Injection tube for jet injection device

Abstract

A non-metal, polymeric tubular device for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment site within a patient. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated using suitable high strength polymers and in some versions can be reinforced through the inclusion of reinforcement materials or braiding. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated so as to have a burst strength exceeding at least about 2,000 psi. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated so as to have distention properties, wherein an orifice or jet port located at a distal end of the polymeric tubular device retains its shape and/or size without suffering swelling that can have a detrimental impact on a fluid jet used to deliver the therapeutic fluid at the treatment site.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A method for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment location with a non-metal, polymeric tubular device comprising:
 providing a non-metal, polymeric applicator body having a distal end and a proximal connection end, wherein an administration orifice is positioned proximate the distal end, and wherein the applicator body comprises polymer selected from the group consisting of: a polyimide polymer, a polyetherimide polymer, and a linear aromatic polymer;   positioning the administration orifice proximate a treatment location; and   generating a fluid jet through the administration orifice for dispensing a therapeutic fluid at the treatment location.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further wherein:
 the non-metal, polymeric applicator body comprises reinforcing materials.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further wherein:
 the non-metal, polymeric applicator body comprises reinforcing fiber.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein generating the fluid jet comprises pressurizing the therapeutic fluid with an injector attached to the proximal connection end. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the applicator body has a burst pressure of at least about 2,000 psi. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the applicator body comprises polyether ether ketone. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the applicator body is formed of non-reinforced polyether ether ketone polymer. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the applicator body is formed of reinforced polyether ether ketone polymer. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 17  comprising placing the applicator body in a patient's urogenital tract. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 17  comprising passing the applicator body within a urethra. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the treatment location comprises tissue of a bladder. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 17  comprising injecting therapeutic fluid into tissue at the treatment location. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the applicator body comprises a polymeric tubular device comprising sidewalls defining a lumen, the sidewalls and lumen terminating at a distal lumen end, wherein the distal lumen end is closed and the administration orifice is a bore through the sidewall, the bore being located along a length of the tubular device on a proximal side of the distal lumen end. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the applicator body comprises polyether ether ketone, the method comprising placing the applicator body in a patient's urethra and injecting therapeutic fluid into tissue at the treatment location. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the treatment location comprises tissue of a bladder. 
   
   
       32 . A method for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment location with a non-metal, polymeric tubular device comprising:
 providing a non-metal, polymeric applicator body having a distal end and a proximal connection end, wherein an administration orifice is positioned proximate the distal end;   positioning the administration orifice proximate a treatment location; and   generating a fluid jet comprising therapeutic fluid through the administration orifice to inject therapeutic fluid into tissue at the treatment location.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  comprising placing the applicator body in a patient's urogenital tract. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the treatment location comprises tissue of a bladder. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the applicator body comprises a polymeric tubular device comprising sidewalls defining a lumen, the sidewalls and lumen terminating at a distal lumen end, wherein the distal lumen end is closed and the administration orifice is a bore through the sidewall, the bore being located along a length of the tubular device on a proximal side of the distal lumen end. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the applicator body comprises polyether ether ketone, the method comprising placing the applicator body in a patient's urethra and injecting therapeutic fluid into tissue at the treatment location. 
   
   
       37 . A method for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment location with a non-metal, polymeric tubular device comprising:
 providing a non-metal, polymeric applicator body having a distal end and a proximal connection end, wherein an administration orifice is positioned proximate the distal end, and wherein the applicator body has a burst pressure of at least about 2,000 psi;   positioning the administration orifice proximate a treatment location; and   generating a fluid jet through the administration orifice for dispensing a therapeutic fluid at the treatment location.   
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  comprising placing the applicator body in a patient's urogenital tract. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the treatment location comprises tissue of a bladder. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the applicator body comprises a polymeric tubular device comprising sidewalls defining a lumen, the sidewalls and lumen terminating at a distal lumen end, wherein the distal lumen end is closed and the administration orifice is a bore through the sidewall, the bore being located along a length of the tubular device on a proximal side of the distal lumen end. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the applicator body comprises polyether ether ketone, the method comprising placing the applicator body in a patient's urethra and injecting therapeutic fluid into tissue at the treatment location. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 17  wherein during generating a fluid jet through the administration orifice, dimensional characteristics of the administration orifice remain constant under the influence of the fluid jet. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 32  wherein during generating a fluid jet through the administration orifice, dimensional characteristics of the administration orifice remain constant under the influence of the fluid jet. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 37  wherein during generating a fluid jet through the administration orifice, dimensional characteristics of the administration orifice remain constant under the influence of the fluid jet.