Systems and methods for treating ischemia

• US 6,689,121 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1998
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Cafferata, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Application Number:
  US09/159,834
• Time in Patent Office: 1,965 Days
• Field of Search: 424/426, 424/423, 424/424, 604/892.1, 604/890.1, 604/891.1
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/18 Growth factors; Growth regulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/191 Tumor necrosis factors [TNF], e.g. lymphotoxin [LT], i.e. TNF-beta
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027

Abstract

A system and method for implanting pellets into myocardial tissue for treatment of coronary artery restenosis, ischemic heart disease, or cardiac conduction of disturbances. The mechanism of delivery can be transcatheter via chambers of the heart, endoscopic pericardial approach via minimally invasive transthoracic access, or intraoperative pericardial approach during open-chest surgery. Noncardiac tissues can also be treated.

Claims

1. A therapeutic agent delivery apparatus and at least two therapeutic agents for delivery to tissue comprising:

a body formed of a biocompatible material containing at least two reservoirs each containing one of the therapeutic agents and being permeable to at least one therapeutic agent,

wherein the first therapeutic agent contains the agent capable of promoting angiogenesis, and

wherein the second therapeutic agent contains cells adapted for implantation in said tissue.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said biocompatible material comprises a drug releasing compound capable of releasing at least one therapeutic agent.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said drug releasing compound is capable of releasing at least one therapeutic agent capable of promoting angiogenesis.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said biocompatible material is a bioresorbable material.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body includes at least a first and a second member, each having a respective one of said first and said second therapeutic agents.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one reservoir contains molecular ligands, said ligands possessing specific affinity for cell surface markers expressed on circulating myocyte precursor cells, whereby said myocyte precursor cells become affixed within said reservoir.

7. A therapeutic agent delivery apparatus and at least one therapeutic agent for delivery to tissue comprising:

a pellet formed from a biocompatible material with a plurality of surfaces for contacting the tissues to promote localized angiogenesis,

a reservoir disposed within said pellet adapted for delivering cells capable of implantation in the tissue, and

skeletal myoblast-derived cells capable of implantation in the tissue carried by the reservoir.

13. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said biocompatible material comprises a drug releasing compound capable of releasing at least one therapeutic agent.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said drug releasing compound is capable of releasing at least one therapeutic agent capable of promoting angiogenesis.

15. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said biocompatible material is a bioresorbable material.

8. A therapeutic agent delivery apparatus and at least one therapeutic agent for delivery to tissue comprising:

a pellet formed from a biocompatible material with a plurality of surfaces for contacting the tissues to promote localized angiogenesis,

a reservoir disposed within said pellet adapted for delivering cells capable of implantation in the tissue, and

cardiomyocyte cells capable of implantation in the tissue carried by the reservoir.

9. A therapeutic agent delivery apparatus and at least one therapeutic agent for delivery to tissue comprising:

a pellet formed from a biocompatible material with a plurality of surfaces for contacting the tissues to promote localized angiogenesis,

a reservoir disposed within said pellet adapted for delivering cells capable of implantation in the tissue, and

precursors to cardiomyocyte cells capable of implantation in the tissue carried by the reservoir.

10. A therapeutic agent delivery apparatus and at least one therapeutic agent for delivery to tissue comprising:

a pellet formed from a biocompatible material with a plurality of surfaces for contacting the tissues to promote localized angiogenesis,

a reservoir disposed within said pellet adapted for delivering cells capable of implantation in the tissue, and

genetically modified fibroblast cells capable of implantation in the tissue carried by the reservoir.

11. A therapeutic agent delivery apparatus and at least one therapeutic agent for delivery to tissue comprising:

a pellet formed from a biocompatible material with a plurality of surfaces for contacting the tissues to promote localized angiogenesis,

a reservoir disposed within said pellet adapted for delivering cells capable of implantation in the tissue, and

precursors to fibroblast cells capable of implantation in the tissue carried by the reservoir.

12. A therapeutic agent delivery apparatus and at least one therapeutic agent for delivery to tissue comprising:

a pellet formed from a biocompatible material with a plurality of surfaces for contacting the tissues to promote localized angiogenesis,

a reservoir disposed within said pellet adapted for delivering cells capable of implantation in the tissue, and

bone marrow stromal cells capable of implantation in the tissue carried by the reservoir.