An implantable reservoir device (400) including an enclosed membrane (408) on an expandable frame (402) that defines a reservoir (410) and includes a porous region (418). The reservoir device (400) may be deployed and expanded within a blood vessel, and may be filled in situ or prefilled with a drug that passes through the porous region (418). Alternatively, a pair of expandable endovascular blockers (500) may be used to isolate a section of a blood vessel which may be filled with a drug that may be absorbed by the surrounding tissue.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for delivering substances into a body, more particularly to systems and methods that use the cardiovascular system as a conduit to deliver drugs, such as therapeutic drugs, genes, growth factors and the like, directly to selected tissue regions within the body, and most particularly to systems and methods that deliver drugs from the venous system transvascularly to selected remote tissue regions.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to deliver drugs into a patient's body to treat medical conditions. In particular, a variety of drug therapies are available for treating the coronary system, either alone or in combination with more invasive procedures. Such therapies may include delivering substances, such as nitroglycerin, epinepharin, or lydocaine, endocardially or into the pericardial space to treat the coronary system. In addition, heparin, hirudin, ReoPro.TM. or other anti-thrombotic compounds may be infused into blood vessels associated with the coronary system, such as occluded coronary arteries, or elsewhere in the cardiovascular system. More recently, gene therapy, e.g. introducing genetic material, and growth factor therapy, e.g. introducing proteins, cells or vectors including angiogenic growth factors, have been demonstrated to provide potential benefits in treating ischemic heart tissue and other regions of the coronary system, for example, by stimulating growth of neovascular conduits, which may evolve into new blood vessels.

In current medical therapy, one method of delivering such drugs involves percutaneously introducing an infusion catheter into the patient's cardiovascular system. A distal portion of the catheter is directed to a desired endovascular location, for example into a coronary artery, and a drug is infused into the artery at a location reachable intraluminally. The catheter may include a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, the distal end having one or more outlet ports. A source of the drug, such as a syringe, may be connected to the proximal end and the drug delivered through the lumen and outlet port(s) into the desired location.

For example, a "bolus," i.e. a relatively large single dose of a drug, may be delivered using an infusion catheter into an artery, which may be absorbed by the arterial wall, the surrounding tissue, and/or may be carried by blood flow to regions further downstream from the delivery location. Alternatively, the drug may be infused continuously or intermittently into the artery for an extended period of time.

The infusion catheter often includes a porous perfusion balloon on its distal end, the interior of which communicates with the outlet port(s) and lumen in the catheter. Pores or holes in the balloon may be arranged to direct the drug from the balloon towards the arterial wall to improve penetration into the arterial wall and attempt to localize delivery. In addition, the infusion catheter may be provided with an electrode and/or a heating element on or in the balloon to cause electroporation or to heat the surrounding tissue to further improve localized delivery.

Some devices try to enhance localized delivery of drugs using ionophoresis. A first electrode may be provided within a perfusion balloon, and a second electrode provided on an external region of the patient's body near the artery. When direct current is applied between the electrodes, a drug carried by an electrically charged compound may be directed along the path of current flow from the internal electrode towards the external electrode in an attempt to improve penetration of the drug into the arterial wall and surrounding tissue.

As an alternative to perfusion balloons and/or infusion catheters, a drug may be embedded in or deposited on a catheter, e.g. in the catheter wall, the wall of a non-porous balloon on the catheter, and/or a coating on the catheter. After the distal end is directed to a desired location, the drug may be delivered into an artery, for example, by ionophoresis similar to that described above or by simply allowing the drug to dissolve within the artery.

In an alternative to delivering a bolus of drugs, it is often desirable to provide sustained delivery of a drug within the cardiovascular system. For example, a pair of occlusion balloons disposed along the length of a catheter may be provided on an infusion catheter that may be directed endovascularly to a desired location within an artery. The balloons may be inflated to isolate a section of the artery between them, and a drug may be delivered into the isolated section in an attempt to provide sustained delivery to the isolated section. The balloons are then deflated, and the catheter removed from the body.

Drug delivery devices may also be implanted within an artery to provide sustained delivery. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,784 issued to Strecker discloses an expandable annular sleeve that may be deployed within an artery. A small quantity of drugs may be introduced between the sleeve wall and the surrounding arterial wall to directly contact the arterial wall, where they may be absorbed over an extended period of time. PCT Publication No. WO 95/01138 discloses a porous ceramic sleeve that may be implanted directly in tissue, such as in bone marrow or a surgically created pouch. The sleeve includes drugs within a cell culture or matrix in the sleeve, which may, for example, be dispersed in the pores of the sleeve or be provided in a cylindrical insert.

