Electroporation Device and Injection Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for injecting a fluid into body tissue, the apparatus comprising: a hollow needle; and fluid delivery means, wherein the apparatus is adapted to actuate the fluid delivery means in use so as to automatically inject fluid into body tissue during insertion of the needle into the said body tissue.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for injecting a fluid into body tissue, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one hollow needle configured for receiving a voltage and acting as an electrode to propagate an electric field to electroporate the body tissue;   a fluid delivery assembly comprising:
 a syringe connected to the hollow needle; 
 a piston that extends within the first syringe; and 
   an automatic insertion and injection mechanism comprising:
 a first gear configured to engage a first rack; and 
 a second gear configured to engage a second rack, the second rack configured to engage the piston and to be driven by the first gear so as to advance the second rack, 
   wherein the automatic insertion and injection mechanism is configured to insert the hollow needle in the body tissue to a first desired depth, and to advance the hollow needle from the first desired depth to a second desired depth in the body tissue, and   wherein the automatic insertion and injection mechanism is further configured to automatically 1) advance the second rack against the piston to inject the fluid from the hollow needle gradually into the body tissue at a rate that is uniform over time concurrently as the hollow needle is advanced into said body tissue from the first desired depth to the second desired depth, and 2) halt piston when the hollow needle has been inserted to the second desired depth to automatically stop injection of the fluid into the body tissue.