US6067988A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for creation of drug delivery and/or stimulation pockets in myocardium
Assignee: Eclipse Surgical Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-26
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2016-12-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for creating drug-filled pockets within muscle tissue, such as myocardium of the heart for increasing angiogenesis. More particularly, the apparatus has an excising assembly with a dilator tip for penetrating and advancing through the surface and body of a muscle or organ, such as the heart. Preferably, the dilator tip has a low level laser optical fiber emission to ease the passage of the excising assembly and provide thermal damage which also stimulates angiogenesis. More preferably, the dilator tip also disperses a pharmacologically active substance as the apparatus is passed through the tissue and/or creates pockets. The excising assembly is connected to a hand-held control device from which the operator pushes a switch to activate a punching mechanism within the excising assembly. The punching mechanism cuts a discrete piece of muscle tissue and traps it within the excising assembly leaving a pocket in the remaining muscle tissue. The excising assembly may also optionally release a bolus of the pharmacologically active substance into the pocket so created. Most preferably, there is a timing mechanism to measure the contraction of the heart, and the timing mechanism is synchronized with the operator's switch on the hand-held device to ensure that the punching occurs at maximum contraction of systole. A measurement guide determines how much excised tissue is trapped in the reservoir of the excising assembly. At a threshold level of filling, the surgeon will remove the excising assembly from the hand-held control device and open the punching mechanism for release of tissue. More preferably, the threshold level of filling will automatically turn off the switch to the punching mechanism to indicate to the surgeon the need to empty the excising assembly of tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Mueller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22082; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising apparatus having proximal and distal ends and a tissue entrapping mechanism, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a controller operably connected to the tissue entrapping mechanism; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising apparatus at a surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) advancing the distal end of the excising apparatus within the target tissue by causing the dilator tip to tunnel into the target tissue; d) operating the controller to open the tissue entrapping mechanism enabling a portion of the target tissue to bulge into the open tissue entrapping mechanism, the controller further causing the tissue entrapping mechanism to close and cut the bulged portion from the target tissue, the cut tissue trapped within the excising apparatus; and e) withdrawing the excising device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising apparatus having proximal and distal ends and a tissue entrapping mechanism, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a controller operably connected to the tissue entrapping mechanism; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising apparatus at a surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) advancing the distal end of the excising apparatus within the target tissue by causing the dilator tip to tunnel into the target tissue; d) operating the controller to open the tissue entrapping mechanism enabling a portion of the target tissue to bulge into the open tissue entrapping mechanism, the controller further causing the tissue entrapping mechanism to close and cut the bulged portion from the target tissue, the cut tissue trapped within the excising apparatus; and e) withdrawing the excising device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein act b) comprises placing the distal end of the excising tool at an epicardial surface of a heart; act c) comprises advancing to a designated distance within myocardium; and act d) comprises cutting at least one portion from the myocardium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein act d) is performed at least during act e) while withdrawing the excising tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein act d) is performed at least during act c) while advancing within the myocardium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein in act d) the cutting causes creating of a pocket in the myocardium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the act of setting a designated advancement distance prior to act c) of advancing the distal end of the excising tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein act d) further comprises synchronizing the opening and closing to occur within a systolic period of a heart cycle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 comprising the act of delivering a drug to the myocardium at least during step d).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising prior to act c) the act of delivering energy from an energy delivery device to ease advancement of the excising apparatus.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising tool having proximal and distal ends and a tissue gap mechanism, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a hand-held controller; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising tool at a surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) advancing the distal end of the excising tool within the target tissue by exerting force on the dilator tip to tunnel into the target tissue; d) operating the controller to open the tissue gap mechanism enabling a portion of the target tissue to enter into the tissue gap mechanism, the controller further causing the tissue gap mechanism to close and cut the portion from the target tissue, the cut tissue trapped within the excising tool, the cutting causing an injury in the target tissue which facilitates intracapillary connections; and e) withdrawing the excising tool.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising tool having proximal and distal ends and a tissue gap mechanism, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a hand-held controller; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising tool at a surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) advancing the distal end of the excising tool within the target tissue by exerting force on the dilator tip to tunnel into the target tissue; d) operating the controller to open the tissue gap mechanism enabling a portion of the target tissue to enter into the tissue gap mechanism, the controller further causing the tissue gap mechanism to close and cut the portion from the target tissue, the cut tissue trapped within the excising tool, the cutting causing an injury in the target tissue which facilitates intracapillary connections; and e) withdrawing the excising tool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein act d) is performed at least during act e) while withdrawing the excising tool.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 wherein act d) is performed at least during act c) while advancing within the target tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein in act d) the cutting causes creation of a pocket in the target tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the act of setting a designated advancement distance prior to act c) of advancing of the distal end of the excising tool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 wherein act d) further comprises synchronizing the opening and closing to occur within a systolic period of a heart cycle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 comprising the act of delivering to the target tissue a drug at least during step d).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10 wherein act b) comprises placing the distal end of the excising tool at an epicardial surface of a heart; act c) comprises advancing to a designated distance within myocardium; and act d) comprises cutting a portion from the myocardium.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising device having proximal and distal ends, a tissue gap mechanism, and a energy delivery device extending into the distal end, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a controller operably connected to the tissue gap mechanism; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising device at the surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) delivering energy through the energy delivery device to the target tissue to ease advancement of the excising device through the target tissue; d) advancing the distal end of the excising device within the target tissue; e) operating the controller to open the tissue gap mechanism enabling tissue to enter therein, the controller further causing the tissue gap mechanism to close and to cut the entered tissue from the target tissue; and f) withdrawing the excising device and the cut tissue thereby causing an injury which facilitates intracapillary connections.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising device having proximal and distal ends, a tissue gap mechanism, and a energy delivery device extending into the distal end, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a controller operably connected to the tissue gap mechanism; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising device at the surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) delivering energy through the energy delivery device to the target tissue to ease advancement of the excising device through the target tissue; d) advancing the distal end of the excising device within the target tissue; e) operating the controller to open the tissue gap mechanism enabling tissue to enter therein, the controller further causing the tissue gap mechanism to close and to cut the entered tissue from the target tissue; and f) withdrawing the excising device and the cut tissue thereby causing an injury which facilitates intracapillary connections.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 wherein act c) comprises delivering laser energy to pierce through epicardium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 18 wherein act e) is performed at least during act f) while withdrawing the excising tool.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 wherein act e) is performed at least during act d) while advancing within the target tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 18 wherein in act e) the cutting causes creation of a pocket in the target tissue.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising the act of setting a designated advancement distance prior to act c) of advancing of the distal end of the excising tool.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 wherein act e) further comprises synchronizing the opening and closing to occur within a systolic period of a heart cycle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 18 wherein act b) comprises placing the distal end of the excising tool at an epicardial surface of a heart; act c) comprises delivering laser energy to ease advancement of the excising device; act d) comprises advancing the excising device within myocardium; and act e) comprises cutting a portion from the myocardium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 comprising the act of delivering to the target tissue a drug at least during step e).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 26 wherein delivering the drug occurs continuously during acts d) and e).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26 wherein delivering the drug occurs continuously during act e).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 26 wherein delivering the drug occurs following act e).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 wherein delivering the drug further comprises delivering at least one bolus of drug during acts d) and e).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 wherein delivering the drug further comprises delivering at least one bolus of drug during act e).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 wherein delivering the drug further comprises delivering at least one bolus of drug following act e).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26 wherein delivering the drug further comprises selecting a flow rate for delivering the drug.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising device having proximal and distal ends, a conduit within at least the distal end, and a tissue gap mechanism, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a drug source connected to the conduit and a controller operably connected to the tissue gap mechanism; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising device at a surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) advancing the distal end of the excising device within the target tissue by tunneling with the dilator tip; d) operating the controller to open the tissue gap mechanism enabling a portion of the target tissue to enter into the tissue gap mechanism, the controller further causing the tissue gap mechanism to close and cut the portion from the target tissue, the cut portion trapped within the excising device; e) delivering a drug from the drug source through the conduit to facilitate angiogenesis; and f) withdrawing the excising device and the cut portion.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for revascularizing tissue by facilitating intracapillary connections therein comprising the acts of: a) providing a mechanical excising device having proximal and distal ends, a conduit within at least the distal end, and a tissue gap mechanism, the distal end having a tapered dilator tip, the proximal end having a drug source connected to the conduit and a controller operably connected to the tissue gap mechanism; b) placing by surgical incision the distal end of the excising device at a surface of target tissue to be revascularized; c) advancing the distal end of the excising device within the target tissue by tunneling with the dilator tip; d) operating the controller to open the tissue gap mechanism enabling a portion of the target tissue to enter into the tissue gap mechanism, the controller further causing the tissue gap mechanism to close and cut the portion from the target tissue, the cut portion trapped within the excising device; e) delivering a drug from the drug source through the conduit to facilitate angiogenesis; and f) withdrawing the excising device and the cut portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 wherein act e) occurs continuously during acts c) and d).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 34 wherein act e) occurs continuously during act d).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 34 wherein act e) occurs following act d).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34 wherein act e) further comprises delivering at least one bolus of drug during acts c) and d).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 34 wherein act e) further comprises delivering at least one bolus of drug during act d).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 34 wherein act e) further comprises delivering at least one bolus of drug after act d).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34 wherein act e) further comprises selecting a flow rate for delivering the drug.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising the act of using the controller to activate performance of act e).
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the cutting in act d) creates a pocket within myocardium and the drug is delivered into the pocket in act e).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 43 wherein act e) comprises depositing a bolus of VEGF into the pocket.
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) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |