초록 ▼

A fluid delivery system for delivering and injecting fluid into heart tissue, or other organ tissues. The fluid delivery system includes an injection catheter disposed in an elongate sheath. A nozzle, including an injection array, is disposed adjacent the distal end of the injection catheter. In a f

A fluid delivery system for delivering and injecting fluid into heart tissue, or other organ tissues. The fluid delivery system includes an injection catheter disposed in an elongate sheath. A nozzle, including an injection array, is disposed adjacent the distal end of the injection catheter. In a first (microneedle) embodiment, the injection array comprises a plurality of microneedles each defining an injection lumen in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter. In a second (needle-less) embodiment, the injection array comprises a plurality of injection lumens in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter. Fluid is transferred to the injection lumen array from a fluid source through the lumen in the catheter. The injection lumen array distributes the fluid at the injection site over a greater area than would otherwise be achieved with a single needle injection. Thus, the injection lumen array improves fluid retention in the tissue at the injection site.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A catheter for delivering a therapeutic to target tissue within the body of a patient, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough; and a nozzle member disposed proximate the distal end of the tubular member, the nozzl

1. A catheter for delivering a therapeutic to target tissue within the body of a patient, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough; and a nozzle member disposed proximate the distal end of the tubular member, the nozzle member including an injection array at a distal end of the nozzle member, the injection array comprising a plurality of injection orifices, each injection orifice fluidly coupled to the lumen of the elongate tubular member, the orientation of the injection orifices being fixed relative to each other. 2. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising: an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough wherein the tubular member is slidingly disposed in the lumen of the sheath. 3. The catheter of claim 2, further comprising: an anchor disposed at an end of the sheath. 4. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the anchor comprises a vacuum orifice. 5. The catheter of claim 4, wherein the vacuum orifice is in fluid communication with a vacuum source via the lumen of the elongate tubular member. 6. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the sheath further comprises: a hood disposed at the distal end of the sheath. 7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the distal end of the elongate tubular member may be retracted within the hood. 8. The catheter of claim 2, further comprising: a fluid source in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath. 9. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the sheath further comprises: a support member disposed around the elongate tubular member. 10. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the sheath is made of polyether block amide. 11. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each injection orifice is positioned at an end of a micro-needle, the micro-needle coupled to the lumen. 12. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the micro-needle is slidably placed in the nozzle member. 13. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the micro-needle has a penetrating length of approximately 0.5 to 5 mm. 14. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the orifices are an open end of a plurality of injection lumens defined by the nozzle member. 15. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the orifices have a diameter of approximately 0.00005 to 0.005 inches. 16. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the target tissue is the heart. 17. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular member is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. 18. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular member is made of material having a low-friction surface. 19. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising an anchor disposed proximate the distal end of the tubular member.