In addition, a number of extravascular methods have also been suggested. For example, drugs may be injected directly into a desired tissue region, typically by accessing the region through a chest incision. Alternatively, a polymer gel or drug-soaked sponge may be attached to the outside of a vessel or to a portion of the endocardium to be absorbed by the contacted region. In addition, the pericardial space may have substances injected directly into it, for example by accessing the pericardial sac through a chest incision. Such methods may provide either single dose or sustained delivery of drugs to the heart.

One of the problems often associated with existing methods is dilution or "wash-out" of the drug during delivery. Dilution may substantially reduce the effectiveness of a therapy by preventing sufficient quantities of the drug from reaching a desired region. For example, during endovascular delivery using an infusion catheter, the drug may be diluted as it travels through the arterial wall or may be carried downstream through the artery to other regions within the coronary system and/or elsewhere in the body.

The volume of drug may be increased to offset dilution concerns, but this may exacerbate concerns about undesired dissemination of the drug. For example, certain therapeutic drugs, genetic material and growth factors may have undesired global side effects. Releasing a drug into the blood stream may allow it to be carried throughout the coronary system or elsewhere in the body where it may have significant adverse effects. Similar adverse effects may result from pericardial delivery, in which a drug may be absorbed throughout the coronary system, rather than only in a desired local region.

Further, many conventional methods are unable to provide effective sustained delivery, which may be important to the success of certain treatments, such as gene or growth factor therapy, where it may be desirable to maintain a drug in a desired region for hours, days or even longer. Occlusion systems, such as the dual occlusion balloon catheter, or the implantable sleeves described above, may be able to isolate a region of an artery for some sustained treatments.

Such occlusion devices, however, may introduce additional risks associated with obstructing flow within the coronary system for extended periods of time. In particular, if the arterial system is occluded for more than short periods of time during treatment, substantial damage may occur, for example, ischemia and possibly infarction of tissue downstream from the occluded region.

Conventional endovascular systems may also be inadequate to access certain tissues in need of treatment. For example, infusion catheters may be unable to pass through an occluded region of an artery to treat ischemic tissue downstream of the region. Further, it may be hazardous to direct an endovascular device through a stenotic region because of the risk of releasing embolic material from the arterial wall, which may travel downstream and become embedded in other vessels or even travel to vital organs, such as the brain, where they may cause substantial damage or even death.

More invasive methods, such as direct injection of drugs, may provide access to otherwise unattainable regions. Such methods, however, typically involve open-chest or other invasive surgical procedures, and the costs and risks associated with them.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods of delivering drugs to desired locations within the body with greater precision, reduced global side-effects, and/or that substantially reduce the problems of the previous systems and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for delivering a drug to a tissue region within a patient's body, and in particular to systems and methods that use the venous system as a conduit to deliver a drug directly to a remote tissue region, or to facilitate a catheter-based intervention. "Drug" as defined herein includes any therapeutic drugs, genetic materials, growth factors, cells, e.g. myocites, vectors carrying growth factors, and similar therapeutic agents or substances that may be delivered within a patient's body for any therapeutic, diagnostic or other procedure. In one aspect of the present invention, a transvascular catheter system is provided that generally includes a catheter, a drug delivery element, an orientation element, and possibly a puncturing element and/or an imaging element. The catheter has a proximal portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a blood vessel, and defines a periphery and a longitudinal axis. The puncturing element is deployable from the distal portion in a predetermined relationship with the circumference or periphery of the catheter, and includes a distal tip adapted to penetrate a wall of a blood vessel to access a tissue region beyond the wall of the blood vessel. The drug delivery element is provided on the distal portion for delivering a drug to the tissue region, and an orientation element is also provided on the distal portion in a predetermined relationship with the periphery of the catheter and the puncturing element.

Preferably, the catheter has a peripheral opening at a predetermined location on the periphery of the distal portion through which the puncturing element may be deployed, and a needle lumen communicating with the peripheral opening for receiving the puncturing element therethrough. The needle lumen includes a deflecting element adapted to direct the distal tip substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis when the puncturing element is deployed.

The system may include an imaging element adjacent the orientation element for detecting the location of the orientation element with respect to the tissue region. For example, the imaging element may be an ultrasound transducer which may be received in a lumen extending between the proximal and distal portions of the catheter.

In a first preferred embodiment, the puncturing element is a needle and the drug delivery element is a lumen in the needle. The needle may include an array of outlet ports for providing a predetermined flow pattern of fluid into the tissue region accessed by the needle. In addition, at least a portion of the needle may be a conductive material electrically coupled to a proximal end of the puncturing element for coupling the needle to a source of electric current. Alternatively, the puncturing element may be a plurality of needles deployable from predetermined locations on the distal portion to provide a selected trajectory pattern into the tissue region.

