Apparatus and methods for delivering therapeutic agents

Abstract

The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The apparatus generally comprises at least one container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source for facilitating delivery of the therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the pressure source may be placed in selective fluid communication with a proximal region of the container and fluid from the pressure source may flow through at least a portion of the container to urge the therapeutic agent through container towards the target site. In an alternative embodiment, the container and the pressure source may be coupled to first and second inlet ports of a connecting member, respectively, such that the therapeutic agent flows through an outlet port of the connecting member and towards the target site.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus suitable for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to a target site, the apparatus comprising:
 a connecting member having first and second inlet ports and an outlet port;   at least one container for holding a therapeutic agent, wherein the first inlet port of the connecting member is selectively coupled to the container;   pressurized fluid adapted to flow through the second inlet port of the connecting member;   at least one tube member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the tube member is coupled to the outlet port of the connecting member, and the distal end of the tube member is sized to be placed in fluid communication with a target site,   wherein the flow of the pressurized fluid through the second inlet port and the outlet port is adapted to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction away from the container and through the first inlet port and the tube member for delivery of the therapeutic agent to the target site; and   an anti-reflux valve coupled to the distal end of the tube member, wherein the anti-reflux valve is configured to reduce foreign fluids from flowing proximally into the tube member,   wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a powder.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a separate valve, which is distinct from the anti-reflux valve, that is disposed distal to the container and proximal to the tube member, where the separate valve selectively inhibits flow of the therapeutic agent through the distal region of the container and into the first inlet port without inhibiting flow from the pressure source through the second inlet port. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the outlet port of the connecting member is aligned along a substantially longitudinal axis, while at least one of the first and second inlet ports is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein both the first and second inlet ports are disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outlet port. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the angles ranges from about 20 to about 70 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the second inlet port of the connecting member is disposed in closer proximity to the outlet port, relative to the positioning of the first inlet port with respect to the outlet port. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressurized fluid originates from a pressure source comprising a compressed gas dispenser. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising a regulating valve disposed between the pressure source and the connecting member. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the container comprises a syringe having proximal and distal regions, wherein the distal region is adapted to be coupled to the first inlet port of the connecting member, and wherein the proximal region comprises a plunger. 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus suitable for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to a target site, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one container for holding a therapeutic agent, the container having an outlet end;   pressurized fluid adapted to flow past the outlet end of the container, wherein the pressurized fluid does not flow through the container;   at least one tube member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the tube member is disposed distal to the outlet end of the at least one container, and wherein the distal end of the tube member is sized to be placed in fluid communication with a target site,   wherein the flow of the pressurized fluid past the outlet end of the container is adapted to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction away from the container and through the tube member for delivery of the therapeutic agent to the target site; and   an anti-reflux valve coupled to the distal end of the tube member, wherein the anti-reflux valve is configured to reduce foreign fluids from flowing proximally into the tube member,   wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a powder.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising a separate valve, which is distinct from the anti-reflux valve, that is disposed distal to the container and proximal to the tube member, where the separate valve selectively inhibits flow of the therapeutic agent through the distal region of the container. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the pressurized fluid originates from a pressure source comprising a compressed gas dispenser. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising a connecting member having first and second inlet ports and an outlet port, wherein the first inlet port of the connecting member is selectively coupled to the container, wherein pressurized fluid is adapted to flow through the second inlet port of the connecting member, and wherein the proximal end of the tube member is coupled to the outlet port of the connecting member. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the outlet port of the connecting member is aligned along a substantially longitudinal axis, while at least one of the first and second inlet ports is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein both the first and second inlet ports are disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outlet port. 
     
     
         36 . Apparatus suitable for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to a target site, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one container for holding a therapeutic agent, wherein the container comprises proximal and distal regions;   a pressure source configured to be placed in selective fluid communication with the proximal region of the container;   at least one tube member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the tube member is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the distal region of the container and the target site,   wherein the provision of a fluid from the pressure source through at least a portion of the container is adapted to urge a mixture of the fluid from the pressure source and the therapeutic agent through the distal region of the container and through the tube member in a distal direction towards the target site; and   an anti-reflux valve coupled to the distal end of the tube member, wherein the anti-reflux valve is configured to reduce foreign fluids from flowing proximally into the tube member,   wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a powder.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , further comprising a separate valve, which is distinct from the anti-reflux valve, that is disposed distal to the container and proximal to the tube member, where the separate valve selectively inhibits flow of the therapeutic agent through the distal region of the container and into the tube member. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the pressure source comprises a compressed gas dispenser. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , further comprising a tube disposed between the pressure source and the container. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , further comprising a pressure relief valve disposed between the pressure source and the container.