Apparatus and method for administering a therapeutic agent into tissue

• US 20050074501A1
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ActiveO, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Activeo, LLC
• Inventors: Murphy, Kieran, Muto, Mario
• Granted Patent: US 7,615,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/600
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/00 Medicinal preparations containing inorganic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/40 Peroxides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3114 Filling or refilling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3128 Incorporating one-way valves, e.g. pressure-relief or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0216 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/065 Guide needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/28 Syringe ampoules or carpules, i.e. ampoules or carpules provided with a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/04 Centrally acting analgesics, e.g. opioids

Abstract

An apparatus for administering a therapeutic agent is provided. The apparatus, in an embodiment, includes an ozone generator connected to a scavenger and an ozone administrator via network of tubing and valves. When activated and the valves placed in the proper position, the ozone generator will fill the ozone administrator with ozone. The ozone generator can then be turned off and the valves moved so that the administrator can be disconnected from the remainder of the apparatus. The administrator is typically in the form of a syringe and needle. Once the syringe and needle is filled with ozone, the needle can be inserted into a tissue and the ozone expressed therefrom into the tissue. Various other apparatuses and methods are also contemplated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for administering a therapeutic agent comprising:

a therapeutic agent generator;

a scavenger connected to said generator via a first valve for capturing said therapeutic agent; and

a therapeutic agent administrator connectable to said generator via at least one additional valve, such that when said valves are in a first position said generator communicates with said administrator for filling said administrator with said agent and when said valves are in a second position said administrator retains said agent therein upon disconnection from said generator and said scavenger captures any excess agent intermediate said administrator and said generator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said agent is ozone.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ozone is gas and said generator is a medical ozone generator.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said medical ozone is a ratio of oxygen (O₂) and ozone (O₃).

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is about 1 μ

g/ml

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is about 10 μ

g/ml.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is about 20 μ

g/ml.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is about 30 μ

g/ml.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is about 40 μ

g/ml.

10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is about 50 μ

g/ml.

11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is between about 1 μ

g/ml and about 90 μ

g/ml.

12. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is between about 10 μ

g/ml and about 80 μ

g/ml.

13. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is between about 20 μ

g/ml and about 70 μ

g/ml.

14. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is between about 10 μ

g/ml and about 34 μ

g/ml.

15. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratio of oxygen to ozone is between about 27 μ

g/ml to about 28 μ

g/ml.

16. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said administrator is a syringe.

17. A method of treating pain caused by a herniated disc comprising identifying the herniated disk and injecting medical ozone into the disc and paraspinous soft tissues.

18. A syringe for self-contained generation and administration of a therapeutic agent comprising:

a barrel for holding said agent;

a plunger for insertion into a first end of said barrel and expressing said agent from a second end of said barrel;

a power supply integrally mounted coaxially with said plunger;

a therapeutic agent generator integrally mounted coaxially with said plunger and in communication with said barrel through a channel in said plunger, said generator connected to said power supply and mounted coaxially with said plunger;

a switch connected to said power supply such that when said switch is activated said therapeutic agent generator generates said therapeutic agent and fills said barrel therewith.

19. The syringe of claim 18 wherein said agent is ozone.

20. An implantable apparatus for self-contained generation and administration of a therapeutic agent comprising:

a chamber for holding said agent;

a catheter for connecting said chamber to an area for administration of said agent;

a power supply;

a therapeutic agent generator in communication with said chamber, said generator connected to said power supply;

a switch activatable externally by a patient implanted with said apparatus, said apparatus connected to said power supply such that when said switch is activated said therapeutic agent generator generates said therapeutic agent and fills chamber therewith.

21. The syringe of claim 20 wherein said agent is ozone and said therapeutic agent generator is an ozone generator having a supply of oxygen intregally available therewith.

22. A kit of parts for use in administering a therapeutic agent comprising:

a disinfectant;

a drape;

a skin preparation material;

a local anesthetic;

at least one syringe;

at least one of a short and a long needle for use with said syringe;

a gantry drape for shielding a patient in an imaging device;

a radiolucent needle holder;

a nonionic x-ray dye;

an infusion wire;

a therapeutic agent generator and scavenger;

a post-operative dressing for skin closure;

adhesive bandages.