Apparatus for electrically mediated delivery of therapeutic agents

摘要

Apparatus for the delivery of an electrical field which facilitates the intracellular delivery of a therapeutic agent to a predetermined site within the tissue of a patient. The apparatus will comprise a plurality of penetrating electrodes arranged in a predetermined spatial relationship, each electrode with a cross sectional area contributing to the total cross sectional area of all electrodes, and structural means incorporating an inanimate source of energy operatively connected to the plurality of electrodes for deploying the electrodes, wherein the source of energy is sufficient to impart a force of at least 1000 pounds per square inch (0.7 kilogram per square millimeter) of total cross sectional area of all electrodes at the initiation of the deployment of the electrodes. The apparatus will also comprise means for generating an electrical field which facilitates the intracellular delivery of a therapeutic agent, which means is operatively connected to said electrodes at least in their deployed state.

主权项

1. An apparatus for the delivery of an electrical field which facilitates the intracellular delivery of a therapeutic agent to a predetermined site within the tissue of a patient comprising:
a plurality of penetrating electrodes arranged in a predetermined spatial relationship, each electrode with a cross sectional area contributing to the total cross sectional area of all electrodes; an applicator housing an inanimate source of energy operatively connected to said plurality of electrodes for deploying said electrodes from the apparatus; an electrical field generator which facilitates the intracellular delivery of a therapeutic agent, which electric field generator is operatively connected to said electrodes at least in their deployed state; and at least one cantilevered extension of a cartridge that engages an injection drive mechanism of said applicator to passively prime said inanimate source of energy when said cartridge is inserted into said applicator.