Catheter systems for delivery of agents and related method thereof

• US 20050245896A1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota), University of Virginia Patent Foundation (University of Virginia)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota), University of Virginia Patent Foundation (University of Virginia)
• Inventors: Kucharczyk, John, Gillies, George T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,670,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/522
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0004 having two or more concentrically arranged tubes for forming a concentric catheter system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0039 characterized by lumina being arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/003 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the distal part of the catheter, e.g. filters, plugs or valves catheter tips A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0032 characterized by at least one unconventionally shaped lumen, e.g. polygons, ellipsoids, wedges or shapes comprising concave and convex parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked

Abstract

A method is disclosed for the delivery of therapeutic agents into tissues, blood vessels, and body ducts of the human body. A novel catheter enables controlled directing of emitted drug delivery to assist control of drug dwell time in targeted areas. One coaxial catheter embodiment provides capability for locating an outer lumen of the system into the target region, with localization of said outer lumen carried out by use of appropriate medical imaging modalities. In one embodiment, an inner lumen of the catheter means is primed with the agent to be delivered, and recirculated flow of the agent through pluralities of appropriately positioned port holes on the two lumens then occurs via one or more active and/or passive flow driving and guiding techniques intrinsic to the design of the coaxial catheter system. Another coaxial catheter embodiment carries and emits agent in an outer cannula and recaptures agent plus liquid or fluids in the body (such as blood, bile, serum, stable (non-flowing) liquid or kinetic liquid) in an inner cannula.

Claims

1. A method of liquid medical treatment agent delivery to a region in a patient comprising:

delivering the agent from a portal from a first fluid pathway in a catheter into a liquid environment within the patient;

allowing the liquid agent to contact a targeted area of treatment within the patient;

capturing at least some agent mixed with said liquid from the environment;

returning at least some captured agent mixed with liquid from the environment to a second fluid pathway in the catheter; and

delivering at least some captured agent mixed with liquid from the environment outside of the catheter so that the captured agent is delivered to the targeted area of treatment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the catheter comprises a coaxial catheter having at least two concentric chambers carrying fluid in the catheter, the at least two chambers comprising an outer chamber and an at least inner chamber.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least an outer chamber comprises the first fluid pathway.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the at least an inner chamber comprises the second fluid pathway.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the catheter has a distal end first inserted into a patient and a proximal end, the catheter having a delivery portal and a capture portal, the delivery portal being closer to the proximal end of the catheter than the capture portal, so that captured fluid flows from a relatively distal region to a relatively proximal region within the at least inner chamber.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the catheter has a distal end first inserted into a patient and a proximal end, the catheter having a delivery portal and a capture portal, the delivery portal being closer to the distal end of the catheter than the capture portal, so that captured fluid flows from a relatively proximal region to a relatively distal region within the at least inner chamber.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein there is an internal transfer portal within the catheter that allows direct mass transfer of captured agent and fluid into the outer chamber, and that at least some transferred captured agent and liquid is delivered through the delivery portal into the liquid environment.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein there is an internal transfer portal within the catheter that allows direct mass transfer of captured agent and fluid into the outer chamber, and that at least some transferred captured agent and liquid is delivered through the delivery portal into the liquid environment.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the catheter is positioned under non-invasive imaging guidance.

10. The method of claim 5 wherein the catheter is positioned near the targeted area of treatment using non-invasive imaging guidance.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid agent comprises a liquid carrier and cells.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid agent comprises a solution of an agent.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the liquid agent is free of a medically active number of cells.

14. A catheter system having a distal insertion end and a proximal end comprising:

at least two internal liquid flow chambers comprising an outer liquid flow chamber and an at least one inner liquid flow chamber;

the outer liquid flow chamber having a fluid delivery component for delivering fluid treatment material from the outer liquid flow chamber into a liquid environment within a patient, the liquid treatment material moving within the catheter system from the proximal end towards the distal end to at least the fluid delivery component;

the at least one inner liquid flow chamber having a fluid capture component for capturing liquid from the liquid environment that contains delivered fluid treatment material;

the fluid capture component having a flow path such that captured liquid from the liquid environment is moved into a proximal position proximally before the fluid delivery component to a transfer component that enables transfer of captured fluid into the outer liquid flow chamber so that at least some transferred captured liquid introduced into the outer liquid flow chamber can be delivered through the delivery component into the liquid environment.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein liquid delivered through the fluid delivery component is delivered into a moving fluid environment that carries liquid in a proximal to distal direction, and the flow path of the captured liquid is initially in a distal to proximal direction.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein liquid delivered through the fluid delivery component is delivered into a moving fluid environment that carries liquid in a distal to proximal distal direction, and the flow path of the captured liquid is initially in a proximal to distal direction.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein a pump is connected to the outer flow chamber to control pressure levels in the outer flow chamber.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein sensors are present in the catheter that provide information to a processor that controls the pump, the processor automatically adjusting operation parameters of the pump in response to information from the sensors.

19. The system of claim 14 in which the outer and inner tubes coupled fluid-mechanically by a sealing ring or baffle.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein at least one microcoil system is attached to the catheter.

21. A catheter system having a distal insertion end and a proximal end comprising:

at least two internal liquid flow chambers comprising an outer liquid flow chamber and an at least one inner liquid flow chamber;

the inner liquid flow chamber having a fluid delivery component for delivering fluid treatment material from the inner liquid flow chamber into a liquid environment within a patient, the liquid treatment material moving within the catheter system from the proximal end towards the distal end to at least the fluid delivery component;

the at least one outer liquid flow chamber having a fluid capture component for capturing liquid from the liquid environment that contains delivered fluid treatment material;

the fluid capture component having a flow path such that captured liquid from the liquid environment is moved into a proximal position proximally before the fluid delivery component to a transfer component that enables transfer of captured fluid into the inner liquid flow chamber so that at least some transferred captured liquid introduced into the inner liquid flow chamber can be delivered through the delivery component into the liquid environment.