Patent ID: 8864703

Claim:
A drug introduction system, comprising: a selectively expandable sleeve having a body portion defined by a first open end and a second open end, wherein the body portion defines a hollow interior therein; the body portion configured to be selectively expandable from a first unexpanded configuration to a second expanded configuration whereby a volume of the hollow interior is increased when the body portion is expanded to the second expanded configuration; and a drug introduction tool comprising a needle housing and a needle shaft, wherein the needle shaft is mounted to the needle housing such that the needle shaft is selectively moveable with respect to the needle housing; wherein the needle shaft further includes a distal piercing tip having an opening therein, whereby the opening is in communication with a drug supply such that introduction of a drug causes the body portion of the sleeve to expand from the first unexpanded configuration to the second expanded configuration, sufficient to temporarily retain a drug therewithin; wherein the first open end of the sleeve is open to allow passage of the distal piercing tip of the needle to exit the sleeve without piercing the sleeve.