Method and device for electrochemical formation of therapeutic species in vivo

US 20040230225A1
Filed: 11/19/2003
Published: 11/18/2004
Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2001
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A method of producing a therapeutic agent in a body, the method comprising implanting an active metal in a tissue, for electrochemically converting at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent.

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Abstract

A device and method are provided for spontaneous electrochemical production of therapeutic species, in vivo. An active metal is implanted in the tissue. The metal undergoes corrosion, thus acting as a reducing agent to constituents in the tissue, so as to cause these constituents to form the therapeutic agents.

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127 Claims

1. A method of producing a therapeutic agent in a body, the method comprising implanting an active metal in a tissue, for electrochemically converting at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
- - 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrochemically converting at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises direct conversion.
  - 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrochemically converting at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises indirect conversion.
  - 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one substance is a normal body fluid constituent.
  - 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said normal body fluid constituent is selected from the group consisting of water, molecular oxygen, nitrite and nitrate ions and L-arginine.
  - 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body.
  - 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a diet.
  - 8. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a medical administration.
  - 9. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of nitrite ion, nitrate ions, and a combination thereof.
  - 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is an oxidizing agent.
  - 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is the vasodilating agent, nitric oxide.
  - 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said active metal comprises zinc.
  - 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said active metal comprises iron.
  - 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said stent.
  - 18. The method of claim 15, wherein said uncoated portion is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said stent includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.
  - 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said stent is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 21. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 22. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 24. The method of claim 22, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said anchor.
  - 25. The method of claim 22, wherein said uncoated portion is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 26. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said anchor includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.
  - 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said anchor is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a blood vessel.
  - 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a renal artery.
  - 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue a brain tissue.
  - 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a cancerous tissue.
  - 32. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a blood vessel feeding a cancerous tissue.
  - 33. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a blood vessel feeding a tissue for which therapeutic treatment is desired.

34. A method of producing an oxidizing agent in a body, the method comprising implanting an active metal in the body, for electrochemically converting at least one substance, present in the body, into the oxidizing agent.
- View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
- - 35. The method of claim 34, wherein said electrochemically converting said at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises direct conversion.
  - 36. The method of claim 34, wherein said electrochemically converting said at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises indirect conversion.
  - 37. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one substance is a normal body fluid constituent.
  - 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said normal body fluid constituent is selected from the group consisting of water and molecular oxygen.
  - 39. The method of claim 34, wherein said active metal comprises zinc.
  - 40. The method of claim 34, wherein said active metal comprises iron.
  - 41. The method of claim 34, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 42. The method of claim 34, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 43. The method of claim 42, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 44. The method of claim 42, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said stent.
  - 45. The method of claim 34, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said stent includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.
  - 46. The method of claim 34, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 47. The method of claim 34, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 48. The method of claim 47, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 49. The method of claim 47, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said anchor.
  - 50. The method of claim 34, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said anchor includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.

51. A method of reducing cell proliferation in a tissue, the method comprising implanting an active metal in the tissue, for electrochemically converting at least one substance, present in the body fluid, into an oxidizing agent, in an amount sufficient for reducing cell proliferation in the tissue.
- View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
- - 52. The method of claim 51, wherein said electrochemically converting said at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises direct conversion.
  - 53. The method of claim 51, wherein said electrochemically converting said at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises indirect conversion.
  - 54. The method of claim 51, wherein said at least one substance is a normal body fluid constituent.
  - 55. The method of claim 54, wherein said normal body fluid constituent is selected from the group consisting of water, and molecular oxygen.
  - 56. The method of claim 51, wherein said active metal comprises zinc.
  - 57. The method of claim 51, wherein said active metal comprises iron.
  - 58. The method of claim 51, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 59. The method of claim 51, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 60. The method of claim 59, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 61. The method of claim 59, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said stent.
  - 62. The method of claim 51, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said stent includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.
  - 63. The method of claim 51, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 64. The method of claim 51, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 65. The method of claim 64, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 66. The method of claim 64, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said anchor.
  - 67. The method of claim 51, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said anchor includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.

