Method and apparatus for inducing the permeation of medication into internal tissue

Claim 1

A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of: generating a polar electric field in which one pole of the field is disposed internally of the targeted portion of the tissue and the return pole is external of the targeted portion of the tissue; supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the targeted portion of the tissue; said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the targeted portion of the internal tissue toward the other pole of the field; and pulsing the electric field in phase with the patient's cardiac rhythm.

Claim 2

A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of: generating a polar electric field in which one pole of the field is disposed internally of the targeted portion of the tissue and the return pole is external of the targeted portion of the tissue; supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the targeted portion of the tissue; said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the targeted portion of the internal tissue toward the other pole of the field; and pulsing the electric field in phase with the patient's cardiac rhythm.

Claim 4

A method as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein said blood vessel has a natural lumen extending therethrough and where the internal electrode is inserted percutaneously into the lumen.

Claim 6

A method as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein the step of supplying said liquid comprises: providing a catheter having a flexible shaft with proximal and distal ends, means extending along the shaft for delivering liquid from the proximal end to the distal region of the shaft, an internal electrode carried by the catheter at the shaft distal end, and conductor means extending through the catheter shaft and electrically coupled to the internal electrode and percutaneously inserting the catheter into the blood vessel of a patient.

Claim 7

A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of: providing an external electrode and locating the external electrode outside of the patient's body; providing an internally placeable electrode and inserting the internally placeable electrode into an artery of the patient in the region of a stenosis, whereby the electric field will cause the liquid to permeate the stenosis as it advances from the internal electrode toward the external electrode; supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the stenosis, wherein the liquid includes a compound adapted to treat the region of the stenosis; said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the stenosis toward the other pole of the field.

Claim 8

A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of: providing an external electrode and locating the external electrode outside of the patient's body; providing an internally placeable electrode and inserting the internally placeable electrode into an artery of the patient in the region of a stenosis, whereby the electric field will cause the liquid to permeate the stenosis as it advances from the internal electrode toward the external electrode; supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the stenosis, wherein the liquid includes a compound adapted to treat the region of the stenosis; said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the stenosis toward the other pole of the field.

Claim 9

A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of: providing an external electrode and locating the external electrode outside of the patient's body; providing an internally placeable electrode and inserting the internally placeable electrode into an artery of the patient in the region of a stenosis treated by an intravascular procedure whereby the electric field will cause the liquid to permeate the stenosis as it advances from the internal electrode toward the external electrode; supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the stenosis, wherein the liquid medication adapted to retard restenosis; said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the stenosis toward the other pole of the field.

Claim 10

A method for selectively inducing the permeation of liquid to a targeted portion of internal tissue in the body of a patient comprising the steps of: providing an external electrode and locating the external electrode outside of the patient's body; providing an internally placeable electrode and inserting the internally placeable electrode into an artery of the patient in the region of a stenosis treated by an intravascular procedure whereby the electric field will cause the liquid to permeate the stenosis as it advances from the internal electrode toward the external electrode; supplying liquid having polar molecules to a location in the body adjacent the stenosis, wherein the liquid medication adapted to retard restenosis; said electric field being polarized with respect to the polarization of the polar molecules such that the electric field will induce flow of the polar molecules through the stenosis toward the other pole of the field.