| abstract |
This invention is a method, implant, and delivery system for enhancing blood flow in tissue, wherein an implant (21) is non-ablatively introduced into the tissue in order to stimulate production of angiogenic agents by the tissue. The agents produced by the tissue are absorbed into the implant (21), where they are stored, and the stored agents are released back into the tissue when the production of agents by the tissue subsides. The implant (21) is fabricated of a bio-resorbing material which is resorbed onto the tissue after the agents are released, and is formed in a shape which resists migration within the tissue. The system for inserting the implant into the tissue includes a housing (38), a delivery head (27) which carries the implant, which is movable between extended, retracted positions relative to the housing (38), and actuator (28) mounted in the housing, and a depth gauge (56) mounted to the housing (38). |