Localized fluid delivery devices having a porous applicator and methods for using the same

Abstract

Fluid delivery devices having a porous applicator, as well as methods for using the same in the highly localized delivery of fluid to a target site, are provided. The subject devices have a porous applicator through which fluid must flow in order to contact the target delivery site. The subject devices find use in a variety of fluid delivery applications in which the localized delivery of a fluid to a target site is desired. Also provided are systems and kits that include the subject fluid delivery devices.

1 . A device for localized contact of a fluid to a target physiological site, said device comprising: 
 (a) a fluid delivery element having a proximal and distal end;    (b) a porous region at said distal end of said fluid delivery element through which fluid must flow to contact said target physiological site; and    (c) an aspiration element.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said porous region is a porous applicator.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said porous region is a porous fluid flow path.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein said porous fluid flow path commences at said distal end of said fluid delivery element and fluid is drawn through said porous flow path by said aspiration element.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein a portion of said porous fluid flow path is bounded by a fluid impermeable material.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said porous applicator is a porous tip.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device includes an external energy application element.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said external energy application element is a sonic energy application element.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is a percutaneous device.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is a open-surgical device.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises a second fluid delivery element.  
     
     
         12 . A vascular fluid delivery device for localized contact of a fluid with a target vascular site, said device comprising: 
 (a) a fluid delivery lumen having a proximal end and a distal end;    (b) an aspiration lumen; and    (c) a porous fluid flow path located at said distal end of said fluid delivery lumen such that fluid must flow through said porous fluid flow path to contact said target vascular site and is drawn through said porous fluid flow path by said aspiration lumen.    
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein a portion of said porous fluid flow path is bounded by a fluid impermeable material.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said device further comprises a fluid driving element for driving fluid out of said porous fluid flow path.  
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said device includes an external energy application element.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said external energy application element is a sonic energy application element.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said device further comprises a second fluid delivery element.  
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said porous fluid flow path is configured to conform to a vascular structure.  
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein said vascular structure is a valve sinus.  
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said valve sinus is an aortic sinus.  
     
     
         21 . A device for locally contacting an aortic valve with a fluid, said device comprising: 
 (a) a fluid delivery lumen having a proximal end and a distal end;    (b) an aspiration lumen; and    (c) a porous fluid flow path configured to fit inside of an aortic sinus of said aortic valve and located at said distal end of said fluid delivery lumen such that fluid must flow through said porous fluid flow path to contact said aortic valve, wherein fluid is drawn through said porous fluid flow path by said aspiration lumen.    
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said device comprises a separate porous fluid flow path for each different aortic sinus of said aortic valve.  
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said device further comprises an aortic valve ventricular side occlusion element.  
     
     
         24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said aortic valve ventricular side occlusion element is a plug.  
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said device further comprises a shunt element.  
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said device further comprises a cap element proximal to said porous fluid flow path.  
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said device further comprises a fluid driving element for driving fluid out of said porous fluid flow path.  
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said device includes an external energy application element.  
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 29 , wherein said external energy application element is a sonic energy application element.  
     
     
         31 . A device for locally contacting an aortic valve with a fluid, said device comprising: 
 (a) a fluid delivery lumen having a proximal end and a distal end;    (b) an aspiration lumen;    (c) three separate porous fluid flow paths configured to fit inside of an aortic sinus of said aortic valve and located at said distal end of said fluid delivery lumen such that fluid must flow through said porous fluid flow paths to contact said aortic valve, wherein fluid is drawn through said porous fluid flow paths by said aspiration lumen;    (d) an aortic valve ventricular side occlusion element;    (e) a shunt; and    (f) a cap element.    
     
     
         32 . The device according to  claim 31 , wherein said device further comprises a fluid driving element for driving fluid out of said porous fluid flow path.  
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 31 , wherein said device includes an external energy application element.  
     
     
         34 . The device according to  claim 33 , wherein said external energy application element is a sonic energy application element.  
     
     
         35 .- 43 . (canceled)  
     
     
         44 . A system for use in delivering a fluid to a target vascular site, said system comprising: 
 a fluid delivery device according to  claim 1;     a first fluid reservoir housing a first fluid; and    a vacuum element.    
     
     
         45 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said first fluid is a dissolution fluid.  
     
     
         46 . The system according to  claim 45 , wherein said dissolution fluid is a low pH fluid.  
     
     
         47 . The system according to  claim 46 , wherein said low pH fluid is an HCl solution.  
     
     
         48 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said system further comprises a second fluid reservoir housing a second fluid.  
     
     
         49 . The system according to  claim 48 , wherein said second fluid is a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid.  
     
     
         50 . The system according to  claim 48 , wherein said dissolution fluid attenuating fluid is a buffer.  
     
     
         51 . A kit for use in delivering fluid to and removing fluid from a target site, said kit comprising: 
 (a) a fluid delivery device according to  claim 1;  and    (b) instructions for using said device to contact fluid with a target site.    
     
     
         52 . The kit according to  claim 51 , wherein said kit further comprises a dissolution fluid or at least one component thereof.  
     
     
         53 . The kit according to  claim 51 , wherein said kit further comprises a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid or at least one component thereof.