US5273525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Injection and electroporation apparatus for drug and gene delivery
Assignee: Genetronics Inc
•
Filing: 1992-08-13
•
Granted: 1993-12-28
•
Expires: 2012-08-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for implanting macromolecules such as genes, DNA or pharmaceuticals into a preselected tissue region such as a muscle or an organ of a patient. A modified syringe is provided for injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying the preselected macromolecules. A signal generator is connected to the syringe for generating a predetermined electric signal. The syringe includes a pair of electrodes which are connected to the signal generator for applying an electric field in the tissue region. The field has a predetermined strength and duration in order to make the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells. This enhances the uptake of macromolecules and thus enhances the therapeutic effect achieved. Alternate embodiments having twin needles and a blade may be utilized.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter A. Hofmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/327
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for implanting macromolecules into selected tissues of a patient, comprising: means for injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into a preselected tissue region of a patient; means for generating a predetermined electric signal; and implantable means including a pair of spaced tissue penetrating electrodes for insertion into the tissue region connected to the signal generating means for applying an electric field of a predetermined strength and duration in the tissue region between the electrodes in order to make the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for implanting macromolecules into selected tissues of a patient, comprising: means for injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into a preselected tissue region of a patient; means for generating a predetermined electric signal; and implantable means including a pair of spaced tissue penetrating electrodes for insertion into the tissue region connected to the signal generating means for applying an electric field of a predetermined strength and duration in the tissue region between the electrodes in order to make the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 the means for injecting the quantity of fluid carrying the macromolecules and the implantable means comprise a syringe.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for implanting macromolecules into selected tissues of a patient, comprising: means including a syringe for injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into a preselected tissue region of a patient; means for generating a predetermined electric signal; and implantable means including a pair of electrodes connected to the signal generating means for applying an electric field of a predetermined strength and duration in the tissue region in order to make the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells wherein the syringe has a pair of parallel needles that form the electrodes.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for implanting macromolecules into selected tissues of a patient, comprising: means including a syringe for injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into a preselected tissue region of a patient; means for generating a predetermined electric signal; and implantable means including a pair of electrodes connected to the signal generating means for applying an electric field of a predetermined strength and duration in the tissue region in order to make the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells wherein the syringe has a pair of parallel needles that form the electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the electric signal generating means is capable of generating a wave form selected form the group consisting of an exponentially decaying pulse, a square pulse, a uni-polar oscillating pulse train and a bipolar oscillating pulse train.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the electric signal generating means is capable of generating a field that has a strength of between approximately 0.2 kV/cm and 20.0 kV/cm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the electric signal generating means is capable of generating each pulse to have a duration of between approximately ten microseconds and one-hundred milliseconds.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for implanting macromolecules into selected tissues of a patient, comprising: means including a syringe for injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into a preselected tissue region of a patient; means for generating a predetermined electric signal; and implantable means including a pair of electrodes connected to the signal generating means for applying an electric field of a predetermined strength and duration in the tissue region in order to make the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells wherein the syringe has a blade having a dielectric planar support with at least one channel for conveying the fluid and the electrodes are planar and are carried on opposite sides of the support.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for implanting macromolecules into selected tissues of a patient, comprising: means including a syringe for injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into a preselected tissue region of a patient; means for generating a predetermined electric signal; and implantable means including a pair of electrodes connected to the signal generating means for applying an electric field of a predetermined strength and duration in the tissue region in order to make the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells wherein the syringe has a blade having a dielectric planar support with at least one channel for conveying the fluid and the electrodes are planar and are carried on opposite sides of the support.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the planar support has a plurality of orifices along opposite side edges thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the electric signal generating means is capable of generating a wave form selected from the group consisting of an exponentially decaying pulse, a square pulse, a uni-polar oscillating pulse train and a bipolar oscillating pulse train.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the electric signal generating means is capable of generating a field that has a strength of between approximately 0.2 kV/cm and 20.0 kV/cm.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of implanting macromolecules into living cells of a patient, comprising the steps of: inserting a pair of electrodes in spaced relation into tissue on opposite sides of a preselected tissue region of a patient; injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into the tissue region; and applying a predetermined electric signal of a predetermined amplitude and duration to the electrodes to generate an electric field of sufficient strength and duration adjacent the electrodes to cause the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region to become transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of implanting macromolecules into living cells of a patient, comprising the steps of: inserting a pair of electrodes in spaced relation into tissue on opposite sides of a preselected tissue region of a patient; injecting a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected macromolecules into the tissue region; and applying a predetermined electric signal of a predetermined amplitude and duration to the electrodes to generate an electric field of sufficient strength and duration adjacent the electrodes to cause the walls of a plurality of cells in the tissue region to become transiently permeable to permit the macromolecules to enter said preselected cells without damaging said cells.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the macromolecules are selected from the group consisting of genes, DNA and pharmaceutical compounds.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the electric signal has a wave form selected from the group consisting of an exponentially decaying pulse, a square pulse, a uni-polar oscillating pulse train and a bipolar oscillating pulse train.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the electric field has a strength of between approximately 0.2 kV/cm and 20.0 kV/cm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein each pulse has a duration of between approximately ten microseconds and one-hundred milliseconds.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein there are between approximately one pulse and one-hundred consecutive pulses.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the electric signal has a wave form selected from the group consisting of an exponentially decaying pulse, a square pulse, a uni-polar oscillating pulse train and a bipolar oscillating pulse train.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the electric field has a strength of between approximately 0.2 kV/cm and 20.0 kV/cm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein each pulse has a duration of between approximately ten microseconds and one hundred milliseconds.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein there are between approximately one pulse and one hundred consecutive pulses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-27 | 1997-06-28 | 1997-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-27 | 2001-06-28 | 2001-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-27 | 2005-06-28 | 2005-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |