# US 9,872,982 B2 · Electroosmotic convection-enhanced delivery system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,982 B2 - Document ID: US9872982B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/738,720 - Filed: 2013-01-10 - Published: 2013-07-11 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-10 - Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Applicants: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Inventors: Stephen Weber; Amir H. Faraji; Yifat Guy; Andrea Jaquins-Gerstl; Alec C. Valenta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872982B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/325: {for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body (electrodes for external use A61N1/0428)} - A61M 37/00: Other apparatus for introducing media into the body (for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30); Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin (salt baths A61H33/04) - A61N 1/306: {Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body} - A61M 2037/0007: {having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Apparatuses and methods for electrokinetic transport of fluids to patients. Drug-containing solutions may be placed in vial-like reservoir, which is connected to an apparatus such as a traditional catheter or other device capable of holding a drug-containing solution. Instead of a vial-like reservoir, a doped infusion pad or a gel may be used as a source of the drug-containing solution. The reservoir and apparatus may thus be the same component. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may also be used to transport fluid alone to achieve a clinical effect. The apparatus is placed at the point of drug delivery. The counter-electrode may be placed in or on a patient. Current is passed from the reservoir to the counter-electrode. Through electrokinetic transport, drug-containing solution is delivered along a current path from the drug source to the counter-electrode. A hollow fiber catheter for use in electrokinetic transport is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of administering a fluid to a tissue, comprising: inserting a blunt end of a distal portion of at least one fluid passage defined by a hollow fiber into a target tissue at a first position in a subject; fluidically coupling a proximal portion of the at least one fluid passage defined by the hollow fiber to a fluid reservoir with a catheter, wherein a support rod is situated in lumens of the hollow fiber and the catheter; placing a counter-electrode at a second subject position, wherein the fluid reservoir and the counter-electrode are operably connected to a current source; applying a current to the fluid reservoir; and allowing the fluid to be transported into the tissue in response to the applied current. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said tissue is a neural tissue. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising implanting the catheter in said target tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a path between said first position and said second position defines a trajectory along with an electrokinetic transport occurs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said fluid is a drug-containing fluid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said drug is a small molecule or a peptide. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein said small molecule is a chemotherapeutic compound, a local anesthetic, a neurotransmitter, or a steroid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein said peptide is a neurotransmitter, an antibody, or a signaling peptide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said drug is a positively charged molecule. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said drug is a neutral molecule. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said drug is a negatively charged molecule. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said drug-containing fluid includes a drug in a formulation of nanoparticles or liposomes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir situated remote from said subject and the current is directed to the fluid in the fluid reservoir with an electrode situated at the fluid reservoir. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the current is directed toward the subject from said fluid reservoir situated external to said subject through the at least one fluid passage. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the current is directed between the fluid reservoir and the tissue through the fluid passage defined in the hollow fiber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the fluid reservoir in a first compartment of a vial, wherein the vial includes a second compartment and a separator situated between the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein an electrode is situated in the second compartment so that the current is applied to the first compartment of the fluid reservoir from the second compartment of the fluid reservoir through the separator with the electrode in the second compartment. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage is defined by a methacrylate-, acrylate-, or sulfonate-containing polymer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage is defined by an anionic surface.