Method and apparatus for drug and gene delivery

Abstract

An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a deployment mechanism having a surface. The apparatus also includes at least one probe disposed on the deployment mechanism surface. The probe extends between 25 microns and 1000 microns from the surface of the deployment mechanism. The apparatus also includes material coated on the probe. A method for treating a patient. The method includes the steps of placing a material with a probe which extends less than 1000 microns from a surface of a deployment mechanism. Next, there is the step of inserting the probe into preferably a blood vessel of a patient. Then, there is the step of penetrating the interior wall of the vessel from the interior of the vessel with the probe by activating the deployment mechanism so the material can contact the vessel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a patient comprising the steps of: 
 placing a material with a probe which extends less than 1000 microns from a surface of a deployment mechanism;    inserting the probe into a vessel of patient;    penetrating the interior wall of the vessel from the interior of the vessel with the probe by activating the deployment mechanism so the material can contact the vessel.    
     
     
         2 . A method as described in    claim 1    wherein the inserting step includes the step of inserting the probe into a blood vessel of a patient.  
     
     
         3 . A method as described in    claim 2    wherein the penetrating step includes the step of expanding a balloon of the deployment mechanism on which the probe is disposed until the probe pierces the interior of the vessel wall.  
     
     
         4 . A method as described in    claim 3    wherein the placing step includes the step of coating the material on the surface of the probe.  
     
     
         5 . A method as described in    claim 4    wherein the coating step includes the step of putting DNA on the surface of the probe, where the surface is made of gold or a material which is both conductive and to which DNA adheres.  
     
     
         6 . A method as described in    claim 4    including after the penetrating step, there is the step of removing the probe from the vessel.  
     
     
         7 . A method as described in    claim 4    wherein the coating step includes the step of coating the material with hydrogel or other biocompatible material which provides a protective coating to drugs or DNA.  
     
     
         8 . A method as described in    claim 3    wherein the placing step includes the step of filling a reservoir on the inside of the probe with the material.  
     
     
         9 . A method as described in    claim 1    wherein after the inserting step there is the step of opening a housing in which the probe is disposed, said housing protecting the probe and material from body fluid in the patient.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for treating a patient comprising: 
 a deployment mechanism having a surface;    at least one probe disposed on the deployment mechanism surface, said probe extending between 25 microns to 1000 microns from the surface of the deployment mechanism; and    material coated on the probe.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as described in    claim 10    including at least a second probe disposed on the surface of the deployment mechanism having material coating on the second probe.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as described in    claim 11    wherein the deployment mechanism includes a balloon having a surface with the first and second probes disposed on the surface of the balloon.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as described in    claim 12    wherein each probe is coated with gold or a material which DNA would adhere, and the material has DNA.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as described in    claim 13    wherein the material is a gene encoding for nitric oxide synthase or vascular endothelial growth factor.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as described in    claim 12    wherein the material is coated with a hydrogel or other biocompatible material which provides a protecting coating to drugs or DNA.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as described in    claim 15    wherein the material is prednisone or low molecular weight heparin or hirudin.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as described in    claim 12    wherein each probe has a pointed tip.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as described in    claim 17    wherein each probe is cone shaped.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as described in    claim 12    wherein each probe extends radially f rom the surface of the balloon.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as described in    claim 19    wherein the deployment mechanis m includes a removable housing in which the probes are disposed when the housing is in a closed state, but is separated from the probes when the balloon is in an inflated state.  
     
     
         21 . A method for fabricating probes comprising the steps of: 
 placing a pattern on a silicon wafer;    etching the wafer with the pattern on the wafer to form a metal lattice with probes; and    rolling the metal lattice into a cylindrical shape.