In a second preferred embodiment, the puncturing element includes a guide wire, and the drug delivery element is deployable over the guide wire. For example, the drug delivery element may be an infusion catheter, possibly including a perfusion balloon. Alternatively, the drug delivery element may include an indwelling catheter which is delivered over the guide wire, either before or after removal of the transvascular catheter. The drug delivery element may include a first electrode thereon adapted to be electrically coupled to a second electrode. When direct current is directed between the first and second electrodes, fluid from the drug delivery element may be ionophoretically directed from the drug delivery element towards the second electrode. Alternatively, the drug delivery element may be an osmotic surface on the transvascular catheter, the infusion catheter or the indwelling catheter.

To assist in orienting the system during use, the orientation element preferably has an asymmetric configuration aligned with the puncturing element, for example with the peripheral opening through which the puncturing element may be deployed. In a first preferred embodiment, the orientation element is a "cage" structure that includes a plurality of struts extending axially along the distal portion. Preferably, a first strut is provided at a location in direct axial alignment with the peripheral opening, and a pair of struts are provided opposite the first strut to "point" towards the peripheral opening. Alternatively, the orientation element may include a marker that may be imaged using an external imaging system, and preferably a pair of markers disposed opposite one another on the periphery, either instead of or preferably in addition to the "cage" structure.

A transvascular catheter system in accordance with the present invention may be used to deliver a drug to a tissue region within a patient's body, such as into the myocardium or a coronary artery from the coronary venous system, in a method which may proceed as follows. The distal portion of the catheter may be percutaneously introducing into a blood vessel, and directed endovascularly to a vessel location adjacent to the tissue region selected for treatment. The puncturing element may be oriented towards the selected tissue region, and deployed to access the tissue region. A drug may then be delivered with the drug delivery element to the tissue region.

Preferably, when the puncturing element is being oriented, the orientation element is imaged, for example with an imaging element adjacent the orientation element. The imaging element is preferably operated to obtain an image of the orientation element in relation to the surrounding tissue, thereby identifying the orientation of the puncturing element because of the predetermined relationship between the orientation element and the puncturing element. Preferably, the imaging element is an ultrasound transducer within the catheter that may be used to obtain image slices along a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the images preferably including the orientation element, the selected tissue region and/or other landmarks within the vessel or the surrounding tissue.

Where the puncturing element is a drug delivery needle, the needle may be deployed, penetrating a wall of the blood vessel and entering the tissue region, and the drug may be delivered through a lumen in the needle. Alternatively, a drug delivery element may be deployed in combination with the puncturing element. For example, an infusion catheter may be advanced over the puncturing element to the tissue region, and the drug infused therethrough, or through a porous balloon on the infusion catheter which may be inflated within the tissue region.

Prior to delivering the drug, a "mapping" procedure may be used to ensure that the drug will be delivered as desired into the specific tissue region selected for treatment. For example, a radiographic agent may be delivered using the drug delivery element to observe the flow thereof with respect to the selected tissue region. Once it has been confirmed that the radiographic agent flows as desired into the selected tissue region, the drug may then be introduced, thereby possibly avoiding misdelivery of what are often quite expensive drugs. Alternatively, a radiographic agent and the like may be mixed with the drug to track the flow of the drug within the body, particularly with respect to the selected tissue region.

In another preferred method, the transvascular catheter system may be used to create a drug reservoir directly in a selected tissue region. For example, a tissue ablation device may be provided that is deployable in combination with the puncturing element for creating a cavity in an extravascular tissue region. The ablation device may be advanced over the puncturing element into the tissue region, and an ablation element thereon activated to create a cavity or drug reservoir within the tissue region. A drug may then be introduced into the drug reservoir, which may be sealed from the vessel, for example by introducing a sealant or matrix into the drug reservoir. Alternatively, the drug reservoir may be formed by removing a portion of the tissue region, for example with a cutting instrument or similar mechanical device.

In a further alternative, the transvascular system may be used to facilitate an indwelling catheter-based intervention. The catheter may be introduced into a vessel, and then the puncturing element may be oriented and deployed into a tissue region, such as interstitial tissue or another blood vessel. A guide wire may be advanced into the tissue region, and the transvascular catheter may then be removed, leaving the guide wire in place, possibly anchored to the tissue region. A thin, floppy catheter may be tracked over the guide wire into the tissue region, and left in place within the tissue region, and the wire may be removed. The indwelling catheter may be taped, ported or otherwise secured to the patient depending upon the length of time therapy is desired. The tissue region may then be accessed via the indwelling catheter to deliver a drug to the tissue region as often as desired.

