Method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation of remote cells and tissue

A method for treating at least one cell, in vivo, comprising the steps of:

• a) directing a catheter into a blood vessel of an organism, said catheter including a first electrode, and an opening through which a chemical can be injected into the organism proximate to the cell to be treated;
• b) placing a second electrode in a position where the cell and the opening of the catheter are between the first and second electrodes;
• c) injecting the chemical into the organism through the catheter in an amount sufficient to treat the cell during electroporation of the cell;
• and
• d) applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes in an amount sufficient to cause electroporation of at least a portion of the cell, whereby the chemical agent migrates across the cell membrane, thereby treating the cell.

A method for treating at least one cell, in vivo, comprising the steps of:

• a) directing an endoscope into a blood vessel of an organism, said endoscope including a first electrode, and an opening through which a chemical can be injected into the organism proximate to the cell to be treated;
• b) placing a second electrode in a position where the cell and the opening of the endoscope are between the first and second electrodes;
• c) injecting the chemical into the organism through the endoscope in an amount sufficient to treat the cell during electroporation of the cell;
• and
• d) applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes in an amount sufficient to cause electroporation of at least a portion of the cell, whereby the chemical agent migrates across the cell membrane, thereby treating the cell.

An apparatus for treating at least one cell, comprising:

• a) a penetrator having a penetrating end, for penetration of an organism, and an opening through which a chemical agent can be injected into the organism proximate to the cell to be treated;
• b) a first electrode at the penetrating end;
• c) a second electrode located on the penetrator at a spaced interval from the first electrode wherein the opening is between the first and second electrodes;
• and
• d) means connected to the first and second electrodes for applying a voltage between said electrodes in an amount sufficient to electroporate the cell, whereby said chemical agent in the organism migrates across the cell membrane and into the electroporated cell, thereby treating the cell.

An apparatus for treating at least one cell of an organism with a chemical agent, comprising:

• a) a penetrator for penetration of a organism having a penetrating end;
• b) a first electrode disposed at the penetrating end of the penetrator whereby the first electrode is disposed adjacent to the cell when the penetrator penetrates the organism;
• c) a second electrode for applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes to cause electroporation of the cell;
• d) a porous member for introducing the chemical agent into the organism, whereby disposing the porous member in the organism causes the chemical agent to migrate from the porous member to the cell for treatment of the cell during electroporation;
• and
• e) means connected to the first and second electrodes for applying a voltage between said electrodes in an amount sufficient to electroporate the cell, whereby the chemical agent in the organism migrates across the cell membrane and into the electroporated cell, thereby treating the cell.