Implantable device for the locationally accurate delivery and administration of substances into the pericardium or onto the surface of the heart

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for the administration of substances onto the epicardial surface of the heart. The device comprises a frame structure which is able to assume shaping, positioning, guiding and stabilizing functions. The frame structure may contain at least one sleeve. The device comprises a substance carrier which is able to accommodate the substance to be administered.

1 . Device for the administration of a substance to a surface of the heart comprising:
 a frame structure,   a sleeve,   a substance carrier and   a substance to be administered.   
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an expandable unit. 
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein the expandable unit is mounted on the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein the expandable unit is part of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . Device according to one of  claims 2 , wherein the substance carrier is mounted on the expandable unit. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance carrier is mounted on the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance carrier is a pocket. 
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 7 , wherein the substance to be administered is inserted into the pocket. 
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 7 , wherein the substance to be administered is inserted into the pocket on a carrier. 
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pocket has a removable area on the surface of the pocket facing the heart. 
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 10 , wherein the removable area may be removed from outside the body after implantation of the device. 
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 10 , wherein the removable area is at least partially biodegradable. 
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pocket comprises a permeable area. 
     
     
         14 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance carrier has a delivery line. 
     
     
         15 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance carrier comprises a spongy or porous structure. 
     
     
         16 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is affixed to the frame structure. 
     
     
         17 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device may be implanted minimally invasively. 
     
     
         18 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame structure is made out of wire, in particular out of a wire comprising a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         19 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance to be administered is a pharmaceutical active agent. 
     
     
         20 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance to be administered comprises cells. 
     
     
         21 . Device according to  claim 1  further comprising a supply unit. 
     
     
         22 . Device according to  claim 21 , wherein the supply unit comprises a substance reservoir. 
     
     
         23 . Device for implanting the device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device for implanting comprises a tubular delivery system. 
     
     
         24 . Device for implanting according to  claim 23 , wherein the tubular delivery system has a distal end face which is slanted. 
     
     
         25 . Device for explanting the device according to one of the  claims 1 , wherein the device for explanting comprises a cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         26 . Device for explanting according to  claim 25 , wherein the cylindrical tube comprises a radial widening at the distal end. 
     
     
         27 . Method for producing a device for the administration of a substance onto a surface of the heart comprising the following steps:
 Provision of a frame structure;   Mounting of a sleeve on the frame structure;   Mounting of a substance carrier; and   Charging of the substance carrier with a substance to be administered.   
     
     
         28 . Method according to  claim 27 , wherein the substance carrier is mounted on the sleeve. 
     
     
         29 . Method according to  claim 27  further comprising an expandable unit. 
     
     
         30 . Method according to  claim 29 , wherein the substance carrier is mounted on the expandable unit. 
     
     
         31 . Method for the administration of a substance to a surface of the heart comprising:
 inserting a device for the administration of a substance to a surface of the heart comprising:
 a frame structure, 
 a sleeve, 
 a substance carrier and 
 a substance to be administered. 
   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein inserting the device comprises:
 inserting a delivery device into the body and into the pericardium; and 
 inserting the device for the administration of a substance to a surface of the heart into the body and into the pericardium via the delivery device.