Material delivery system

Abstract

A method for injecting a therapeutic agent into a target tissue, the method comprising: (a) providing an expandable member; (b) positioning said expandable member in proximity to the target tissue; (c) Introducing the therapeutic agent into the expandable member until a desired pressure is achieved; and (d) creating a plurality of small apertures in the expandable member.

1 . A method for injecting a therapeutic agent into a target tissue, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing an expandable member;    (b) positioning said expandable member in proximity to the target tissue;    (c) introducing the therapeutic agent into the expandable member until a desired pressure is achieved; and    (d) creating a plurality of small apertures in the expandable member.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said expandable member includes at least one balloon.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein (d) is performed after (c).  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein (c) is performed after (d).  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired pressure is at least  15  atmospheres.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired pressure is sufficient to cause said therapeutic agent to exit through said apertures at a speed of at least 20 meters/second.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent enters the target tissue intracellularly.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the target tissue is located in a body lumen.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said apertures are aimed transaxially with respect to said expandable member.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said apertures are aimed radially with respect to said expandable member.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said apertures are aimed axially with respect to said expandable member.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said body lumen is a blood vessel.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent includes a cytotoxic agent.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent includes a fibrotic agent.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said cytotoxic agent includes an alcohol.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said alcohol includes ethanol.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein entry of said cytotoxic agent into said target tissue blocks transmission of an electric signal through said target tissue.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , applied to ameliorate Atrial Fibrillation.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent includes a chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the target tissue is a tumor.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein the tumor is located on an inner surface of a urinary bladder.  
     
     
         22 . A method for reducing a toxic effect of a therapeutic agent on a non-target tissue, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing an expandable member;    (b) positioning said expandable member in proximity to a target tissue;    (c) introducing an amount of therapeutic agent into the expandable member until a desired pressure is achieved; and    (d) creating a plurality of small apertures, in the expandable member; wherein said amount is sufficient to exert a physiologic effect on cells of said target tissue but insufficient to exert an effect on cells lying at a distance greater than a selected distance from said target tissue.    
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said expandable member includes at least one balloon.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein (d) is performed after (c).  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein (c) is performed after (d).  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the therapeutic agent enters the target tissue intracellularly.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said positioning employs an image guidance system.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said positioning employs an intrabody camera.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said target tissue includes a tumor.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein said target tissue includes a tumor in a urinary bladder.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said target tissue includes a portion of a pulmonary vein conducting an electric signal which contributes to Atrial Fibrillation.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said therapeutic agent enters said target tissue at a concentration of at least  1  nanogram per milligram of tissue.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said therapeutic agent includes particles with a size in the range of 1 nanometer to 100 micrometers.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 33 , wherein said particles include at least one metal.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 33 , wherein said particles include at least one nucleic acid sequence.  
     
     
         36 . A method for transmucosal delivery of a therapeutic agent to cells lining a body cavity, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing an expandable member;    (b) positioning said expandable member within the body cavity;    (c) introducing the therapeutic agent into the expandable member until a desired pressure is achieved; and    (d) creating a plurality of small apertures, in the expandable member; wherein said pressure is sufficient to propel said therapeutic agent through a mucosal layer to cells beneath said mucosal layer.    
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said expandable member includes at least one balloon.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein (d) is performed after (c).  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein (c) is performed after (d).  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein said body cavity includes a nostril.  
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein said body cavity includes a nasal sinus.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein said body cavity includes a portion of a genitourinary tract.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein said body cavity includes a portion of a digestive tract.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein said body cavity is a nostril and/or adjoining nasal sinuses and the method provides relief from rhinitis.  
     
     
         45 . A method of treating a tissue, the method comprising: 
 (a) bringing at least one elongate tube including a plurality of ports on its side in proximity to a tissue on an inner surface of a lumen; said tube characterized in that it cannot expand to fill the entire lumen; and    (b) employing a pressure pulse to inject an agent into said tissue through the ports.    
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein said agent includes a cytotoxic compound.  
     
     
         47 . An apparatus for injecting a therapeutic agent into a target tissue, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) an expandable member including an outer wall characterized by a plurality of nascent holes therein, said outer wall defining an inner cavity;    (b) a fill mechanism adapted to introduce a therapeutic agent into said inner cavity at a desired pressure; and    (c) a release mechanism adapted to transform said nascent holes into actual holes.    
     
     
         48 . An apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein said expandable member is shaped to conform to an anatomic structure.  
     
     
         49 . An apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein said shape of said expandable member positions said nascent holes towards a target.  
     
     
         50 . An apparatus for reducing a toxic effect of a therapeutic agent on a non-target tissue, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) an expandable member including an outer wall characterized by a plurality of nascent holes therein, said outer wall defining an inner cavity, said expandable member adapted for positioning in proximity to a target tissue;    (b) a fill mechanism adapted to introduce an amount of therapeutic agent into said inner cavity at a desired pressure; and    (c) a release mechanism adapted to transform said nascent holes into actual holes; wherein said amount is sufficient to exert a physiologic effect on cells of said target tissue but insufficient to exert an effect on cells lying at a distance greater than a selected distance from said target tissue.    
     
     
         51 . An apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein said expandable member is shaped to conform to an anatomic structure.  
     
     
         52 . An apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said shape of said expandable member positions said nascent holes towards a target.  
     
     
         53 . An apparatus for injecting a therapeutic agent into a target tissue, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) an expandable member characterized by at least one protrusion adapted for engagement by a lumen and at least a portion not engageable by said lumen and including an outer wall, said outer wall defining an inner cavity;    (b) a fill mechanism adapted to introduce a therapeutic agent into said inner cavity at a desired pressure; and    (c) a plurality of injection ports.    
     
     
         54 . An apparatus according to  claim 53 , wherein said outer wall is characterized by a plurality of nascent holes therein and the device includes a release mechanism adapted to transform said nascent holes into injection ports.  
     
     
         55 . An apparatus according to  claim 53 , wherein a shape of said expandable member positions at least one injection port facing axially with respect to said device.  
     
     
         56 . An apparatus for injecting a therapeutic agent into a target tissue, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) an expandable member including an outer wall, said outer wall defining an inner cavity;    (b) a fill mechanism adapted to introduce a therapeutic agent into said inner cavity at a desired pressure; and    (c) at least one injection port facing axially with respect to said device.    
     
     
         57 . An apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said outer wall is characterized by a plurality of nascent holes therein and the device includes a release mechanism adapted to transform said nascent holes into injection ports.