Method for delivering therapeutic agents

Abstract

In one form, the therapeutic agent delivery apparatus is used for infusing a therapeutic agent into a body lumen and includes a lumenal body defining a plurality of infusion ports for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen, and a sensing element distal of the infusion ports and adapted to sense the amount of infused therapeutic agent or any compound derived from the therapeutic agent in the body lumen. In another form, the apparatus includes a lumenal body defining a plurality of infusion ports for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen, and a filtration element distal of the infusion ports and adapted to deliver a reaction agent adapted to react with the therapeutic agent in the body lumen. A sensing element may be provided distal of the filtration element for sensing the amount of infused therapeutic agent or compounds derived therefrom in the body lumen.

1 . A method of infusing a therapeutic agent into a body lumen, comprising:
 inserting a lumenal body into the body lumen, the lumenal body defining at least one infusion port for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen;   infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen; and   sensing the amount of infused therapeutic agent or any compound derived from the therapeutic agent in the body lumen with a sensing element disposed distal of the at least one infusion port.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising providing a sensing element signal to a location outside the body lumen with a feedback component associated with the sensing element. 
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sensing element signal is provided to a user interface. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sensing element signal is represented to a user as an audible, visual, or tactile stimulus or a combination stimulus comprising one or more of the audible, visual, and tactile stimuli. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sensing element signal is proportional to the amount of therapeutic agent or derivative thereof sensed by the sensing element. 
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sensing element senses the amount of therapeutic agent or derivative thereof by one or more of resonant detection, light reflectance, and electrical conductivity changes. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising intercepting at least some of the therapeutic agent or derivative thereof in the body lumen with the sensing element. 
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising infusing additional therapeutic agent, a different therapeutic agent, or a reaction agent adapted to react with the therapeutic agents into the body lumen through at least one distal infusion port proximal of the sensing element. 
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising filtering the therapeutic agent or derivative thereof in the body lumen with a filtration element disposed distal of the infusion ports and proximal of the sensing element. 
   
   
       10 . A method of infusing a therapeutic agent into a body lumen, comprising:
 inserting a lumenal body into the body lumen, the lumenal body defining at least one infusion port for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen;   infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen; and   delivering a reaction agent adapted to react with the therapeutic agent in the body lumen with a filtration element disposed distal of the at least one infusion port.   
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the reaction agent is coated on the filtration element and filtering of the therapeutic agent occurs by contact between the coated filtration element and the therapeutic agent. 
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein in the reaction agent is delivered by infusing the reaction agent through at least one distal infusion port forming the filtration element. 
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising sensing the amount of infused therapeutic agent or any compound derived from the therapeutic agent in response to the reaction agent in the body lumen with a sensing element disposed distal of the at least one distal infusion port. 
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , comprising sensing the amount of infused therapeutic agent or any compound derived from the therapeutic agent in response to the reaction agent in the body lumen with a sensing element disposed distal of the filtration element. 
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising providing a sensing element signal to a location outside the body lumen with a feedback component associated with the sensing element. 
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sensing element signal is provided to a user interface. 
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sensing element signal is represented to a user as an audible, visual, or tactile stimulus or a combination stimulus comprising one or more of the audible, visual, and tactile stimuli. 
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sensing element signal is proportional to the amount of therapeutic agent or derivative thereof sensed by the sensing element. 
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the sensing element senses the amount of therapeutic agent or derivative thereof by one or more of resonant detection, light reflectance, and electrical conductivity changes. 
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising intercepting at least some of the therapeutic agent or derivative thereof in the body lumen with the sensing element.