| abstract |
An implant and a system for implanting the implant are provided. The implant is formed from a fiber having swelling characteristics which assist in formation of a kinked, coiled and/or entangled bundle. The fiber is advantageously a hydrogel which undergoes radial compression prior to delivery into a target site in tissue. The system includes an introducer having an internal lumen and a constricted discharge orifice. A deformable fiber is slidably contained within the lumen in substantially fluid tight relationship with the discharge orifice. The lumen also contains a fluid which can be gas or liquid. In one embodiment, when pressure is applied to the fluid, the fiber is pushed through the discharge orifice, compressing he fiber in the constricted area. When the fiber passes out of the orifice, it expands radially, thus increasing its diameter. In a preferred embodiment, as the fiber expands, it does so anisotropically, thus causing the fiber to kink and/or coil. Hydraulic or pneumatic pressure generated by the introducer propels the fiber into a target site in tissue. |