Devices and methods for delivering a drug
First Claim
1. An apparatus for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body tissue, comprising:
- an elongate jacket having (i) proximal and distal ends, (ii) one or more lumens extending between said ends, and (Iii) a substantially blunt, distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports communicating with one or more of said lumens;
with each of said outlet ports having a diameter of about 0.025″
or less; and
a pressure-control source adapted for fluid communication with one or more of said lumens, said source being operable to establish an elevated pressure within such lumen(s) such that an agent placed therein will be propelled toward, and out of, one or more of said outlet ports, thereby forming one or more respective fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue disposed adjacent thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for the needleless delivery of selected agents to target tissues within a subject body by providing the agents in one or more high-energy jets or streams directed against selected wall or surface regions of such tissues. One general embodiment of the apparatus includes (i) an elongate jacket having (a) proximal and distal ends, (b) a lumen extending between such ends, and (c) a blunt, distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the lumen; (ii) an introduction port for feeding such agent(s) into the lumen; and (iii) a pump communicating with a proximal end of the jacket. The pump is operable to generate an increased pressure within the lumen such that an agent introduced therein will be propelled out of the distal outlet port(s), thereby forming respective high-energy, narrow, fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue. In an exemplary use, wherein a patient'"'"'s heart is treated with an agent for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue, the distal end of the jacket is positioned adjacent a selected region of the heart wall, and high-energy fluid jets are directed thereagainst in a manner effective to penetrate the wall, thereby delivering the agent into the myocardium.
123 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body tissue, comprising:
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an elongate jacket having (i) proximal and distal ends, (ii) one or more lumens extending between said ends, and (Iii) a substantially blunt, distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports communicating with one or more of said lumens;
with each of said outlet ports having a diameter of about 0.025″
or less; and
a pressure-control source adapted for fluid communication with one or more of said lumens, said source being operable to establish an elevated pressure within such lumen(s) such that an agent placed therein will be propelled toward, and out of, one or more of said outlet ports, thereby forming one or more respective fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue disposed adjacent thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body tissue, comprising:
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an elongate jacket having (i) proximal and distal ends, (ii) a lumen at least along the distal end of said jacket, and (iii) a distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports communicating with said lumen;
an agent-holding region adapted for fluid communication with said lumen; and
means for moving such aged it(s) from said holding region and through said outlet port(s) in a fashion effective to cause the agent(s) to penetrate a selected tissue disposed adjacent thereto. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body organ or tissue, comprising:
directing one or more fluid jets or streams against a wall or surface of a selected, internal body organ or tissue, with each jet or stream (i) carrying such agent(s), (ii) having a maximum diameter of about 0.025″
, or less, as it contacts the wall or surface, and (iii) having an energy sufficient to permit the agent(s) to penetrate the organ or tissue to a depth of at least about 2 mm.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification