Methods and Compositions for Treating Post-Cardial Infarction Damage

Abstract

Methods and compositions for treating post-myocardial infarction damage are herein disclosed. In some embodiments, a carrier with a treatment agent may be fabricated. The carrier can be formulated from a bioerodable, sustained-release substance. The resultant loaded carrier may then be suspended in at least one component of a two-component matrix system for simultaneous delivery to a post-myocardial infarction treatment area.

1 . A device comprising:
 a) a first delivery needle, and   b) a second delivery needle,   c) a biasing element associated with the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle, wherein the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle are arranged in a side-by-side configuration   d) whereby a first gel component can be delivered through the first delivery needle without contacting a second gel component that may be disposed in the second delivery needle.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a port disposed in the wall of the first delivery needle adapted such that a first gel component delivered through the port and a second gel component delivered through the second delivery needle will diverge. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , adapted to have at least two configurations and wherein the distal end of the first delivery needle and the distal end of the second delivery needle are longitudinally separated by an offset distance. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the offset distance is less in a second configuration than in the first configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , whereby the biasing element urges the device toward the first configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element is a spring. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of compression, volute, Belleville, tension, v-spring and leaf-type springs. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the first delivery needle and second delivery needle have a larger lumen profile than the distal portion and the proximal portion connects to the distal portion through a transition portion. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the transition portion has a step, a taper, or a combination of a step and taper. 
     
     
         18 . A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
 a) advancing within a patient's body lumen a device comprising a first delivery needle and a second delivery needle,   wherein a separation force biases distal ends of the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle so that the distal ends are longitudinally separated by an offset distance as the needle assembly is advanced,   wherein when the distal end of a leading needle of the first and second delivery needles contacts tissue, a reactive load is applied to the leading needle that opposes the separation force and reduces the offset distance,   b) delivering a first gel component through the first delivery needle at the reduced offset distance,   c) delivering a second gel component through the second delivery needle at the reduced offset distance, and   d) allowing the first and second gel components to admix within the patient's body tissue to form a gel composition.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising retracting the device from the tissue, wherein upon the retraction the separation force increases the offset distance which prevents formation of the gel composition.