Method and system for myocardial infarction repair

• US 20040087019A1
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Soykan, Orhan, Donovan, Maura G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,031,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36042 of grafted tissue, e.g. skeletal muscle
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3629 in combination with non-electric therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0657 Cardiomyocytes; Heart cells

Abstract

An implantable system is provided that includes: a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated and/or differentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient'"'"'s myocardium; and an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient'"'"'s myocardium or otherwise damaged or diseased myocardial tissue.

Claims

1. An implantable system comprising:

(a) a cell repopulation source capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near damaged or diseased myocardial tissue; and

(b) an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the damaged or diseased or myocardial tissue.

2. The implantable system of claim 1 wherein the cell repopulation source comprises undifferentiated contractile cells.

3. The implantable system of claim 2 wherein the undifferentiated contractile cells comprise skeletal muscle satellite cells.

4. The implantable system of claim 2 wherein the undifferentiated contractile cells comprise autologous cells.

5. The implantable system of claim 1 wherein the cell repopulation source comprises genetic material.

6. The implantable system of claim 5 wherein the genetic material comprises a delivery vehicle comprising a nucleic acid molecule.

7. The implantable system of claim 6 wherein the nucleic acid molecule encodes a myogenic determination gene.

8. The implantable system of claim 6 wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a viral expression vector.

9. The implantable system of claim 6 wherein the delivery vehicle comprises liposomes.

10. The implantable system of claim 5 wherein the genetic material comprises plasmid DNA.

11. The implantable system of claim 1 wherein the cell repopulation source further comprises a polymeric matrix.

12. The implantable system of claim 1 wherein the cell repopulation source is associated with a carrier.

13. The implantable system of claim 12 wherein the cell repopulation source is coated on a carrier.

14. The implantable system of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation device comprises a muscle stimulator having two electrodes connected thereto.

15. The implantable system of claim 14 wherein the muscle stimulator is implantable and is in the form of a capsule having electrodes incorporated therein.

16. The implantable system of claim 15 wherein the muscle stimulator is a carrier for the cell repopulation source.

17. The implantable system of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation device provides burst stimulation.

18. The implantable system of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation device provides pulse stimulation.

19. An implantable system comprising:

(a) a cell repopulation source for a patient'"'"'s myocardium; and

(b) an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient'"'"'s myocardium, wherein the electrical stimulation device provides burst stimulation.

20. A method of repairing the myocardium of a patient, the method comprising:

(a) providing an implantable system comprising;

(i) a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof, capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient'"'"'s myocardium; and

(ii) an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient'"'"'s myocardium;

(b) implanting the cell repopulation source into and/or near the infarct zone of the myocardium of a patient;

(c) allowing sufficient time for new contractile tissue to form from the cell repopulation source; and

(d) electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the electrical stimulation device comprises a muscle stimulator and electrodes;

wherein the electrodes are implanted into and/or near the infarct zone of the myocardium.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the muscle stimulator is implantable and is in the form of a capsule having electrodes incorporated therein.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the muscle stimulator is a carrier for the cell repopulation source.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the muscle stimulator and cell repopulation source are delivered to the infarct zone through a catheter.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the undifferentiated contractile cells comprise autologous cells.