APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATING TISSUE USING PASSIVE INJECTION SYSTEMS

• US 20110152833A1
• Filed: 12/23/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies, LLC (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Nexeon Medsystems
• Inventors: Bates, Mark C.
• Application Number:
  US12/978,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20110152833A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• 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: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3411 with a plurality of holes, e.g. holes in matrix arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3287 Accessories for bringing the needle into the body; Automatic needle insertion A61M5/20, A61M5/31525 take precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for treating damaged tissue using apparatus that atraumatically delivers a bioactive agent within the tissue, wherein the apparatus provides a column of stem cells may be advanced simultaneously with a needle during needle insertion, and then held stationary or injected at low pressure while retracting the needle. Alternatively, the needle may employ electromotive forces, or to change a dimension of the needle, to expel the bioactive agent into the needle track.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. A method of atraumatically depositing a bioactive agent into a spinal cord, the method comprising:

removing an amount of cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal cord; and

depositing an amount of a bioactive agent into the spinal cord,

wherein the amount of cerebrospinal fluid is substantially equivalent to the amount of the bioactive agent.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the bioactive agent comprises stem cells.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing a device for depositing the bioactive agent atraumatically without inflicting barotrauma on the stem cells.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the device comprises a first needle configured to deposit the amount of the bioactive agent.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the device comprises:

a first needle configured to deposit a first portion of the amount of the bioactive agent substantially equivalent to a first portion of the amount of cerebrospinal fluid removed.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the device further comprises:

a second needle configured to deposit a second portion of the amount of the bioactive agent substantially equivalent to a second portion of the amount of cerebrospinal fluid removed.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first needle has a predetermined length different from a predetermined length of the second needle.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the depositing comprises depositing the first portion of the of amount of the bioactive agent at a first depth within the spinal cord;

and

depositing the second portion of the of amount of the bioactive agent at a second depth within the spinal cord,

wherein the first depth is different from the second depth.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second needles are configured to deposit the bioactive agent at substantially the same time.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing a grid having a block with a plurality of through-holes,

wherein a first through-hole is configured to receive the first needle and a second through-hole is configured to receive the second needle.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising, after the depositing, repositioning the grid and then repeating the depositing.

33. A method of atraumatically depositing a bioactive agent into a spinal cord, the method comprising:

removing a first amount of cerebrospinal fluid from a first side of the spinal cord; and

depositing a first amount of a bioactive agent into the first side of the spinal cord,

wherein the first amount of cerebrospinal fluid is substantially equivalent to the first amount of the bioactive agent.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

removing a second amount of cerebrospinal fluid from a second side of the spinal cord; and

depositing a second amount of a bioactive agent into the second side of the spinal cord,

wherein the second amount of cerebrospinal fluid is substantially equivalent to the second amount of the bioactive agent.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the first side of the spinal cord is approximately opposite the second side of the spinal cord.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the first amount is different from the second amount.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the bioactive agent comprises stem cells.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing a device for depositing the bioactive agent atraumatically without inflicting barotrauma on the stem cells.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the device comprises:

a first needle configured to deposit a first portion of the amount of the bioactive agent substantially equivalent to a first portion of the amount of cerebrospinal fluid removed.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the device further comprises:

a second needle configured to deposit a second portion of the amount of the bioactive agent substantially equivalent to a second portion of the amount of cerebrospinal fluid removed.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

providing a grid having a block with a plurality of through-holes, wherein a first through-hole is configured to receive the first needle and a second through-hole is configured to receive the second needle;

positioning the grid adjacent to the first side of the spinal before depositing the first amount of the bioactive agent; and

then repositioning the grid adjacent to the second side of the spinal cord before depositing the second amount of the bioactive agent.