Devices and Methods for Tissue Transplant and Regeneration

Abstract

Devices and methods for transplanting tissue for the purpose of regeneration, for treating a patient having injured myocardial tissue, and/or for improving cardiac function through cell regrowth. More specifically, the devices and methods obviate the need for cellular alteration. The devices comprise a hollow cube with a sharp distal end, a stylet that is disposed and movable within the hollow tube, and a stopping device that constrains movement of the stylet. The methods comprise removing intact tissue from a first region of a mammalian organ and implanting the tissue in a second region of the same organ.

1 . A device for repairing an injured myocardium by cellular regrowth, the device comprising:
 a sleeve having a distal end for insertion into tissue; and   a movable element within the sleeve that moves a tissue sample relative the sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve comprises a tube. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the tube comprises stainless steel or Nitinol. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the tube has a cavity with an internal diameter in a range between about 100 micrometers and about 1000 micrometers. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has a sharp distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the sleeve further comprises a stop element that constrains movement of the movable element. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the stop is positioned on an inner wall of the sleeve, the stop having a distal surface positioned in a range of 0.5 to 2.0 centimeter from the distal end of said sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the tube is a cutting cannula. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the moveable element comprises a stylet that moves in an axial direction within the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises a catheter body. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the sleeve is attached to a distal end of the catheter body. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the catheter is attached to handle a handle at a proximal end. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the handle comprises an actuator that is connected to the movable element. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the actuator is connected to the moveable element with a cable. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has an internal cavity in fluid communication with a suction device. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has an internal cavity in fluid communication with a fluid source. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve further comprises a rigid tubular body having a length of at least 20 cm that is attached to a handle. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the stylet has one or more apertures to allow fluid flow between proximal and distal sides of the stylet. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the catheter has an outer diameter sized to slide within a guide catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the guide catheter has a distal end rigidly positioned at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is detachable from a handle to provide a disposable device. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve with the removed tissue sample can be detached from a catheter removal device and attached to an implant device. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a polymer sheath for containing a tissue sample. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a pull wire to orient the sleeve at the distal end of a catheter body at an oblique angle. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a monitor to observe patient condition. 
     
     
         38 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . A method of transplanting tissue from a first region of a mammalian internal organ to a second region of the mammalian internal organ, the method comprising:
 removing a tissue sample from the first region of the mammalian internal organ; and   implanting the tissue sample in the second region of the mammalian internal organ to increase cellular growth in the second region.   
     
     
         61 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 60  further comprising implanting the tissue sample without cellular alteration. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 60  further comprising performing a plurality of removing and implementing steps with a plurality of tissue samples. 
     
     
         67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 60  further comprising inserting a distal end of a catheter into a subject, positioning the distal end adjacent to tissue to be removed, inserting a tubular device into the tissue, removing the tissue sample from the tissue, repositioning the catheter such that the tubular device is adjacent on implant region, inserting the tubular device into the implant region to implant the tissue sample. 
     
     
         69 - 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . the method of  claim 60  further comprising performing a percutaneous catheterization to introduce the tube to a surgical site with a guide catheter. 
     
     
         79 - 80 . (canceled)