Patent ID: 6511471
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A system for delivering a drug to a target site within a patient's body comprising a drug delivery catheter that docks onto a steerable guide catheter, wherein:the steerable guide catheter comprises: a housing having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a width; a guide tube protruding out of the distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the housing; a first extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the first extension tube is connected to the guide tube, the first extension having a diameter; a second extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the second extension tube is connected to the first extension tube, the second tube having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first extension tube; a shoulder created by the joining of the first extension tube with the second extension tube; and a steering knob, located outside the housing, for steering the guide tube; and the delivery catheter comprises: a handle having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end; a delivery tube protruding out of the distal end of the handle and aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle; a first luer fitting attached to the proximal end of the handle; a proximal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube; a distal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube and the proximal docking segment; a first lumen operatively connected to the luer fitting, the lumen running along the longitudinal axis of the handle through the delivery tube; a helical tip, attached to the delivery tube, for injecting a drug into the target site; wherein when the delivery catheter is adapted to be inserted into the guide catheter, the delivery tube is adapted to be inserted within the guide tube, the distal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the first extension tube, the proximal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the second extension tube, and the shoulder limits the distance the delivery catheter inserts into the guide catheter.