Apparatus and Methods for Containing and Delivering Therapeutic Agents
First Claim
1. Apparatus suitable for facilitating delivery of a therapeutic agent, the apparatus comprising:
- a pressure source;
a container having proximal and distal ends with an inlet port at the proximal end for receiving a fluid from the pressure source;
a therapeutic agent disposed within the container;
a tube member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the tube member positioned within the container; and
a flow obstruction member positioned within the container between the inlet port and the proximal end of the tube member, the flow obstruction member structured to direct fluid around the flow obstruction member and towards the proximal end of the tube member, the flow obstruction member and the tube member being spaced relative to each other to cause the fluid to flow around the obstruction member and draw the therapeutic agent into the tube member and direct the therapeutic agent distally therethrough.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for containing and delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The apparatus generally comprises at least one container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source for facilitating delivery of the therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the pressure source may be placed in selective fluid communication with a proximal region of the container and fluid from the pressure source may flow through at least a portion of the container to urge the therapeutic agent through the container towards the target site. In an alternative embodiment, the pressure source may be selectively in fluid communication with either a first hollow tube and the container so that therapeutic agent is urged into a catheter, or with a second hollow tube and a catheter so that a fluid from the pressure source bypasses the container and enters the catheter.
117 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. Apparatus suitable for facilitating delivery of a therapeutic agent, the apparatus comprising:
-
a pressure source; a container having proximal and distal ends with an inlet port at the proximal end for receiving a fluid from the pressure source; a therapeutic agent disposed within the container; a tube member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the tube member positioned within the container; and a flow obstruction member positioned within the container between the inlet port and the proximal end of the tube member, the flow obstruction member structured to direct fluid around the flow obstruction member and towards the proximal end of the tube member, the flow obstruction member and the tube member being spaced relative to each other to cause the fluid to flow around the obstruction member and draw the therapeutic agent into the tube member and direct the therapeutic agent distally therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. Apparatus suitable for containing and delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site, the apparatus comprising:
-
a pressure source; a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a container having proximal and distal ends with a therapeutic agent disposed within, wherein the distal end of the container is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the catheter; a first hollow tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the first hollow tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the container; a second hollow tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the second hollow tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the catheter; and the apparatus operable in at least two states including, a first state wherein the pressure source is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the first hollow tube and the container, wherein the provision of a fluid from the pressure source through at least a portion of the container is adapted to urge the therapeutic agent towards the distal end of the container and through the catheter in a distal direction towards the target site; a second state wherein the pressure source is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the second hollow tube and communicates with the proximal end of the catheter, wherein the provision of a fluid from the pressure source bypasses the container and flows through the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method suitable for containing and delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site, the method comprising:
-
providing a pressure source; providing a container having proximal and distal ends with a therapeutic agent disposed within; providing a catheter having proximal and distal ends wherein the proximal end is in communication with the distal end of the container; providing a first hollow tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the first hollow tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the container; providing a second hollow tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the second hollow tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the catheter; communicating the pressure source with the proximal end of the first hollow tube and the container to provide fluid from the pressure source through at least a portion of the container and urge the therapeutic agent towards the distal end of the container and through the catheter in a distal direction towards the target site; and communicating the pressure source with the proximal end of the second hollow tube and the catheter to provide fluid from the pressure source to the catheter and to bypass the container. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification