Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body tissue, comprising: an elongate jacket having (i) proximal and distal ends, (ii) one or more lumens extending between said ends, and (iii) a substantially blunt, distal-end face comprising (a) a plate-like member mounted substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said jacket at the distal end of said jacket, wherein said plate-like member defines said distal end face, and (b) one or more bores extend through said plate-like member, with each bore defining one or more outlet ports, wherein said outlet ports communicate with one or more of said lumens, and wherein each of said outlet ports have a diameter of about 0.025″ or less; and a pressure-control source adapted for fluid communication with one or more of said lumens, said source being operable to establish an elevated pressure within such lumen(s) such that an agent placed therein will be propelled toward, and out of, one or more of said outlet ports, thereby forming one or more respective fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue disposed adjacent thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body tissue, comprising: an elongate jacket having (i) proximal and distal ends, (ii) one or more lumens extending between said ends, and (iii) a substantially blunt, distal-end face comprising (a) a plate-like member mounted substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said jacket at the distal end of said jacket, wherein said plate-like member defines said distal end face, and (b) one or more bores extend through said plate-like member, with each bore defining one or more outlet ports, wherein said outlet ports communicate with one or more of said lumens, and wherein each of said outlet ports have a diameter of about 0.025″ or less; and a pressure-control source adapted for fluid communication with one or more of said lumens, said source being operable to establish an elevated pressure within such lumen(s) such that an agent placed therein will be propelled toward, and out of, one or more of said outlet ports, thereby forming one or more respective fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue disposed adjacent thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of said outlet ports has a diameter within a range of from about 0.00025″ to about 0.020″.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central, longitudinal axis of at least one of said outlet ports is oriented substantially parallel to the central, longitudinal axis of said jacket at its distal end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said jacket is adapted to withstand an internal pressure of at least about 300 psi along its proximal end, and at least about 100 psi along its distal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pressure-control source is adapted to generate an internal pressure at the distal end of said jacket, proximate to said outlet ports, of at least about 20 psi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said jacket includes a distal end region adapted for navigation through the vasculature of a subject body so that said outlet ports can be positioned adjacent a wall of such selected tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least two separate lumens extend through said jacket, each distally terminating at a fluid connection with at least one of said outlet ports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said separate lumens are defined by respective elongate tubes extending through said jacket, with each tube having an internal passage with a diameter of from about 0.010″ to about 0.020″.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an elongate catheter sleeve having (i) proximal and distal ends and (ii) one or more lumens between said ends; with one such lumen being adapted to removably receive said jacket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said jacket-receiving lumen is further adapted to serve as a guidewire channel, when said jacket is removed therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein one of said lumens, other than said jacket-receiving lumen, defines a guidewire channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said jacket-receiving lumen and said guidewire channel extend side-by-side from the proximal end to the distal end of said sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein (i) said jacket-receiving lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end of said sleeve, and (ii) said guidewire channel is provided near a distal end of said sleeve to enable use of said apparatus as a rapid exchange type catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising means for maintaining the distal end of the jacket at such a target site while one or more high-energy fluid jets or streams are being directed thereagainst.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising one or more valves, each being disposed at location along a distal region of a respective one of said lumens for regulating fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an agent-holding region adapted for fluid communication with said lumen(s).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the agent is coated on a plurality of carrier micro particles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an ultrasonic transducer disposed across said lumen(s) along a distal-end region of said jacket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distal portion of the jacket is flexible and remotely steerable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more force contact tranducers located on the distal end of the jacket.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a portion of the proximal end of the jacket is substantially rigid and a portion of the distal end of the jacket is substantially flexible and either bendable or remotely steerable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a portion of the distal end of the jacket is bent.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body organ or tissue, comprising: directing one or more fluid jets or streams against a wall or surface of a selected, internal body organ or tissue, with each jet or stream (i) carrying such agent(s); (ii) having a maximum diameter of about 0.025″, or less, as it contacts the wall or surface, and (iii) having an energy sufficient to permit the agent(s) to penetrate the organ or tissue to a depth of at least about 2 mm, wherein said jet fluid jet(s) or stream(s) include(s), in part, a gas that is absorbable by said selected body organ or tissue.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for delivering one or more selected diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a target site within a selected body organ or tissue, comprising: directing one or more fluid jets or streams against a wall or surface of a selected, internal body organ or tissue, with each jet or stream (i) carrying such agent(s); (ii) having a maximum diameter of about 0.025″, or less, as it contacts the wall or surface, and (iii) having an energy sufficient to permit the agent(s) to penetrate the organ or tissue to a depth of at least about 2 mm, wherein said jet fluid jet(s) or stream(s) include(s), in part, a gas that is absorbable by said selected body organ or tissue.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said directing step is effected using an agent-delivery apparatus comprised of an elongate jacket having (a) proximal and distal ends, (b) one or more lumens extending between said ends, and (c) a substantially blunt, distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports communicating with one or more of said lumens; and wherein said agent is directed from said outlet port(s) against such wall or surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein each jet or stream is formed by propelling said agent(s) through at least a portion of said lumen and out of one of said outlet ports under condition of an increased pressure at said port of up to about 100 psi.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein at least one jet or stream is directed substantially along a line angled no greater than about 35 degrees in respect to a line normal to such wall or surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein at least one jet or stream is directed substantially along a line normal to such wall or surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the selected tissue is myocardial tissue, and the selected agent is directed against an endocardial wall, a septal wall, or an epicardial wall from a distance no greater than about 5 mm from such wall.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the selected agent has angiogenic properties.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the selected agent includes a nucleic acid or a protein.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein the selected agent includes a nucleic acid carried on micro-particles.