Methods and apparatus for perfusing tissue and/or stimulating revascularization and tissue growth

• US 6,363,938 B2
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Angiotrax, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Angiotrax, Inc.
• Inventors: Saadat, Vahid, Ream, John H., Kermode, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US09/219,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 606/192-200, 606/167, 606/185, 606/109, 604/500, 604/507, 604/508, 604/104-109, 623/1.1, 623/1.11, 623/1.15, 623/1.16, 623/1.23, 623/1.39
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2493 Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/94 Stents retaining their form, i.e. not being deformable, after placement in the predetermined place
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a channel in an organ or vessel to enhance perfusion therein. The apparatus may include a bioactive agent to stimulate tissue growth and vascularization in tissue adjacent to the channel. The apparatus includes a stent, suitable for percutaneous or intraoperative placement, that includes a tubular member having a plurality of tines, barbs, ribs or other structure to secure the stent at a desired position within tissue.

Claims

1. A method of implanting a plurality of stents within myocardial tissue to enhance perfusion therein, comprising:

providing a plurality of stents, each stent comprising a tubular member having first and second ends, the first end configured to pierce myocardial tissue, and means for retaining the tubular member within the myocardial tissue;

providing a delivery system comprising a catheter having a lumen;

mounting the plurality of stents in an end-to-end arrangement within the catheter;

positioning the first end of a distal-most one of the plurality of stents at a first desired implantation site;

piercing the myocardial tissue with at least the first end of the stent by applying force to the second end of the stent, thereby ejecting the stent from the catheter and implanting the stent within the myocardial tissue;

engaging the means for retaining with the myocardial tissue to retain the stent in position; and

repositioning the catheter at successive desired implantation sites to implant successive ones of the plurality of stents.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

stimulating revascularization or tissue regeneration using a bioactive agent eluted from the plurality of stents.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein each tubular member further comprises a flange projecting from the second end, the method further comprising:

when the flange abuts against an endocardial tissue surface, ceasing application of force to the second end of the stent.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein positioning the first end of a distal-most one of the plurality of stents at a first desired implantation site comprises:

inserting the delivery system percutaneously to position the first end of a distal-most one of the plurality of stents at the first desired implantation site.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein the tubular member comprises a bore having an inlet end and an outlet end, and wherein implanting the stent within the myocardial tissue causes the outlet end to pierce an epicardial artery, so that blood passes through the bore from a cardiac chamber and into the epicardial artery.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein positioning the first end of a distal-most one of the plurality of stents a first desired implantation site comprises:

inserting the delivery system intraoperatively to position the first end of a distal-most one of the plurality of stents at an implantation site.