In another aspect of the present invention, an implantable drug reservoir system may be used to provide sustained delivery of a drug within the cardiovascular system of a patient. Generally, the system includes a reservoir device having an expandable frame and a flexible membrane thereon. The frame is adapted to expand between a collapsed condition for insertion into a blood vessel and an enlarged condition for engaging a wall of the blood vessel. The frame is preferably biased towards the enlarged condition, and also preferably defines a longitudinal axis and a periphery.

The flexible membrane is attached to the frame to define a reservoir therein, and includes a porous region, such as a semi-permeable material, that is preferably disposed along the periphery of the frame. A drug, possibly together with an anti-coagulant, is provided within the reservoir that is adapted to pass through the porous region of the membrane. An end region of the membrane may be penetrable, for example by a needle, to facilitate in situ filling of the reservoir.

In an alternative embodiment of the implantable drug reservoir system, a reservoir device similar to that described above may be provided with a septum dividing the reservoir within the membrane into first and second reservoir regions. The membrane preferably includes an osmotic region communicating with the first reservoir region, and the porous region of the membrane preferably communicates with the second reservoir region.

During use, the reservoir device may be introduced along a blood vessel to a location adjacent a selected tissue region, for example within a coronary vein adjacent to an occluded artery or ischemic myocardial tissue. The reservoir device may be deployed and expanded, preferably automatically, to its enlarged condition to anchor the reservoir device within the blood vessel. A drug may be prefilled within the reservoir or an injection device may be advanced to penetrate the membrane of the reservoir device and fill the reservoir in situ with the drug.

The drug may then permeate, seep, or otherwise pass through the porous region, preferably directly into the wall of the vessel and the surrounding tissue region. If desired, the reservoir may be refilled in situ using an injection device as the drug is dispersed or otherwise absorbed by the tissue. Similarly, a reservoir device having a septum panel may deliver the drug in the second reservoir region to the tissue region as the first reservoir region osmotically fills, thereby slowly forcing or "pumping" the drug through the porous region.

In another preferred embodiment of an implantable drug reservoir system, a pair of expandable devices, similar to the reservoir devices may be used. The expandable devices, or endovascular "blockers," include an expandable frame, and a non-porous membrane covering at least one end of the frame, and preferably extending along at least a portion of the periphery.

The first blocker is advanced in a collapsed condition along the blood vessel to a location adjacent the selected tissue region. The first blocker is then expanded to its enlarged condition, thereby sealing the blood vessel at the location from fluid flow along the blood vessel. The second blocker is then advanced in a collapsed condition along the blood vessel to the location, preferably adjacent the first blocker. The second blocker is then expanded to its enlarged condition, thereby further sealing the blood vessel at the location from fluid flow along the blood vessel. The second blocker is preferably deployed a predetermined distance from the first blocker, thereby defining a substantially sealed drug reservoir within the blood vessel itself between the blockers.

A drug may be introduced into the blood vessel adjacent the first blocker, either before or after the second blocker is deployed. For example, the second blocker may include an end panel only on the end away from the drug reservoir between the blockers, and an injection device may be advanced to penetrate the end panel. The drug may then be introduced into the second blocker and consequently into the drug reservoir between the blockers. Thus, a section of a blood vessel may be isolated and a drug delivered therein to provide sustained and localized delivery of the drug into the selected tissue region surrounding the vessel.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for precisely delivering a drug to a selected tissue location within the body.

It is also an object to provide a system and method for providing sustained delivery of a drug to a desired location within the body over an extended period of time.

It is also an object to provide a system and method for creating a reservoir within the body for receiving a drug to provide sustained delivery to a desired tissue region within the body.

It is also an object to provide a system and method that use the cardiovascular system as a conduit to deliver a drug to a selected remote tissue region within the body with substantial precision.

It is also an object to provide a system and method for delivering a drug transvascularly using the venous system as a conduit to access a selected remote tissue region.

More particularly, it is specifically an object of the present invention to use the coronary venous system to provide access to a highly remote tissue region of the body, e.g. heart tissue.

Claim 1 of 10 Claims

1. A reservoir device for providing sustained delivery of a drug within the cardiovascular system of a patient, comprising: a substantially cylindrical frame adapted to expand between a collapsed condition for insertion into a blood vessel and an enlarged condition for engaging a wall of the blood vessel, the frame defining a longitudinal axis and a periphery; and a flexible membrane attached to the frame, the membrane including a generally cylindrical periphery with transversely disposed end panels attached to the periphery to define a generally cylindrical reservoir having closed ends, a porous region being disposed along at least a portion of the periphery of the flexible membrane such that drug that has been injected into the reservoir will pass out of the reservoir through said porous region at least one of said end panels being formed of material which can be penetrated by a hollow needle through which drug may be injected into the reservoir and which will automatically reseal after the needle is withdrawn.

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