Catheter system for delivery of therapeutic compounds to cardiac tissue

Abstract

This is a method and an apparatus for the treatment or introduction of contrast fluids into tissue, particularly cardiac tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter having an elongated flexible body and a tissue infusion apparatus including a hollow infusion needle configured to secure the needle into the tissue when the needle is at least partially inserted into the tissue to help prevent inadvertent removal of the needle from the tissue. This permits the selected treatment or contrast fluid to be confined to a specific site. The catheter may also include a visualization assembly including a transducer at the distal end of the body.

1 - 77 . (canceled)  
     
     
         78 . A catheter system for delivery of a therapeutic compound to cardiac tissue through the endocardium comprising: 
 a) an elongated catheter body for advancing into the heart, the catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal longitudinal lumen; the internal lumen of the catheter body being fluidly coupled to a fluid delivery port for receiving a gene therapy agent; and a hollow penetrating structure for inserting into cardiac tissue, the penetrating structure being mounted to the distal end of the catheter body and having an internal lumen fluidly coupled to the internal lumen of the catheter body, and    b) a source of said gene therapy agent wherein said gene therapy agent is deliverable into the cardiac tissue through said penetrating structure.    
     
     
         79 . The catheter system of  claim 78  wherein the gene therapy agent comprises a modified gene.  
     
     
         80 . The catheter system of  claim 78  wherein the gene therapy agent comprises an antisense polynucleotide.  
     
     
         81 . The catheter system of  claim 80  wherein the antisense polynucleotide is introduced using a retroviral vector.  
     
     
         82 . A method for delivering a gene therapy agent to a cardiac tissue delivery site comprising the steps: 
 a) selecting a cardiac tissue delivery site;    b) selecting the gene therapy agent for delivery; and    c) selecting a catheter system comprising an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end an internal longitudinal lumen; and a needle mounted to the distal end of the catheter body and fluidly coupled to the internal lumen of the catheter body; the internal lumen of the catheter body being fluidly coupled to a fluid delivery port for receiving the gene therapy agent under pressure.    
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82  further comprising the step of at least partially inserting the needle into the cardiac tissue delivery site.  
     
     
         84 . A catheter system for delivery of a therapeutic compound to cardiac tissue through the endocardium comprising: 
 a) an elongated catheter body for advancing into the heart, the catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal longitudinal lumen; the internal lumen of the catheter body being fluidly coupled to a fluid delivery port for receiving a gene therapy agent; and a hollow penetrating structure for inserting into and attaching to cardiac tissue, the penetrating structure being mounted to the distal end of the catheter body and having an internal lumen fluidly coupled to the internal lumen of the catheter body, and    b) a source of said gene therapy agent wherein said gene therapy agent is deliverable into the cardiac tissue through said penetrating structure.    
     
     
         85 . A method for delivering a gene therapy agent to a cardiac tissue delivery site comprising the steps: 
 a.) selecting a cardiac tissue delivery site;    b.) selecting the gene therapy agent for delivery; and    c.) selecting a catheter system comprising an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end attachable to the cardiac tissue delivery site and an internal longitudinal lumen; the internal lumen of the catheter body being fluidly coupled to a fluid delivery port for receiving the gene therapy agent under pressure and delivering it into the cardiac tissue delivery site.