Infusion devices and method

A method for preparing a drug delivery catheter for use, the drug delivery catheter including an elongate tube having a lumen and a distal portion, said distal portion having an injection device in fluid communication with said lumen, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a drug neutralizing vial for receiving said drug delivery catheter distal portion injection device, said vial including an inner cavity sealed at least in part by a gasket, said vial cavity containing a drug neutralizing material therein, said vial having a neck for receiving said drug delivery catheter distal portion;
• inserting said drug delivery injection device through said gasket;
• flushing at least some of said drug through said drug delivery injection device into said vial, such that said drug is at least partially neutralized in said cavity;
• and
• withdrawing said drug delivery injection device from said gasket.

A drug delivery catheter comprising:

• an elongate tube having a distal portion, a distal end, a tube wall, and a lumen therethrough;
• and
• a needle having a lumen therethrough, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, said needle distal portion including a sharp distal end, said proximal portion being wider than said distal portion and having at least one protrusion for engaging said tube wall,
• wherein said needle proximal portion engages said tube distal portion, wherein said needle distal portion extends distally beyond said tube distal end, such that said at least one needle protrusion engages said tube wall to resist pulling said needle distally away from said tube,
• wherein said tube has an inner wall surface, wherein said needle protrusion protrudes outward and engages said tube inner wall surface.

A drug delivery catheter comprising:

• an elongate tube having a distal portion, a distal end, a tube wall, and a lumen therethrough;
• and
• a needle having a lumen therethrough, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, said needle distal portion including a sharp distal end, said proximal portion being wider than said distal portion and having at least one protrusion for engaging said tube wall,
• wherein said needle proximal portion engages said tube distal portion, wherein said needle distal portion extends distally beyond said tube distal end, such that said at least one needle protrusion engages said tube wall to resist pulling said needle distally away from said tube,
• wherein said needle includes a flange abutting said tube distal end for limiting proximal travel of said needle relative to said tube.

A drug delivery catheter comprising:

• an elongate tube having a distal portion, a distal end, a tube wall, and a lumen therethrough;
• and
• a needle having a lumen therethrough, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, said needle distal portion including a sharp distal end, said proximal portion being wider than said distal portion and having at least one protrusion for engaging said tube wall,
• wherein said needle proximal portion engages said tube distal portion, wherein said needle distal portion extends distally beyond said tube distal end, such that said at least one needle protrusion engages said tube wall to resist pulling said needle distally away from said tube,
• wherein said tube wall distal region includes a hole therethrough for receiving a bonding material, wherein said needle is further secured to said tube by said bonding material being injected through said hole.

A drug delivery catheter comprising:

• an elongate tube having a distal portion, a distal end, a tube wall, and a lumen therethrough;
• and
• a needle having a lumen therethrough, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, said needle distal portion including a sharp distal end, said proximal portion being wider than said distal portion and having at least one protrusion for engaging said tube wall,
• wherein said needle proximal portion engages said tube distal portion, wherein said needle distal portion extends distally beyond said tube distal end, such that said at least one needle protrusion engages said tube wall to resist pulling said needle distally away from said tube,
• wherein said at least one protrusion includes at least one helical thread for engaging said tube wall.

A drug delivery catheter comprising:

• an elongate tube having a distal portion, a distal end, a tube wall, and a lumen therethrough;
• and
• a needle having a lumen therethrough, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, said needle distal portion including a sharp distal end, said proximal portion being wider than said distal portion and having at least one protrusion for engaging said tube wall,
• wherein said needle proximal portion engages said tube distal portion, wherein said needle distal portion extends distally beyond said tube distal end, such that said at least one needle protrusion engages said tube wall to resist pulling said needle distally away from said tube,
• wherein said at least one protrusion includes a plurality of threads for engaging said tube wall.

A drug delivery catheter comprising:

• an elongate tube having a distal portion, a distal end, a tube wall, and a lumen therethrough;
• and
• a needle having a lumen therethrough, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, said needle distal portion including a sharp distal end, said proximal portion being wider than said distal portion and having at least one protrusion for engaging said tube wall,
• wherein said needle proximal portion engages said tube distal portion, wherein said needle distal portion extends distally beyond said tube distal end, such that said at least one needle protrusion engages said tube wall to resist pulling said needle distally away from said tube,
• wherein said needle is disposed within said tube lumen, said needle includes a lumen therethrough, and said lumen has a proximal throat region.

A method for performing myocardial revascularization, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a myocardial revascularization catheter including a distal region having at least two radiopaque markers disposed a distance apart, and having a distal therapeutic treatment tip;
• treating a first site in said myocardium using said revascularization catheter;
• moving said distal therapeutic treatment tip away from said first site by about said distance to a second site;
• and
• treating said second site in said myocardium.