Therapeutic and diagnostic agent delivery
US5840059A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2210/125
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for treating a patient's heart which comprises a means to form channels in the heart wall and a means to deliver a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channels. Additionally, the system may comprise a way to retain the agent within the channels for a useful period of time. The system may be configured to be introduced percutaneously or intraoperatively. The system generally comprises an elongated, flexible lasing transmission catheter that emits laser radiation and has delivery lumen opening at the distal end. Practice of the invention comprises forming channels in the heart wall and delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channel. Gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. Additionally, the invention may comprise retaining the agent within the channels, for example, by incorporating the agent in a viscous carrier.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.