Method for convection enhanced delivery catheter to treat brain and other tumors

• US 20030045866A1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Petersen, Daryle Lee
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50

Abstract

A method is provided for delivering a therapeutic agent to selected sites within an organism. More particularly, the invention allows for the simultaneous delivery of therapeutics to multiple treatment locations from a single catheter using a single pumping source. The catheter utilizes a microporous membrane that allows for the distribution of therapeutic agents from multiple longitudinal positions.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a selected site within an organism, comprising the steps of:

identifying the selected site for delivering the therapeutic agent;

selecting a catheter comprising a tubular section having a solid section and a microporous membrane section;

placing the catheter in the organism so that the diffusion section is placed at the selected site;

coupling the catheter to a pump for delivering the therapeutic agent to the selected site; and

actuating the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the selected site.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the catheter microporous membrane section further comprises, a first end and a second end, the first end and second end coupled to the solid section forming a continuous cross section of the tubular section.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the catheter solid tubular section comprises a radio opaque material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump is an implantable pump.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump is an external pump.

6. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to selected sites within an organism, comprising the steps of:

identifying the selected sites for delivering the therapeutic agent;

selecting at least two catheters comprising a tubular section having a solid section and a microporous membrane section;

placing the catheters in the organism so that the diffusion sections are located at the selected sites;

connecting each catheter proximal end to a manifold,

coupling the manifold to a pump for delivering the therapeutic agent to the selected sites; and

actuating the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the selected sites.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the catheter microporous membrane section further comprises, a first end and a second end, the first end and second end coupled to the solid section forming a continuous cross section of the tubular section.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the catheter solid tubular section comprises a radio opaque material.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the pump is an implantable pump.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the pump is an external pump.

11. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to selected sites within an organism, comprising the steps of:

identifying the selected sites for delivering the therapeutic agent;

selecting a catheter having a solid section and at least two diffusion sections, the diffusion sections longitudinally aligned from the distal end corresponding to the selected sites;

placing the catheter in the organism so that the diffusion sections are placed at the selected sites;

coupling the catheter to a pump for delivering the therapeutic agent to the selected sites; and

actuating the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the selected sites.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the catheter diffusion sections are microporous membrane sections.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the catheter diffusion sections further comprise, a first end and a second end, the first end and second end coupled to the solid section forming a continuous cross section of the tubular section.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the catheter solid tubular section comprises a radio opaque material.

15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the catheter tubular section further comprises, an outer tubular wall and an inner tubular wall, the outer tubular wall having at least one opening within the diffusion sections though to the inner tubular wall, the inner tubular wall lined with a microporous membrane.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the catheter microporous membrane is located at the diffusion sections.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the pump is an implantable pump.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the pump is an external pump.

21. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to selected sites within an organism, comprising the steps of:

identifying the selected sites for delivering the therapeutic agent;

selecting at least two catheters each catheter comprising a tubular section having a solid section and a diffusion area, and an outer tubular wall and an inner tubular wall, the outer tubular wall having at least one opening through to the inner tubular wall, the inner tubular wall lined with a microporous membrane;

placing each catheter in the organism so that the diffusion sections are located at the selected sites;

connecting each catheter proximal end to a manifold,

coupling the manifold to a pump for delivering the therapeutic agent to the selected sites; and

actuating the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the selected sites.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the catheter solid tubular section comprises a radio opaque material.

23. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the catheter microporous membrane is located in the diffusion area.

24. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

25. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the pump is an implantable pump.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the pump is an external pump.

28. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a selected site within an organism, comprising the steps of:

identifying the selected site for delivering the therapeutic agent;

selecting a catheter the catheter comprising a tubular section having a solid section and a diffusion area, and an outer tubular wall and an inner tubular wall, the outer tubular wall having at least one opening through to the inner tubular wall, the inner tubular wall lined with a microporous;

placing the catheter in the organism so that the diffusion section is placed at the selected site;

coupling the catheter to a pump for delivering the therapeutic agent to the selected site; and

actuating the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the selected site.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the catheter solid tubular section comprises a radio opaque material.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the catheter microporous membrane is located in the diffusion area.

31. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

32. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the pump is an implantable pump.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the pump is an external pump.

35. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to selected sites within an organism, comprising the steps of:

identifying the selected sites for delivering the therapeutic agent;

selecting at least two catheters each having a proximal end and a distal end, and a solid section and at least two diffusion sections, the diffusion sections longitudinally aligned from the distal end corresponding to the selected sites;

placing each catheter in the organism so that the diffusion sections are located at the selected sites;

connecting each catheter proximal end to a manifold, coupling the manifold to a pump for delivering the therapeutic agent to the selected sites; and

actuating the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the selected sites.

36. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the catheter diffusion sections are microporous membrane sections.

37. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein the catheter diffusion section further comprises, a first end and a second end, the first end and second end coupled to the solid section forming a continuous cross section of the tubular section.

38. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the catheter solid tubular section comprises a radio opaque material.

39. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the catheter tubular section further comprises, an outer tubular wall and an inner tubular wall, the outer tubular wall having at least one opening within the diffusion sections through to the inner tubular wall, the inner tubular wall lined with a microporous membrane.

40. The method as recited in claim 39, wherein the catheter microporous membrane is located at the diffusion sections.

41. The method as recited in claim 39, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

42. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein the catheter microporous membrane further comprises, an outer area and an inner area, the outer area having an interference fit with the inner tubular wall.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein the pump is an implantable pump.

44. The method of claim 35, wherein the pump is an external pump.