ELECTROOSMOTIC CONVECTION-ENHANCED DELIVERY SYSTEM

• US 20130178788A1
• Filed: 01/10/2013
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Original Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Inventors: JAQUINS-GERSTL, Andrea Smith, Valenta, Alec Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,872,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for electrokinetic transport of fluids to patients. Drug-containing solutions may be placed in vial-like reservoir, which is connected to an apparatus such as a traditional catheter or other device capable of holding a drug-containing solution. Instead of a vial-like reservoir, a doped infusion pad or a gel may be used as a source of the drug-containing solution. The reservoir and apparatus may thus be the same component. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may also be used to transport fluid alone to achieve a clinical effect. The apparatus is placed at the point of drug delivery. The counter-electrode may be placed in or on a patient. Current is passed from the reservoir to the counter-electrode. Through electrokinetic transport, drug-containing solution is delivered along a current path from the drug source to the counter-electrode. A hollow fiber catheter for use in electrokinetic transport is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of administering a drug to a tissue in a subject in need thereof, comprising the steps of:

inserting an apparatus into a target tissue at a first position in said subject, wherein said apparatus is capable of delivering a drug-containing solution to said patient, further wherein said apparatus is connected to a drug-containing reservoir;

placing a counter-electrode in or on said subject at a second position, wherein said drug-containing reservoir and said counter-electrode are operably connected to a current source;

applying a current to said drug-containing reservoir; and

allowing said drug-containing fluid to be transported into said tissue via electrokinetic transport.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is an open tube catheter, an infusion pad, a gel, or a hollow fiber catheter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said tissue is neural tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is chronically implanted in said target tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said second position is located such that a trajectory of said electrokinetic transport is not influenced by the counter-electrode'"'"'s position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a path between said first position and said second position defines a trajectory along which said electrokinetic transport occurs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said drug-containing fluid includes drug in a formulation of nanoparticles or liposomes.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said drug is a small molecule or a peptide.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said small molecule is a chemotherapeutic compound, a local anesthetic, a neurotransmitter, or a steroid.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said peptide is a neurotransmitter, an antibody, or a signaling peptide.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said drug is a positively charged molecule.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said drug is a neutral molecule.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said drug is a negatively charged molecule.

14. A method of administering a fluid to a tissue in a subject in need thereof, comprising the steps of:

inserting an apparatus into a target tissue at a first position in said subject, wherein said apparatus is capable of delivering a fluid-containing solution to said patient, further wherein said apparatus is connected to a fluid-containing reservoir;

placing a counter-electrode in or on said subject at a second position, wherein said fluid-containing reservoir and said counter-electrode are operably connected to a current source;

applying a current to said fluid-containing reservoir; and

allowing said fluid to be transported into said tissue via electrokinetic transport.

14-1. A hollow fiber catheter for use in electrokinetic transport, comprising:

a hollow fiber catheter body, comprising;

a first end of said hollow fiber catheter, wherein said first end includes a path or paths for solution to leave said catheter;

a tube operably connecting said first end to a reservoir located at a second end of said hollow fiber catheter, wherein said reservoir includes a drug-containing solution, wherein said tube allows said drug-containing solution to pass from said reservoir to said first end; and

an electrode compartment comprising buffer solution, wherein said electrode compartment is adapted to accept a terminus of an electrode, wherein said electrode compartment is separated from said reservoir by a barrier that inhibits mixing or solution exchange with the reservoir.

15. The hollow fiber catheter of claim 15, wherein said tube is fabricated from a flexible material.

16. The hollow fiber catheter of claim 15, wherein said barrier is a frit located within said hollow tube catheter body.

17. The hollow fiber catheter of claim 15, wherein said path comprises openings in said first end of said hollow tube catheter.

18. The hollow fiber catheter of claim 15, wherein said path is a permeable membrane in said first end of said hollow tube catheter.