Methods of implanting barbed microcatheters having fluid egress openings for infusing therapeutic fluids into tissue

Abstract

A barbed microcatheter includes a hollow tube having an elongated lumen, outwardly projecting barbs, fluid egress openings, a tissue anchor secured to a proximal end of the hollow tube, and a needle secured to the distal end of the hollow tube. The needle is used to form a first tissue opening at the first end of the wound. The hollow tube is pulled through the first tissue opening until the tissue anchor abuts against tissue at the first end of the wound. The needle is used to form a second tissue opening at the second end of the wound. The hollow tube is pulled through the second tissue opening so that barbs engage wound tissue. After cutting away the needle, a therapeutic fluid is introduced into the elongated lumen and passes through the fluid egress openings for infusing the wound with the therapeutic fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering a therapeutic fluid to tissue comprising:
 positioning a barbed microcatheter adjacent a wound having a first end and a second end, said barbed microcatheter including a hollow tube having an elongated lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of said hollow tube, barbs projecting outwardly from said hollow tube, fluid egress openings formed in said hollow tube that are in fluid communication with said elongated lumen, a tissue anchor secured to the proximal end of said hollow tube, and a needle secured to the distal end of said hollow tube;   using said needle to form a first tissue opening at the first end of the wound and pulling said hollow tube through the first tissue opening until said tissue anchor abuts against tissue at the first end of the wound;   using said needle to form a second tissue opening at the second end of the wound and pulling said hollow tube through the second tissue opening so that said barbs projecting outwardly from said hollow tube engage tissue within the wound that is located between the first and second ends of the wound;   passing said needle through a skin layer of a patient so that said needle and the distal end of said hollow tube are located outside the patient;   cutting the distal end of said hollow tube for detaching said needle from said hollow tube;   introducing a therapeutic fluid into the cut distal end of said hollow tube so that said therapeutic fluid flows into said elongated lumen and passes through said fluid egress openings for infusing the wound with said therapeutic fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said hollow tube includes an intermediate section containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings, and wherein after passing said needle through the skin layer, the intermediate section of said hollow tube containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings is located between the first and second ends of the wound. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising closing the wound so that the intermediate section of said hollow tube containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings is disposed within the closed wound. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  2 , wherein the intermediate section of said hollow tube containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings extends along a linear path between the first and second ends of the wound. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  2 , wherein the intermediate section of said hollow tube containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings extends along a non-linear path between the first and second ends of the wound. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  2 , wherein a section of said hollow tube that is located distal to the intermediate section of said hollow tube and that is adjacent the distal end of said hollow tube is devoid of said barbs and said fluid egress openings. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid egress openings are spaced from one another along a length of said hollow tube. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid egress openings have shapes selected from the group consisting of round holes and elongated slits. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said barbed microcatheter comprises an absorbable, biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising impregnating said barbed microcatheter with an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said barbs that engage the tissue within the wound bite into the tissue within the wound to prevent said hollow tube from moving toward the first end of the wound. 
     
     
         12 . A method of delivering a therapeutic fluid to tissue comprising:
 obtaining a barbed microcatheter including a hollow tube having an elongated lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of said hollow tube, said barbed microcatheter including barbs projecting outwardly from said hollow tube, and fluid egress openings formed in said hollow tube that are in fluid communication with said elongated lumen;   forming a first tissue opening at a first end of a wound and pulling said hollow tube through the first tissue opening until said barbs projecting from said hollow tube engage tissue within the wound;   forming a second tissue opening at a second end of the wound and pulling said hollow tube through the second tissue opening;   passing the distal end of said hollow tube through a skin layer of a patient so that the distal end of said hollow tube is located outside the patient;   introducing a therapeutic fluid into the distal end of said hollow tube so that said therapeutic fluid flows into said elongated lumen and passes through said fluid egress openings for infusing the wound with said therapeutic fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 prior to forming the first and second tissue openings, securing a needle to the distal end of said hollow tube;   using said needle to form the first and second tissue openings.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 securing a tissue anchor to the proximal end of said hollow body;   pulling said hollow tube through the second tissue opening until said tissue anchor engages the first tissue opening at the first end of the wound.   
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said hollow tube includes an intermediate section containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings, and wherein after the passing the distal end of said hollow tube through the skin layer step, the intermediate section of said hollow tube containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings is located between the first and second ends of the wound. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising closing the wound so that the intermediate section of said hollow tube containing said barbs and said fluid egress openings is disposed within said closed wound. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  16 , wherein said hollow tube extends along a linear path or a non-linear path located between the first and second ends of the wound. 
     
     
         18 . A method of delivering a therapeutic fluid to tissue comprising:
 obtaining a barbed microcatheter including a hollow tube having an elongated lumen, barbs projecting outwardly from said hollow tube, and fluid egress openings formed in said hollow tube that are in fluid communication with said elongated lumen;   pulling said hollow tube through a wound of a patient so that said fluid egress openings are disposed within the wound and so that said barbs bite into tissue within the wound;   locating an end of said hollow tube outside the patient;   introducing a therapeutic fluid into the end of said hollow tube that is outside the patient so that said therapeutic fluid flows into said elongated lumen and passes through said fluid egress openings for infusing the wound with said therapeutic fluid.   
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said hollow tube extends along a linear or non-linear path through the wound of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said hollow tube has a first section that includes said barbs and said fluid egress openings and a second section that is devoid of said barbs and said fluid egress openings.