Devices and methods for treating tissue

• US 6,719,805 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Ahern, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GHERBI, SUZETTE JAIME J
• Application Number:
  US09/328,808
• Time in Patent Office: 1,770 Days
• Field of Search: 623/23-1-
• US Class Current: 623/23.74
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00575 for closure at remote site, e.g. closing atrial septum defects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/02 Prostheses implantable into the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2493 Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 21/00 Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods for treating biological tissue. The treatment comprise implanting a scaffold implant device into in combination with a therapeutic material such as cells, tissue or cell components. The scaffold device serves to hold the therapeutic material at the treatment site, protecting it from being squeezed out by surrounding tissue. Additionally the scaffold device is believed to trigger an injury response that leads to angiogenesis in the tissue, which provides blood flow and nutrients to the associated therapeutic material to sustain it for a therapeutically effective amount of time. The devices may also be implanted at a tissue site already treated with a therapeutic material to initiate angiogenesis at the treatment site to sustain the material. The devices and methods also may be used to treat tumors with a necrosis factor.

Claims

1. A method for treating dysfunctional muscle tissue comprising:

providing therapeutic material configured to improve muscular function;

providing an angiogenic implant;

explacing the implant in dysfunctional tissue; and

associating the therapeutic material with the angiogenic implant after the implant has been placed in tissue.

2. A method of treating dysfunctional muscle tissue as defined in claim 1 wherein the tissue is myocardial tissue of the heart.

3. A method of treating dysfunctional muscle tissue as defined in claim 2 wherein the heart is accessed surgically and the implant is delivered through the epicardium of the heart.

4. A method of treating dysfunctional muscle tissue as defined in claim 2 wherein the heart is accessed percutaneously and the implant is delivered through the endocardium of the heart.

5. A method of treating a tumor comprising:

providing a scaffold structure;

providing an inhibitor material configured to inhibit tumor growth;

joining the inhibitor material to the scaffold structure with surgical adhesive; and

implanting the scaffold and the inhibitor material in the tumor.

6. A method of treating a tumor comprising:

providing a scaffold structure;

providing an inhibitor material configured to inhibit tumor growth;

joining the inhibitor material to the scaffold structure by opposite electrical charges.

7. A method of treating a tumor comprising:

providing a scaffold structure;

providing an inhibitor material configured to inhibit tumor growth that is maintained in a gel form;

applying the inhibitor to the scaffold structure; and

implanting the scaffold and the inhibitor material in the tumor.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

providing an angiogenic substance; and

associating the angiogenic substance with the angiogenic implant.