Abstract: A needle injection catheter comprises a catheter body having an axially disposed needle near its distal end. The needle passes through a deflection path formed in a distal nose of the catheter. A deflection path typically comprises a 90° turn so that the axially disposed needle can be deflected laterally for advancement into surrounding tissue. Usually, a hydraulic or other driver will be provided in the distal end of the catheter in order to advance the needle and cause deflection.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for delivering drugs and other substances to extraluminal tissue surrounding a body lumen are described. Catheters are used to inject the drug or other substance intraluminally into tissue surrounding a stent or other luminal scaffold. The drug or other substance is injected in an amount sufficient to cause diffusion back through the tissue to the stent. An absorptive structure, reservoir, or the like, on the stent then absorbs excess drug as it passes from the luminal tissue. In this way, the stent is first loaded with drug. After time, as the stent becomes fully loaded and the tissue becomes depleted, drug will be begin to flow back from the stent into the surrounding luminal tissue.

Abstract: Tubular catheters having two or more axially adjacent segments are reinforced by encapsulation in a polymeric layer which provides enhanced tensile strength. Exemplary polymers include parylene, silicone, PTFE, PVDF and the like. The layers are preferably vapor coated to thicknesses of 100 &mgr;m or below. Specific rapid exchange and needle injection embodiments are illustrated.

Abstract: Methods and kits for delivering pharmaceutical agents to the adventitia surrounding a blood vessel utilize a catheter having a microneedle. The microneedle is positioned in the perivascular space and delivers an amount of pharmaceutical agent sufficient to circumferentially permeate around the blood vessel and, in many cases, extend longitudinally along the blood vessel and in some cases to the adventitia surrounding other blood vessels.

Abstract: Electroporation of cells in target tissues is performed using microneedles having integral electrode structures. In a first embodiment, a pair of electrode structures are disposed on opposite sides of a substance delivery opening on a needle or other tissue-penetrating shaft. In a second embodiment, a first electrode structure is disposed on the needle and a second electrode structure is disposed on an attached base. The electrode structures are spaced closely together and relatively low voltages are applied to achieve electroporation-enhanced substance delivery.