Abstract: A system for treating a patient's heart which comprises a means to form channels in the heart wall and a means to deliver a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channels. Additionally, the system may comprise a means to retain the agent within the channels for a useful period of time. The system may be configured to be introduced percutaneously or intraoperatively. The system generally comprises an elongated, flexible lasing transmission means having a laser radiation emitting means and an delivery lumen opening at the distal end. Practice of the invention comprises forming channels in the heart wall and delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channel. Gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. Additionally, the invention may comprise retaining the agent within the channels, for example, by incorporating the agent in a viscous carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for treating cardiovascular disease utilizes electromagnetic fields (EMF) applied by non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures. The EMF is applied to existing vascular structure to modulate blood flow and blood vessel growth in the patient. In one embodiment, a structure of electromagnetic coils is placed about a desired treatment zone to apply an EMF to the zone on the order of 104−10 T. For cardiac angiogenesis, coils can be positioned on the anterior chest wall and on the back at the level of the heart. Various coil configurations are contemplated to yield appropriate field intensities at the treatment zone. In another embodiment, coils can be implanted within the patient and placed within or overlying the treatment zone. An EMF dosage plan can be developed for the patient and specific treatment zone incorporating several aspects, such as frequency components, the use of a carrier frequency, pulse shape, duty cycle, and total time exposure to the EMF.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient's heart which comprises a means to form channels in the heart wall and a means to deliver a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channels. Additionally, the system may comprise a means to retain the agent within the channels for a useful period of time. The system may be configured to be introduced percutaneously or intraoperatively. The system generally comprises an elongated, flexible lasing transmission means having a laser radiation emitting means and an delivery lumen opening at the distal end. Practice of the invention comprises forming channels in the heart wall and delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channel. Gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. Additionally, the invention may comprise retaining the agent within the channels, for example, by incorporating the agent in a viscous carrier.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient's heart which comprises a means to form channels in the heart wall and a means to deliver a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channels. Additionally, the system may comprise a way to retain the agent within the channels for a useful period of time. The system may be configured to be introduced percutaneously or intraoperatively. The system generally comprises an elongated, flexible lasing transmission catheter that emits laser radiation and has delivery lumen opening at the distal end. Practice of the invention comprises forming channels in the heart wall and delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channel. Gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. Additionally, the invention may comprise retaining the agent within the channels, for example, by incorporating the agent in a viscous carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane. The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient's heart which comprising delivering a gene therapy agent into the pericardial sac around the patient's heart. The agent is introduced surgically or by transvascular means such as a catheter which has been introduced percutaneously or otherwise. Introducing the gene therapy agent into the pericardial sac contains the agent, allowing high concentration of the agent adjacent large regions of the epicardium and pericardium without spillage or systemic distribution to other organs or tissues. The gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the epicardial cells in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. In a preferred embodiment, a catheter is percutaneously introduced, such as through the femoral artery, and guided upstream into the left ventricle. The distal end of the catheter advanced until it penetrates through the epicardium so that agent can be introduced into the pericardial space.

Abstract: The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane. The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for introducing an expression vehicle (e.g., plasmids, retroviral vectors, adenoviral vectors) into cells, which comprises contacting the cells with the expression vehicle and a polyol. The polyol may be a polyoxalkylene block copolymer, such as a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. The use of the polyol provides for greater efficiency of transduction of the expression vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane. The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug delivery catheter assembly, including an expandable, porous outer membrane that is insertable into a blood vessel and positioned adjacent a stenotic atherosclerotic lesion on the interior wall of the blood vessel. The membrane is expanded into contact with the lesion, either mechanically or hydraulically. After the membrane is expanded, a drug-containing liquid is caused to flow into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane into contact with the lesion.

Abstract: A method and composition for delivering a drug to an affected intramural site for sustained release in conjunction with or following balloon catheter procedures, such as angioplasty. The drug, carried by microparticles of a physiologically-compatible, biodegradable polymer is injected under directed pressure into the wall of a body vessel in the region of the affected site.

Abstract: Restenosis following vascular recanalization is prevented by administering a photoactivatable psoralen and, in conjunction with recanalization, delivering ultraviolet radiation to the region of said recanalization.