Microfluidic drug delivery devices with venturi effect

Abstract

The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein generally involve convection-enhanced delivery of drugs to a target region within a patient. Microfluidic catheter devices are disclosed that are particularly suitable for targeted delivery of drugs via convection, including devices capable of multi-directional drug delivery, devices that control fluid pressure and velocity using the venturi effect, and devices that include conformable balloons. Methods of treating various diseases using such devices are also disclosed, including methods of treating cerebral and spinal cavernous malformations, cavernomas, and hemangiomas, methods of treating neurological diseases, methods of treatment using multiple microfluidic delivery devices, methods of treating hearing disorders, methods of spinal drug delivery using microfluidic devices, and methods of delivering stem cells and therapeutics during fetal surgery. Methods of manufacturing such devices are also disclosed.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient, comprising:
 advancing a substrate to a target region of the patient, the substrate having at least one fluid delivery conduit, the at least one fluid delivery conduit including a flow restriction formed at or near a distal end thereof configured to adjust a pressure of fluid being directed through the at least one fluid delivery conduit;   supplying a fluid comprising the therapeutic agent under positive pressure to the at least one fluid delivery conduit; and   ejecting the fluid from one or more outlet ports formed in the at least one fluid delivery conduit to deliver the fluid to the target region.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising delivering an enzyme through the at least one fluid delivery conduit in unison with the fluid to enhance penetration of the therapeutic agent into the target region. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method is used to treat at least one condition selected from central-nervous-system (CNS) neoplasm, intractable epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, lysosomal storage disease, chronic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, balance disorders, hearing disorders, and cavernous malformations.