Intracoronary Device And Method Of Use Thereof

Abstract

Engraftment of therapeutic cells and agents to a target site in an organism is enhanced by mechanical, chemical and biological methods and systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of enhancing engraftment of therapeutic cells at a target site in the lumen of the vasculature of a mammal, comprising:
 contacting the therapeutic cells with a biological linker having at least two functionalities, wherein the linker is attached to the cell membrane of the therapeutic cells through the affinity of at least one functionality of the linker to the surface of the therapeutic cells, wherein at least one other functionality of the linker has affinity to the lumen surface of the target area vasculature, wherein the at least two of the functionalities of the linker are separated by a spacer having branches or being of star form and   placing the linker attached to the therapeutic cells at the target site.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linker is irreversibly attached to the therapeutic cells. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linker is reversibly attached to the therapeutic cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linker is a biological conjugate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linker comprises more than two functionalities. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linker is a bi-functional linker. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises PEG. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linker comprises an affinity molecule selected from the group consisting of linked antibodies, F ab  fragments of antibodies, affibodies, peptides, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the affinity molecule has an affinity to a cell-surface molecule on a cell at the target site in the lumen,
 wherein the cell-surface molecule is selected from the group consisting of PECAM (CD31), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), a selectin, P-Selectin (CD62P), E-Selectin (CD62E), L-selectin, Flk-1 and combinations thereof.