68. A method of producing nitric oxide in a body, the method comprising implanting an active metal in a tissue, for electrochemically converting at least one substance present in the body fluid into the nitric oxide.
- View Dependent Claims (69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89)
- - 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the nitric oxide is operative as the vasodilating agent, nitric oxide.
  - 70. The method of claim 68, wherein said electrochemically converting said at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises direct conversion.
  - 71. The method of claim 68, wherein said electrochemically converting said at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent comprises indirect conversion.
  - 72. The method of claim 68, wherein said at least one substance is a normal body fluid constituent.
  - 73. The method of claim 72, wherein said normal body fluid constituent is selected from the group consisting of nitrite and nitrate ions and L-arginine.
  - 74. The method of claim 68, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body.
  - 75. The method of claim 74, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a diet.
  - 76. The method of claim 74, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a medical administration.
  - 77. The method of claim 74, wherein said at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of nitrite ion, nitrate ions, and a combination thereof.
  - 78. The method of claim 68, wherein said active metal comprises zinc.
  - 79. The method of claim 68, wherein said active metal comprises iron.
  - 80. The method of claim 68, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 81. The method of claim 68, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 82. The method of claim 81, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 83. The method of claim 81, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said stent.
  - 84. The method of claim 68, wherein said implanting comprises implanting a stent formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said stent includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.
  - 85. The method of claim 68, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 86. The method of claim 68, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 87. The method of claim 86, wherein said implanting further comprises implanting said portion coated with said active metal, downstream of the uncoated portion, so that the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, will migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 88. The method of claim 86, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said anchor.
  - 89. The method of claim 68, wherein said implanting comprises implanting an anchor formed of a biologically inert material, wherein said anchor includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.

90. A medical implant for producing a therapeutic agent in a body, the medical implant comprising an active metal for electrochemically converting in a body fluid stream environment, at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent.
- View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113)
- - 91. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said at least one substance is a normal body fluid constituent.
  - 92. The medical implant of claim 91, wherein said normal body fluid constituent is selected from the group consisting of water, molecular oxygen, nitrite and nitrate ions and L-arginine.
  - 93. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body.
  - 94. The medical implant of claim 93, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a diet.
  - 95. The medical implant of claim 93, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a medical administration.
  - 96. The medical implant of claim 95, wherein said at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of nitrite ion, nitrate ions, and a combination thereof.
  - 97. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein the therapeutic agent is an oxidizing agent.
  - 98. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein the therapeutic agent is the vasodilating agent, nitric oxide.
  - 99. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said active metal comprises zinc.
  - 100. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said active metal comprises iron.
  - 101. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said medical implant comprises a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 102. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said medical implant comprises a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 103. The medical implant of claim 102, wherein said uncoated portion is disposed so as to be downstream of said active metal, for the therapeutic agents, produced at the cathode, to migrate downstream with the body fluid, to effect therapy at the anode as well.
  - 104. The medical implant of claim 102, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said stent.
  - 105. The medical implant of claim 102, wherein said uncoated portion is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 106. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said medical implant comprises a stent formed of a biologically inert metal, and wherein said stent includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.
  - 107. The medical implant of claim 106, wherein said stent is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 108. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said medical implant comprises an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, fully coated with said active metal.
  - 109. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said medical implant comprises an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, having:
    - a portion coated with said active metal, operative as an anode; and
      
      an uncoated portion, operative as a cathode.
  - 110. The medical implant of claim 109, wherein said coated and uncoated portions are equally distributed along the length and width of said anchor.
  - 111. The medical implant of claim 110, wherein said uncoated portion is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 112. The medical implant of claim 90, wherein said medical implant comprises an anchor formed of a biologically inert metal, and wherein said anchor includes a piece of said active metal attached thereto.
  - 113. The medical implant of claim 112, wherein said anchor is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.

114. An implanted vessel, comprising an active metal, for electrochemically converting in a body fluid stream environment, at least one substance present in the body fluid into the therapeutic agent.
- View Dependent Claims (115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127)
- - 115. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein said at least one substance is a normal body fluid constituent.
  - 116. The implanted vessel of claim 115, wherein said normal body fluid constituent is selected from the group consisting of water, molecular oxygen, nitrite and nitrate ions and L-arginine.
  - 117. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body.
  - 118. The implanted vessel of claim 117, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a diet.
  - 119. The implanted vessel of claim 117, wherein said at least one substance is administered to the body through a medical administration.
  - 120. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein said at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of nitrite ion, nitrate ions, and a combination thereof.
  - 121. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein the therapeutic agent is an oxidizing agent.
  - 122. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein the therapeutic agent is the vasodilating agent, nitric oxide.
  - 123. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein said active metal comprises zinc.
  - 124. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein said active metal comprises iron.
  - 125. The implanted vessel of claim 114, wherein said implanted vessel comprises a second metal, operative as a cathode.
  - 126. The implanted vessel of claim 125, wherein said second metal is further operative as a catalyst to the conversion.
  - 127. The implanted vessel of claim 125, wherein said active metal is external to said implanted vessel.

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Current Assignee
Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
Original Assignee
Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
Inventors
Penner, Avi, Gileadi, Eilezer

Granted Patent

US 7,727,221 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

607/3
CPC Class Codes

A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or ...

Method and device for electrochemical formation of therapeutic species in vivo

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

61 Citations

127 Claims

Specification

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Method and device for electrochemical formation of therapeutic species in vivo

First Claim

1 Assignment

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

61 Citations

127 Claims

Specification

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Use Cases

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