Patent ID: 6899105

Claim:
A cartridge apparatus for use in treating an airway condition of a patient and for use in combination with a handle sized to be hand-grasped by an operator and having an actuator to be selectively actuated by said operator, said cartridge comprising: an elongated implant of biocompatible material sized to be embedded within a tissue of said airway; a needle having a distal tip for penetrating into said tissue, said needle having an axially extending bore; at least one of needle marking on said needle near said distal tip and positioned to indicate a depth of penetration of said distal tip into a tissue and a location of said implant; said implant disposed within said bore at said distal tip; said cartridge having a proximal end adapted to be coupled to said handle for said implant to be ejected from said distal tip upon actuation of said actuator; at least one handle marking on said handle in proximity with said actuator, said handle markings corresponding to said needle marking and positioned to illustrate a degree of exposure of said implant from said distal tip in response to a movement of said actuator.