Method and apparatus for inducing the permeation of medication into internal tissue

• US 5,236,413 A
• Filed: 05/07/1990
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew J. Feiring
• Original Assignee: Andrew J. Feiring
• Inventors: Feiring, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/520,033
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 604/20, 604/21, 604/96, 128/783, 128/784, 128/786-788, 128/798, 128/802
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0438 Liquid-filled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0481 through the cuff wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• 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 25/104 used for angioplasty
• 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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selectively treating a targeted portion of internal body tissue of a patient by providing an internal electrode at a point adjacent the tissue to be treated and electrodes external to the patient'"'"'s body. Fluid containing Ionic molecules is supplied to a location between the internal electrode and the external electrodes and an electric field radiating outwardly from the internal electrode to the external electrodes is created so that said fluid flows outwardly away from said internal electrode into the tissue to be treated.

Claims

1. A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of:

generating a polar electric field in which one pole of the field is disposed internally of the targeted portion of the tissue and the return pole is external of the targeted portion of the tissue;

supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the targeted portion of the tissue;

said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the targeted portion of the internal tissue toward the other pole of the field; and

pulsing the electric field in phase with the patient'"'"'s cardiac rhythm.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of generating the polarized electric field comprises:

providing an external electrode and locating the external electrode outside of the patient'"'"'s body;

providing an internally placeable electrode and inserting the internally placeable electrode into the patient and within the targeted portion of the blood vessel whereby the electric field will cause the liquid to permeate the targeted portion of the blood vessel as it advances from the internal electrode toward the external electrode.

3. A method as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein said blood vessel has a natural lumen extending therethrough and where the internal electrode is inserted percutaneously into the lumen.

4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein the step of supplying liquid comprises supplying the liquid to the lumen of the blood vessel.

5. A method as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein the step of supplying said liquid comprises:

providing a catheter having a flexible shaft with proximal and distal ends, means extending along the shaft for delivering liquid from the proximal end to the distal region of the shaft, an internal electrode carried by the catheter at the shaft distal end, and conductor means extending through the catheter shaft and electrically coupled to the internal electrode and percutaneously inserting the catheter into the blood vessel of a patient.

6. A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of:

providing an external electrode and locating the external electrode outside of the patient'"'"'s body;

providing an internally placeable electrode and inserting the internally placeable electrode into an artery of the patient in the region of a stenosis, whereby the electric field will cause the liquid to permeate the stenosis as it advances from the internal electrode toward the external electrode;

supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the stenosis, wherein the liquid includes a compound adapted to treat the region of the stenosis;

said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the stenosis toward the other pole of the field.

7. A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of:

providing an external electrode and locating the external electrode outside of the patient'"'"'s body;

providing an internally placeable electrode and inserting the internally placeable electrode into an artery of the patient in the region of a stenosis treated by an intravascular procedure whereby the electric field will cause the liquid to permeate the stenosis as it advances from the internal electrode toward the external electrode;

supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the stenosis, wherein the liquid medication adapted to retard restenosis;

said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the stenosis toward the other pole of the field.