TECHNIQUES FOR DELIVERY OF STEM CELL AND RELATED THERAPIES TO TREAT CARDIAC CONDITIONS

• US 20100286652A1
• Filed: 07/22/2010
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Koh, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,175,704 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/503
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/125 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3621 for treating or preventing abnormally high heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/371 Capture, i.e. successful stimulation

Abstract

An exemplary method includes acquiring cardiac electrical activity information; detecting cardiac events within the information including T waves, QRS complexes and/or P waves; and calling for delivery of matter to the heart during a period of time based on the cardiac events. The delivery may occur between a detected T wave and its immediately subsequent QRS complex. The matter being delivered may include stem cells, progenitor cells, nutrients and/or drugs.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

acquiring cardiac electrical activity information;

detecting cardiac events within the information including T waves, QRS complexes and/or P waves; and

calling for delivery of matter to the heart wherein delivery occurs between a detected T wave and its immediately subsequent QRS complex and the matter comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of stem cells, progenitor cells, nutrients and drugs.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the acquiring comprises acquiring an ECG.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the acquiring comprises acquiring an EGM.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the acquiring comprises acquiring the EGM using an implantable device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the calling calls for delivery of matter to the heart after the T wave.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the calling calls for delivery of matter to the heart after the T wave and before its immediately subsequent P wave.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a reservoir configured to hold a matter comprising at least one member selected from a group consisting of stem cells, progenitor cells, nutrients and drugs;

a connector port;

a pump configured to pump matter from the reservoir via the connector port;

circuitry configured to acquiring cardiac electrical activity information; and

control logic configured to detect cardiac events within the information including T waves, QRS complexes and/or P waves, and to activate and deactivate the pump so as to deliver matter through the connector port between a detected T wave and its immediately subsequent QRS complex.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the port at its proximal end and having at least one opening at its distal end, the conduit configured for implantation within a heart.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising two electrodes at the distal end of the conduit and in electrical communication with the circuitry.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of prongs projecting from the conduit, one or more of the prongs in fluid communication with one opening.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least two of the prongs have different lengths.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising two electrodes at the distal end of the conduit and in electrical communication with the circuitry wherein the plurality of prongs are positioned between the two electrodes.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the control logic is further configured to measure impedance between the two electrodes and to determine whether the electrodes are in contact with tissue or fluid based on the impedance.