Devices and methods for interstitial injection of biologic agents into tissue
First Claim
1. A method for epicardially injecting a substance into a heart having an epicardial surface and disposed within a torso, the method comprising:
- providing a substance-injecting device including a plurality of needles, a cardiac contraction sensor, an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal region, a distal region, and a transverse needle driver coupled to the elongate shaft distal region for driving the needles substantially perpendicularly to the elongate shaft distal region longitudinal axis and into the tissue;
making an opening into the torso;
advancing the injecting device through the opening to the heart epicardial surface;
sensing contractions of the heart;
longitudinally moving the elongate shaft and converting the longitudinal movement for transversely driving the needles into the heart and through the epicardium; and
injecting the substance from the device into the myocardium, wherein the substance is injected between contractions of the heart.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for injecting biological agents into tissue. Devices are provided having elongate shafts and distal injection heads for transversely driving needles into tissue and injecting medical agents into the tissue through the needles. A longitudinal force directed along the shaft can be translated to a needle driving force transverse to the shaft. Some devices provide controllably variable needle penetration depth. Devices include mechanical needle drivers utilizing four link pantographs, rack and pinions, and drive yokes for driving a first needle bearing body toward a second tissue contacting body. Other devices include inflatable members for driving and retracting needles. Still other devices include magnets for biasing the needles in extended and/or retracted positions. The invention includes minimally invasive methods for epicardially injecting cardiocyte precursor cells into infarct myocardial tissue.
723 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for epicardially injecting a substance into a heart having an epicardial surface and disposed within a torso, the method comprising:
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providing a substance-injecting device including a plurality of needles, a cardiac contraction sensor, an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal region, a distal region, and a transverse needle driver coupled to the elongate shaft distal region for driving the needles substantially perpendicularly to the elongate shaft distal region longitudinal axis and into the tissue; making an opening into the torso; advancing the injecting device through the opening to the heart epicardial surface; sensing contractions of the heart; longitudinally moving the elongate shaft and converting the longitudinal movement for transversely driving the needles into the heart and through the epicardium; and injecting the substance from the device into the myocardium, wherein the substance is injected between contractions of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification