Abstract: Delivery devices, systems, and methods are configured to enhance retention of a therapeutic agent delivered at a treatment site, for example, via impeding agent backflow. A device may include sheath having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end. The sheath may include an outer diameter and an inner channel between the first end and the second end, and at least one penetrating member configured to form a channel at the treatment site. The device may include an elongate member having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end, the elongate member being configured to move relative to the sheath. The elongate member may be configured to control the movement of the penetrating member with respect to the sheath.

Abstract: Delivery devices, systems, and methods are configured to enhance retention of a therapeutic agent delivered at a treatment site, for example, via impeding agent backflow. A device may include sheath having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end. The sheath may include an outer diameter and an inner channel between the first end and the second end, and at least one penetrating member configured to form a channel at the treatment site. The device may include an elongate member having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end, the elongate member being configured to move relative to the sheath. The elongate member may be configured to control the movement of the penetrating member with respect to the sheath.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering therapeutic agents use a movable sheath member to deliver a therapeutic agent with little or no shear stress. The delivery device may include an outer body being configured to move away from a distal end of the delivery device. The movable sheath member may have a first section and a second section opposing the first section, the second section being configured to hold the therapeutic agent. The movable sheath may be configured to deliver the therapeutic agent by increasing the first section by moving the outer body away from the distal end.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering therapeutic agents use an inverted member to deliver a therapeutic agent with little or no shear stress. The inverted member may have a movable continuous surface, the movable continuous surface having a first section and a second section opposing the first section, the second section surrounding an inner cavity that is configured to hold the therapeutic agent, the inverting member being configured to deliver the therapeutic agent by inverting at least a portion of the second section.

Abstract: A medical practitioner can specify certain parameters for a procedure that involves delivering a therapeutic agent, while leaving other parameters open. The therapeutic agent can be sensitive to biomechanical forces (or other influences) associated with delivery. The procedure can involve regenerative medicine, for example delivering progenitor or stem cells to a diseased heart using a catheter, whereby unbridled transport in the catheter may compromise efficacy. The open parameters can influence efficacy of the agent and thus therapeutic outcome. A computer-based system can apply stored information, such as from databases, to narrow the possible values of the open parameters. From the narrowed possibilities, an optimization routine can determine suitable or optimized values for the open parameters. The determined values can manage biomechanical forces incurred by the therapeutic agent, thereby promoting efficacy and healing. The optimized parameters can guide the practitioner in the procedure.

Abstract: A medical practitioner can specify certain parameters for a procedure that involves delivering a therapeutic agent, while leaving other parameters open. The therapeutic agent can be sensitive to biomechanical forces (or other influences) associated with delivery. The procedure can involve regenerative medicine, for example delivering progenitor or stem cells to a diseased heart using a catheter, whereby unbridled transport in the catheter may compromise efficacy. The open parameters can influence efficacy of the agent and thus therapeutic outcome. A computer-based system can apply stored information, such as from databases, to narrow the possible values of the open parameters. From the narrowed possibilities, an optimization routine can determine suitable or optimized values for the open parameters. The determined values can manage biomechanical forces incurred by the therapeutic agent, thereby promoting efficacy and healing. The optimized parameters can guide the practitioner in the procedure.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a human or animal subject can include a substantially flexible and biocompatible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end. An eductor can be located at the distal end of the catheter body, and a first lumen within the catheter body for housing the therapeutic agent can be in fluid communication with the eductor. A second lumen, also in fluid communication with the first lumen, can extend from the proximal end of the catheter body towards the eductor and can have an output port at the distal end of the catheter body. The eductor can be operable to induce the therapeutic agent to flow from the first lumen out of the output port in response to fluid flowing through the second lumen.

Abstract: A physician, nurse, or other healthcare practitioner can deliver a therapeutic agent to a patient in a manner that maintains effectiveness of the therapeutic agent, via monitoring and controlling shear, stress, or other potentially detrimental effect. A gauge, meter, or other monitoring device can provide an indication of shear (or other effect) that the therapeutic agent is experiencing during delivery. The monitoring device can provide information relevant to delivering the therapeutic agent in a manner that maintains effectiveness, thereby guiding the practitioner during delivery. For example, the monitoring device can display an estimate of shear based on sensing flow rate or pressure. The therapeutic agent can comprise one or more therapeutic cells, such as progenitor cells or stem cells, or some other healing substance delivered via a cardiac catheter to the patient's cardiovascular tissue, for example.