Apparatus and method for delivery of surgical and therapeutic agents

• US 5,999,847 A
• Filed: 10/21/1997
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John A. Elstrom
• Original Assignee: John A. Elstrom
• Inventors: Elstrom, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynn Wood
• Assistant Examiner(s): Finkel, Sharon
• Application Number:
  US08/955,350
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19-22, 606/7, 606/15, 606/16, 606/9, 607/88, 607/89
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00765 Decreasing the barrier function of skin tissue by radiated energy, e.g. using ultrasound, using laser for skin perforation
• 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

Abstract

Localized, transient pressure waves are applied to tissue adjacent to target cells by means of a light source and a coupling interface placed in contact with the tissue that converts light from the light source into acoustic energy. The pressure waves cause transient poration of the cell membranes. The therapeutic agents are delivered to the site of the localized pressure waves by any suitable means, such as by injection with a needle. The light source and coupling interface can be incorporated into a catheter for application of the pressure waves to diseased blood vessels. A manually manipulable surgical device incorporating a needle for injecting the agent, light source, and coupling interface is also described.

Claims

1. A device for delivering genetic material into the interior of cells of body for the purpose of expression of a protein by said cells, said device for use in conjunction with a source of said genetic material delivered to tissue of said body in the vicinity of said cells, comprising:

a light source emitting radiation;

a coupling interface receiving said radiation from said light source, said radiation and coupling interface cooperating to responsively generate a localized, transient pressure wave in tissue in said body at an intensity level so as to cause a transient poration of the membrane of said cells without permanently lysing or damaging said cells;

said light source and coupling interface operative to produce said localized, transient pressure wave when they are positioned adjacent to said body such that said coupling interface is in contact with said body,

wherein said transient poration of said membrane of said cells permits said genetic material to be assimilated into said cells; and

wherein said genetic material is coated to particulates, and wherein said pressure wave accelerates said particulates into said cells thereby delivering said genetic material into said cells.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said particulates are selected from the group consisting of gold and tungsten particulates.

3. A device for delivering genetic material into the interior of skin cells of a body in a manner so as to not cause any permanent damage to said skin cells and allow said skin cells to express a protein associated with said genetic material, said genetic material delivered to tissue of said body in the vicinity of said skin cells, comprising:

a light source emitting radiation;

a coupling medium placed on the surface of the skin, said coupling medium receiving said radiation from said light source, said radiation and coupling interface cooperating to responsively generate a localized, transient pressure wave in said tissue in said body at an intensity level so as to cause a transient poration of the membrane of said cells without permanently damaging said cells;

wherein said transient poration of said membrane of said cells permits said genetic material to be introduced within and assimilated into said cell; and

wherein said genetic material is bonded to particulates and wherein said genetic material is introduced within and assimilated into said cell in a condition bonded to said particulates.

4. A device for delivering genetic material into the interior of skin cells of a body in a manner so as to not cause any permanent damage to said skin cells and allow said skin cells to express a protein associated with said genetic material, said genetic material delivered to tissue of said body in the vicinity of said skin cells, comprising:

a light source emitting radiation;

a coupling medium placed on the surface of the skin, said coupling medium receiving said radiation from said light source, said radiation and coupling interface cooperating to responsively generate a localized, transient pressure wave in said tissue in said body at an intensity level so as to cause a transient poration of the membrane of said cells without permanently damaging said cells;

wherein said transient poration of said membrane of said cells permits said genetic material to be introduced within and assimilated into said cell; and

wherein said genetic material is bonded to particulates selected from the group of gold and tungsten particulates and wherein said genetic material is introduced within and assimilated into said cell in a condition bonded to said particulates.