Scalable parallel gene therapy injector array
First Claim
1. An injector array, comprising:
- a plurality of capillary tubes of varying lengths, each capillary tube being individually connectible at a proximal end to a displacement-controlled pump, each capillary tube being adapted at a distal end for insertion into a brain or body part, each capillary tube being further adapted for delivery of fluidic materials through the distal end to the brain or body part, wherein the length of each individual capillary tube is individually determined according to the location of a respective one of a plurality of specific target areas in the brain or body part and at least some of the individual capillary tubes are of different lengths than others of the individual capillary tubes;
a support structure for holding the plurality of capillary tubes such that their distal ends, taken together, terminate in a three-dimensional spatial pattern that permits delivery of the fluidic materials in parallel to the plurality of specific target areas in the brain or body part; and
a stereotaxic device to which the support structure is attachable, the stereotaxic device being configured to control the angular orientation of the support structure with respect to the brain or body part so that the distal end of each capillary tube is positioned at its respective target area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scalable parallel injector array has a support structure for holding injector tubes in a spatial pattern in order to enable delivery of fluidic materials simultaneously to a group of specific target areas in the brain or a body part. Each injector is individually connectible at one end to a displacement-controlled pump and is designed at the other end to be inserted into the brain or body part. The injector tubes are connected to the pump by fluid-filled tubing. The spatial pattern is patient- and/or application-customizable, and the length of the injector tubes is customizable in order to more precisely reach individual target areas. A clamping device may be used to attach the injector array to a stereotaxic arm or other support structure. The action of the pump permits controlled simultaneous delivery of the fluidic materials to the target areas.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An injector array, comprising:
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a plurality of capillary tubes of varying lengths, each capillary tube being individually connectible at a proximal end to a displacement-controlled pump, each capillary tube being adapted at a distal end for insertion into a brain or body part, each capillary tube being further adapted for delivery of fluidic materials through the distal end to the brain or body part, wherein the length of each individual capillary tube is individually determined according to the location of a respective one of a plurality of specific target areas in the brain or body part and at least some of the individual capillary tubes are of different lengths than others of the individual capillary tubes; a support structure for holding the plurality of capillary tubes such that their distal ends, taken together, terminate in a three-dimensional spatial pattern that permits delivery of the fluidic materials in parallel to the plurality of specific target areas in the brain or body part; and a stereotaxic device to which the support structure is attachable, the stereotaxic device being configured to control the angular orientation of the support structure with respect to the brain or body part so that the distal end of each capillary tube is positioned at its respective target area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An injector array system, comprising:
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a displacement-controlled pumping device; a plurality of tube injectors of varying lengths, each tube injector being individually connected at a proximal end to fluid-filled tubing connected to the displacement-controlled pumping device, each tube injector being adapted at a distal end for insertion into a brain or body part to permit delivery of fluidic materials through the distal end to the brain or body part, each tube injector being controllable by the displacement-controlled pumping device, wherein the length of each individual tube injector is individually determined according to the location of a respective one of a plurality of specific target areas in the brain or body part and at least some of the individual tube injectors are of different lengths than others of the individual tube injectors; an injector array support structure for holding the plurality of tube injectors in parallel such that their distal ends, taken together, terminate in a three-dimensional spatial pattern designed to permit simultaneous delivery of the fluidic materials to the specific target areas in the brain or body part; a stereotaxic device to which the support structure is attachable, the stereotaxic device being configured to control the angular orientation of the support structure with respect to the brain or body part so that the distal end of each tube injector is positioned at its respective target area; and a clamping device for attaching the injector array support structure to the stereotaxic device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system adapted for delivery of fluidic materials to target areas of the brain or body, comprising:
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a plurality of injectors of varying lengths, each injector being individually connectible at a proximal end to a displacement-controlled pumping device, each injector being adapted at a distal end for insertion into a brain or body part to permit delivery of fluidic materials through the distal end to the brain or body part, each injector being controllable by the displacement-controlled pumping device, wherein the length of each individual injector is individually determined according to the location of a respective one of a plurality of specific target areas in the brain or body part and at least some of the individual injectors are of different lengths than others of the individual injectors; an injector array support structure for holding the plurality of injectors in parallel such that their distal ends, taken together, terminate in a three-dimensional spatial pattern designed to permit simultaneous delivery of the fluidic materials to the specific target areas in the brain or body part; and a stereotaxic device for attaching to the injector array support structure, the stereotaxic device being configured to control the angular orientation of the support structure with respect to the brain or body part so that the distal end of each injector is positioned at its respective target area. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification