Percutaneous epicardial injection

A Percutaneous epicardial injection apparatus for myocardial repair and treatment, comprising:

• a catheter having a tubular wall, an interior portion surrounded by said tubular wall, a base end, a distal end and a central longitudinal axis extending between said catheter base end and said catheter distal end;
• said catheter distal end being adapted to attach to a myocardium;
• a lumen extending from said catheter base end to said catheter distal end within said catheter interior, said lumen being adapted to slidably support an elongated syringe having a needle tip adapted for movement between a retracted position wherein said needle tip is recessed within said catheter interior to an extended position wherein said needle tip extends from said catheter interior;
• said catheter distal end including an end face of said tubular wall that is formed at an oblique angle relative to said catheter longitudinal axis;
• said catheter distal end further including suction elements adapted to facilitate attachment of said catheter to said myocardium;
• and
• said suction elements comprising a plurality of openings in a compliant tubular ring member mounted at said catheter distal end;
• whereby said injection apparatus may be used to introduce a myocardial repair or treatment material into a dysfunctional area of said myocardium while said catheter distal end is attached thereto by extending said needle tip into said myocardium and injecting the myocardial repair or treatment material into dysfunctional area.

A percutaneous epicardial injection apparatus for myocardial repair and treatment, comprising:

• a catheter having a tubular wall, an interior portion surrounded by said tubular wall, a base end, a distal end and a central longitudinal axis extending between said catheter base end and said catheter distal end;
• said catheter distal end being adapted to attach to a myocardium;
• a lumen extending from said catheter base end to said catheter distal end within said catheter interior, said lumen being adapted to slidably support an elongated syringe having a needle tip adapted for movement between a retracted position wherein said needle tip is recessed within said catheter interior to an extended position wherein said needle tip is recessed catheter interior;
• and
• a cell counter mounted on said tubular wall;
• whereby said injection apparatus mat be used to introduce a myocardium repair or treatment material into a dysfunctional area of said myocardium while said catheter distal end is attached thereto by extending said needle tip into said myocardium and injecting the myocardial repair or treatment material into said dysfunctional area.

A method for applying a myocardial repair or treatment material to a myocardium, comprising the steps of:

• via percutaneous approach beneath the xiphoid bone of a patient, inserting a small needle patient's pericardium;
• introducing a guide wire and balloon dilator into the patient's pericardial sac;
• dilating the patient's pericardial sac;
• following elevation of the patient's heart as necessary, selecting a percutaneous epicardial injection apparatus and preparing it for use;
• said percutaneous epicardial injection apparatus comprising:
• a catheter having a tubular wall, an interior portion surrounded by said tubular wall, a base end, a distal end and a central longitudinal axis extending between said catheter base end and said catheter distal end;
• said catheter distal end being adapted to attach to a myocardium;
• and
• a lumen extending from said catheter base end to said catheter distal end within said catheter interior, said lumen being adapted to slidably support an elongated syringe having a needle tip adapted for movement between a retracted position wherein said needle tip is recessed within said catheter interior to an extended position wherein said needle tip extends from said catheter interior;
• whereby said injection apparatus may be used to introduce a myocardial repair or treatment material into a dysfunctional area of said myocardium while said catheter distal end is attached thereto by extending said needle tip into said myocardium and injecting the myocardial repair or treatment material into said dysfunctional area;
• introducing said catheter using a percutaneous approach and guiding said catheter into said pericardial sac to a selected area of the patient's myocardium;
• attaching said catheter distal end to said myocardium at said selected area;
• extending said needle tip of said syringe into said selected area;
• and
• injecting said repair or treatment material into said myocardium.

A percutaneous epicardial injection apparatus for myocardial repair and treatment, comprising:

• a catheter having a tubular wall, an interior portion surrounded by said tubular wall, a base end, a distal end and a central longitudinal axis extending between said catheter base end and said catheter distal end;
• said catheter distal end being adapted to attach to a myocardium and including an end face of said tubular wall that is formed at an oblique angle relative to said catheter longitudinal axis;
• said catheter distal end further including suction means for facilitating attachment of said catheter to said myocardium;
• a first lumen extending from said catheter base end to said catheter distal end within said catheter interior, said lumen being adapted to slidably support an elongated syringe having a needle tip adapted for movement between a retracted position wherein said needle tip is recessed within said catheter interior to an extended position wherein said needle tip extends from said catheter interior;
• a second lumen extending from said catheter base end to said catheter distal end within said catheter interior, and carrying an optical imaging device that includes a light source;
• a third lumen extending from said catheter base end to said catheter distal end within said catheter interior, and carrying an ultrasound imaging device;
• a cell counter mounted on said tubular wall;
• and
• a pair of electrodes mounted at said catheter distal end for myocardial electrical monitoring;
• whereby said injection apparatus may be used to introduce a myocardial repair or treatment material into a dysfunctional area of said myocardium while said distal end is attached thereto by extending said needle tip of said syringe into said myocardium and injecting the myocardial repair or treatment material into said dysfunctional area.