Patent ID: 7137969

Claim:
A neural transplantation device for use with a syringe ( 3 ), including a syringe barrel ( 7 ) and plunger ( 12 ), said device comprising: a cannula ( 2 ) adapted for connection to a distal end of the syringe barrel ( 7 ), said cannula ( 2 ) having a single passageway with an open upper end and a lower end defining a blunt closed tip ( 14 ) and having a pair of side port holes ( 15 A),( 15 B) that are diametrically opposed and slightly offset to each other near the vicinity of the cannula tip ( 14 ); a microinjector ( 1 ) adapted for connection to a proximal end of a syringe barrel ( 7 ) and in cooperation with the syringe plunger ( 12 ) for effecting incremental depression of the plunger ( 12 ), said microinjector ( 1 ) comprising a longitudinal hollow cylindrical sleeve ( 4 ) extending into a cylindrical barrel ( 5 ) of larger diameter at the distal end thereof, said sleeve ( 4 ) capable of receiving a syringe plunger ( 12 ), a guide nut ( 8 ) rotatably adjustable within the cylindrical barrel ( 5 ) and adapted to cooperate with the proximal end of the syringe barrel, ( 7 ) and a driver rotatably mounted near the proximal end of the cylindrical sleeve ( 4 ) and adapted to cooperate with the syringe plunger ( 12 ), whereby operation of the microinjector ( 1 ) in combination with the syringe ( 3 ) and the cannula ( 2 ) allows delivery of an injection such that rotation of the driver renders a downward axial force to the plunger ( 12 ) of the syringe ( 3 ) thereby forcing contents of the syringe barrel ( 7 ) through the side port holes ( 15 A),( 15 B) of the cannula ( 2 ); while rotation of the guide nut ( 8 ) in the opposite direction moves the syringe ( 3 ) in an upward axial direction to reposition the cannula ( 2 ); and rotation of the driver and the guide nut ( 8 ) in a repeated manner facilitates sequential delivery of multiple portions of the contents of the syringe barrel ( 7 ) along a single trajectory in a three-dimensional spiral array at a predetermined neural injection site; and whereby upon placement of the cannula ( 2 ) at a predetermined targeted neural site, the microinjector ( 1 ) is capable of effecting incremental depression of the plunger ( 12 ) to result in a metered delivery of the contents of the syringe barrel ( 7 ) through the cannula port holes ( 15 A),( 15 B) at the targeted site.