Integrated system for the infixion and retrieval of implants

Abstract

Described are coordinated apparatus and methods for drug targeting, clearing the lumen, placing implants within the wall of, and stenting, as necessary, any tubular anatomical structure with single luminal entry. Miniature balls, or miniballs, are introduced into the wall aeroballistically from within the lumen, or small arcuate bands called stays inserted through the outer tunic by means of a hand tool. When miniballs must be placed too closely together to be controlled by hand, a positional control system assists in discharge. Implantation within or proximal to diseased tissue targeting, and thus concentrating the medication in that tissue, miniballs and stays can be used to deliver and controllably release multiple drugs, a radionuclide, or an open or closed loop smart-pill, for example. A glossary of terms follows the specification. Balance of abstract appended to the section entitled Summary of the Invention.