Drug Delivery System

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for coating and/or loading a medical device with a therapeutic agent prior to or during the placement of the medical device within the patient's body. In one variation, the medical device is coated and/or loaded with a therapeutic agent while the device is positioned in a delivery apparatus. In another variation, the delivery apparatus comprises a reservoir for retaining a therapeutic agent. The user may release the therapeutic agent from the reservoir prior to or during the placement of the device to coat and/or load the device with the therapeutic agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drug loading system, comprising:
 a medical device delivery apparatus including a medical device disposed in a distal portion thereof;   an injection mechanism containing a therapeutic agent; and   an adaptor coupling the injection mechanism to a distal end of the delivery apparatus and directing the therapeutic agent from the injection mechanism into the distal portion of the delivery apparatus to coat and/or load the medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The drug loading system according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a material selected from a group consisting of a stem cell, a gene therapy agent, a protein, a nucleic acid chain, a growth factor, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         3 . The drug loading system according to  claim 1 , wherein the adaptor comprises a first lumen for directing the therapeutic agent into the delivery apparatus, and a second lumen for directing an excess portion of the therapeutic agent out of the lumen of the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The drug loading system according to  claim 1 , wherein the adaptor further comprises an interface for receiving a distal portion of the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . A method for implanting a medical device, comprising:
 disposing a portion of the medical device in a delivery apparatus; and   releasing a therapeutic agent from a reservoir to coat and/or load the medical device.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the steps of inserting the delivery apparatus into a patient's body, and deploying the medical device into the patient's body. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the reservoir is pressurized prior to the releasing step. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the reservoir is positioned in the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the reservoir is separate from the delivery apparatus, the method further comprising the step of coupling the reservoir to the delivery apparatus before releasing the therapeutic agent from the reservoir to load the medical device. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of providing the medical delivery apparatus to a medical practitioner, and providing a container comprising the reservoir to said medical practitioner. 
     
     
         11 . A method for delivering a drug to a patient, comprising:
 contacting a medical device with a therapeutic agent while the medical device is disposed in a distal portion of a delivery apparatus;   inserting the delivery apparatus in a patient's body; and   deploying the medical device in the patient's body.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the contacting step comprises injecting the therapeutic agent into a proximal end of the delivery apparatus and allowing the therapeutic agent to travel to the distal portion to coat the medical device prior to inserting the delivery apparatus in the patient's body. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the contacting step comprises injecting the therapeutic agent into the distal portion of the delivery apparatus to coat the medical device prior to inserting the delivery apparatus into the patient's body.