Magnetic particles for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location
A system for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with one embodiment is provided comprising a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, and a magnetic device for attracting the magnetic particles to a target location. The magnetic particles may be delivered by a catheter into a blood vessel upstream from the target location so that they travel toward the target location. A method for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with another embodiment comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to a target location, and allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device. The therapeutic agent may comprises a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating reperfusion injury, and the step of providing the plurality of magnetic particles may comprise delivering the plurality of magnetic particles through a blood vessel.
1. A method of delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body comprising:
positioning an angioplasty catheter at an obstruction in a coronary artery for performing an angioplasty procedure, the angioplasty catheter having a perfusion lumen;
conducting the angioplasty procedure at the obstruction in the coronary artery;
infusing a plurality of magnetic particles through the perfusion lumen of the angioplasty catheter into the coronary artery upstream from the target location, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, wherein the infusing step is performed simultaneously or nearly simultaneously with the angioplasty procedure;
placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to the target location, the target location being an area of ischemic myocardium; and
allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating reperfusion injury.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the magnetic device is placed through the inside of a heart adjacent inside layers of the myocardium wall to attract the magnetic particles to the ischemic myocardium.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the magnetic device is placed on the outside of a heart to attract the magnetic particles to the ischemic myocardium.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the magnetic particles of the plurality of magnetic particles comprises a magnetic core and a coating in which the therapeutic agent is contained.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the magnetic particles of the plurality of magnetic particles comprises a core in which the therapeutic agent is contained and a coating comprising magnetic material.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the magnetic particles of the plurality of magnetic particles comprises a porous magnetic material loaded with the therapeutic agent.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the magnetic particles of the plurality of magnetic particles comprises a matrix carrying magnetic material and the therapeutic agent.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the magnetic particles of the plurality of magnetic particles is a nanoparticle having a size of 200 nm or less.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an anti-inflammatory agent, a free radical scavenger, or a vasodilator.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the infusing step is performed simultaneously with the angioplasty procedure.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the infusing step is performed nearly simultaneously with the angioplasty procedure.
13. A method of delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body comprising:
providing a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent;
placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to a target location; and
allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device;
wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating reperfusion injury, and the step of providing the plurality of magnetic particles comprises delivering the plurality of magnetic particles through a blood vessel; and
wherein the magnetic device is placed on the outside of a heart to attract the magnetic particles to ischemic myocardium.