Catheter for cell delivery in tissue

US6758828B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Regents of the University of Minnesota · US

Inventors

• Bruce Hammer · Latham, US
• Mark J. Conroy · St. Louis Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 6, 2004
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M25/00
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An apparatus delivers an agent to a treatment region, the apparatus having an outer cannula or lumen that has an internal surface and an external surface, the external surface being substantially smooth to penetrate tissue whereas the distal end is tapered; an inner cannula, or lumen coaxial to the outer cannula, providing a common fluid path (that is the same fluid passes through both the inner cannula and outer cannula) at the distal end with the inner surface of the outer cannula; a source of fluid to be passed through the common fluid path, the source of fluid comprising at least a reservoir of nutrients and/or gases for maintaining cells contained in a lumen coaxial and internal to the inner cannula; a semipermeable membrane comprises the surface of the lumen, thus allowing controlled material transport across the lumen surface; a source of cells or other biologically active material mass flow connected to the proximal lumen so that the cells or other biologically active material can exit the distal portion upon entering the target tissue; and a first flow distributor located at the proximal end of the outer cannula to provide substantially uniform flow through the outer cannu…