Patent ID: 8672920
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for delivering a substance into an interstitial target area in the body of a mammalian patient, said method comprising the steps of: A. inserting, into a vascular structure through which blood is flowing, a tissue penetrating catheter system that comprises i) a tissue penetrating catheter, ii) a curved penetrator comprising a sharp-tipped needle having a hollow lumen extending therethrough, the penetrator being advanceable laterally from the tissue penetrating catheter and through body tissue, iii) a guidance element that is useable while blood is flowing through said vascular structure to provide an image of the target area along with a predictive indication of the path on which the penetrator is expected to subsequently advance in conjunction with the image of the target area and iv) a delivery catheter having a distal end that is advanceable through the lumen of the penetrator and out of the penetrator into said target area; B. using the predictive indication provided by the guidance element to facilitate positioning of the tissue penetrating catheter in a desired position within the vascular structure; and, subsequently C. with the tissue penetrating catheter in said desired position, advancing the penetrator laterally from the tissue penetrating catheter causing it to pierce through body tissue to a first position and, while the penetrator is in the first position, i) advancing the delivery catheter through the lumen of the penetrator and out the penetrator to a first interstitial deposit location within the target area, thereafter ii) delivering a substance through the delivery catheter to said first interstitial deposit location and, thereafter, iii) retracting the delivery catheter into the lumen of the penetrator; and, thereafter, D. incrementally advancing or retracting the penetrator causing the penetrator to either advance and further pierce through body tissue or retract through previously-pierced body tissue, thereby causing the penetrator to assume a second position and, while the penetrator is in the second position, i) advancing the delivery catheter through the lumen of the penetrator and out the penetrator to a second interstitial deposit location within the target area, thereafter ii) delivering a substance through the delivery catheter to said second interstitial deposit location and, thereafter iii) retracting the delivery catheter into the lumen of the penetrator.