System and Method for Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Agents to Tissue

Abstract

Novel systems for and methods of delivering therapeutic agents to target tissues are disclosed. The method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a target tissue involves identifying a target tissue via an imaging modality and then using a guidewire capable of anchoring in tissue to advance a cannula to the target tissue. The guidewire and novel cannula configurations enable rapid and repeated treatments of the target tissue without the need for subsequent imaging. The cannula is coupled to a source of ultrasound, radiation, radiofrequency energy, or chemotherapeutic agents which can then be delivered to from the cannula the target tissue. The system and method can be used to treat tumors that are small or surgically inoperable. In addition, the system can be used to treat lymphatic tissue that may contain metastases from the tumors.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating tumor cells in lymphatic tissue, the method comprising;
 identifying a tumor via an imaging modality;   providing a needle having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen;   inserting the needle into a patient so that its distal end is proximate a tumor;   inserting a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end through the lumen of the needle;   advancing the guidewire in the lumen so that its distal end is positioned proximate the tumor;   removing the needle from the patient;   providing a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and at least two lumens;   inserting the proximal end of the guidewire into one of the lumens of the cannula and advancing the cannula over the guidewire until the distal end of the cannula is proximate the tumor but not within a blood vessel;   coupling one of the lumens on the proximal end of the cannula to a source of therapeutic agent; and,   delivering the therapeutic agent to the target tissue so as to enable local lymphatic vessels to absorb the therapeutic agent.   
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the imaging modality is selected from the group consisting of computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, fluorography, ultrasound, radioimmunoscintigraphy, radiography, indirect visualization and direct visualization. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a chemotherapeutic agent, biological agent, endothelial cell growth factor inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, ethanol, radiosensitizer, or a fluid with a temperature above 37 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the biological agent is selected from the group consisting of monoclonal antibodies, immunoconjugates, cytokines, oncolytic viruses, vaccines, or genetic material. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end of the guidewire is comprised of nitinol. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the distal end of the guidewire has a first configuration when inside the lumen of the needle and a second configuration when outside the lumen of the needle. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the second configuration is selected from the group consisting of a loop, hook, semi-circle, polygon, pig-tail, harpoon, toggle, closed loop, arrow head, or barbed arrow. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the rate of delivery of the therapeutic agent to the target tissue is controlled by a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the target tissue is a lymph node or a lymphatic vessel.