A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a target tissue, the method comprising:
- identifying a target tissue via an imaging modality;
- providing a needle having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen;
- inserting the needle into a patient so that its distal end is proximate the target tissue;
- inserting a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end through the lumen of the needle, said guidewire having an anchor member at said distal end;
- advancing the guidewire in the lumen so that its distal end is positioned proximate the target tissue;
- anchoring said distal end of said guidewire proximate to or in said target tissue using said anchor member;
- removing the needle from the patient;
- providing a cannula that is removably insertable over said guidewire, said cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and at least first and second lumens therethrough extending between said proximal and distal ends, the cannula having a wall and at least one surface, wherein the cannula is further comprised of two electrodes disposed within the wall of the cannula or on a surface of the cannula at the distal end, wherein the electrodes are disposed on opposed ends of a porous section of the cannula having pores through the cannula wall and wherein said electrodes are coupled to an energy source comprising an electroporator;
- removably inserting the proximal end of the guidewire into the first lumens of the cannula and advancing the cannula over the guidewire until the distal end of the cannula is proximate the target tissue;
- coupling the second lumen to a source of therapeutic agent at the proximal end of the cannula;
- and
- while the guidewire remains in place within the first lumen of the cannula, delivering the therapeutic agent to the target tissue through the second lumen and porous section of the cannula, wherein the target tissue comprises cells, and the therapeutic agent comprises a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of monoclonal antibodies, immunoconjugates, cytokines, oncolytic viruses, vaccines, genetic material, antimicrobial agents, antibiotics, steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), growth factor (GF), ethanol and radiosensitizers;
- delivering reversible electroporation direct current (DC) electric pulses from the electroporator to cause the therapeutic agent to be delivered into the cells or target tissue;
- and
- uncoupling the second lumen from the source of therapeutic agent and delivering a second treatment to the target tissue through the second lumen.