Patent ID: 8377032
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of depositing a bioactive agent into a tissue mass comprising native tissue, comprising: providing a catheter having a proximal end and a distal region and a lumen extending therebetween, an elongated member disposed within the lumen of the catheter, the elongated member having a proximal end, a tissue-piercing distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, and an actuator for selectively extending and retracting the tissue-piercing distal end of the elongated member; disposing the distal region of the catheter adjacent to a tissue mass; operating the actuator to extend the elongated member into the tissue mass to form a needle track having a needle track entrance and a needle track distal region; and atraumatically delivering the bioactive agent into the needle track distal region via the lumen while retracting the elongated member from the tissue mass so that the native tissue fills in and closes the needle track entrance after the tissue-piercing distal end is removed from the needle track and without creating potential for leakage of the bioactive agent via the needle track entrance.