Catheter drug delivery system and method for use

• US 20020120250A1
• Filed: 02/12/2002
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BioCardia, Inc
• Original Assignee: BioCardia, Inc
• Inventors: Altman, Peter A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,569,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0036 with more than four lumina
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/004 characterized by lumina being arranged circumferentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0086 the needles having bent tips, i.e. the needle distal tips are angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0084 being one or more injection needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0144 having flexible regions as a result of inner reinforcement means, e.g. struts or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

A catheter system for injecting therapeutic agents including large molecules into the body. The catheter includes a distensible penetrating element with a distally locating expansion coil and a distally located chamber for holding a therapeutic agent which is to be injected into the body.

Claims

1. A method of delivering therapeutic agents through a catheter to the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter comprising;

an outer catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end;

a penetrating tubular element disposed within the distal end of the outer catheter body, said penetrating element being longitudinally movable relative to the outer catheter body;

a delivery tube running from the proximal end of the outer catheter body from the proximal end to the distal end of the outer catheter body and in communication with the penetrating tubular element;

a distensible conduit which connects the penetrating element to the delivery tube, said distensible element permitting longitudinal movement of the penetrating element relative to the delivery tube; and

inserting the catheter into the patient such that the penetrating tubular element is capable of delivering the therapeutic agent to a desired location within the heart of the patient; and

delivering the therapeutic agent to the desired location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of about one minute.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of several minutes.

4. A method of delivering therapeutic agents through a catheter to a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter comprising;

a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end;

a chamber for holding a therapeutic agent, the chamber disposed within the distal end of the catheter, the chamber having a self-sealing wall which is penetrable by an injection needle;

a penetrating element extending distally from the chamber;

a pressure source for forcing the therapeutic agent out of the chamber through the penetrating element;

injecting the therapeutic agent into the chamber; and

inserting the catheter into the patient such that the penetrating tubular element is capable of delivering the therapeutic agent to a desired location; and

delivering the therapeutic agent to the desired location.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of about one minute.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of time of several minutes.