Real-time molecular imaging and minimally-invasive detection in interventional cardiology
A catheter is disclosed for locating radiation tagged tissue within a mammalian body and treating tagged tissue or untagged tissue adjacent to the tagged tissue in a single procedure. The catheter includes in or on a distal end thereof one or more detectors for locating labeled tissue. A lumen extending from a proximal end of said tube to the distal end of said tube, includes a retractable and extendable needle positioned adjacent the distal end of said tube for delivering a liquid treatment modality. I the alternative the injector for delivering the treatment modality may be placed adjacent to the catheter for delivery of the treatment.
1. A catheter for locating and treating tagged tissue within a human body comprising:
a tube steerable through a vessel within the human body, said tube including in or on a distal end thereof one or more detectors for locating labeled tissue within the human body,
a lumen extending from a proximal end of said tube to the distal end of said tube, and
a retractable and extendable needle positioned in said lumen adjacent the distal end of said tube, said needle having a hollow conduit attached thereto and extending through said lumen to the proximal end of said tube, the hollow conduit configured to provide a treatment modality.
2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the one or more detectors detects beta-rays, gammas rays, xrays, fluorescence, or electrical activity.
3. The catheter of claim 2 further including a CCD camera in or on a distal portion of the catheter.
4. The catheter of claim 2 further including one or more of a laser, electrodes for sensing electrical signals from the heart and a biopsy needle.
5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the treatment modality comprises a liquid comprising cells, genes, polymers, inhibitory microRNAs, DNA, plasmids, chemicals, enzymes, growth factors, medicinal compounds or combinations thereof.
6. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the treatment modality comprises delivery electrical energy or provides tissue ablation.
7. The catheter of claim 1 further including a location indicator in or on a distal portion of the catheter.
8. The catheter of claim 7 wherein the location indicator is a signal transmitting position sensor.
9. The catheter of claim 7 wherein the location indicator comprises radiopaque makers.