Catheter drug delivery system and method for use

• US 6,569,144 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2002
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BioCardia, Inc
• Original Assignee: BioCardia, Inc
• Inventors: Altman, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US10/075,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19, 604/21, 604/22, 604/27, 604/500, 604/506, 604/507, 604/508, 604/48, 604/93.01, 604/95.01, 604/95.04, 604/158, 604/159, 604/164.01, 604/164.12, 604/165.01, 604/131, 604/264, 600/433-435, 606/167, 606/170
• US Class Current: 604/507
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0036 with more than four lumina
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/004 characterized by lumina being arranged circumferentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0086 the needles having bent tips, i.e. the needle distal tips are angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0084 being one or more injection needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0144 having flexible regions as a result of inner reinforcement means, e.g. struts or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

A catheter system for injecting therapeutic agents including large molecules into the body. The catheter includes a distensible penetrating element with a distally locating expansion coil and a distally located chamber for holding a therapeutic agent which is to be injected into the body.

Claims

1. A method of delivering therapeutic agents through a catheter to the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter comprising;

an outer catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end;

a penetrating tubular element disposed within the distal end of the outer catheter body, said penetrating element being longitudinally movable relative to the outer catheter body;

a delivery tube running from the proximal end of the outer catheter body to the distal end of the outer catheter body and in communication with the penetrating tubular element;

a distensible conduit which connects the penetrating element to the delivery tube, said distensible element permitting longitudinal movement of the penetrating element relative to the delivery tube; and

inserting the catheter into the patient such that the penetrating tubular element is capable of delivering the therapeutic agent to a desired location within the heart of the patient; and

delivering the therapeutic agent to the desired location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of about one minute.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of several minutes.

4. A method of delivering therapeutic agents through a catheter to a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter comprising;

a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end;

a chamber for holding a therapeutic agent, the chamber disposed within the distal end of the catheter, the chamber having a self-sealing wall which is penetrable by an injection needle;

a penetrating element extending distally from the chamber;

a pressure source for forcing the therapeutic agent out of the chamber through the penetrating element;

injecting the therapeutic agent into the chamber; and

inserting the catheter into the patient such that the penetrating tubular element is capable of delivering the therapeutic agent to a desired location; and

delivering the therapeutic agent to the desired location.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of about one minute.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of delivering the therapeutic agent is performed such that therapeutic agent is delivered over a period of time of several minutes.