Various exemplary methods and devices (10, 110, 210) for delivering liquid therapeutic agents in solid tumors are provided. In general, a delivery device configured to deliver a liquid therapeutic agent into a solid tumor or other soft tissue can be configured to compress tissue and seal any fluid gaps around the delivery device during the delivery of the liquid therapeutic agent. In an exemplary embodiment the delivery device includes three elongate tubular shafts (12, 14, 16, 112, 114, 116, 212, 214, 216) configured to move longitudinally relative to one another. The elongate tubular shafts are configured to cooperate with one another to deliver the liquid therapeutic agent through a passageway of the delivery device to the solid tumor or other soft tissue and seal any fluid gaps around the delivery device while the liquid therapeutic agent is delivered into the solid tumor or other soft tissue.

A surgical instrument includes a housing (20), a syringe carriage (40), a movable handle (25), a shaft (30), a needle sheath (50), and a needle (60). The syringe carriage is operably coupled to the housing and configured to couple to a syringe. The movable handle is movable relative to the housing and operably coupled to the syringe carriage to distally advance the syringe carriage. The shaft extends distally from the housing and defines a lumen. The needle sheath extends through the lumen of the shaft, defines a lumen, and is movable relative to the shaft between an extended condition and a retracted condition. The needle extends through the lumen of the needle sheath and is configured to operably couple to a syringe coupled to the syringe carriage.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for measuring an injection catheter needle insertion depth and/or injection solution efficacy. An example injection catheter may include a catheter tube and a retractable, electrically conductive needle disposed in the catheter tube and configured to extend from the catheter tube. The injection catheter may also include one or more electrodes disposed at a distal portion of the catheter tube, an electrical lead coupled to the needle, and electrical leads coupled to the electrode(s). An example method includes deploying such an injection catheter adjacent to the tissue, extending a needle into the tissue, receiving electrical signals from an electrical lead coupled to the needle and from other electrical leads coupled to the electrode(s), determining a bioelectrical parameter based on the received electrical signals, and determining a depth of the needle inserted into the tissue based on the bioelectrical parameter.

An electrosurgical apparatus for treating fluid-filled biological growths by replacing the fluid within the growth with a substance that assists in delivering treatment energy. The treatment energy may be microwave energy or may be thermal energy derived from microwave energy. The apparatus comprises an instrument having a radiating tip portion, and a fluid delivery mechanism for transporting fluid to and from a treatment zone located around the radiating tip portion. The fluid delivery mechanism comprises a rigid insertion element arranged to extend into the treatment zone, whereby fluid can be aspirated from the treatment zone, and a substance injected into the treatment zone to replace the aspirated fluid. The injected substance has dielectric properties selected to facilitate uniform delivery of treatment energy to biological tissue in the treatment zone.

A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is provided. The method comprises inserting a delivery tool containing the therapeutic agent through an anterior portion, a lateral portion, or an anterolateral portion of an annulus fibrosus and into the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc; and delivering the therapeutic agent to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Devices and kits are also provided.

Devices for transferring fluid to or from a subject include an elongate tubular cannula having opposing proximal and distal ends with an axially extending lumen. The devices also include an elongate needle having opposing proximal and distal ends. The elongate needle is configured so that the distal end of the needle extends out of the distal end of the cannula a suitable adjustable distance. The devices also include a housing with a length adjustment mechanism that adjusts a length between the tip of the needle and the distal end of the tubular cannula.

A probe for real-time sensing of a target biomarker the includes a needle, a luminescent probe within the opening of the needle, a coating comprising a biomarker luminescent material in contact with biological tissue, and an ion-consuming coating within the needle and adjacent to the coating. The disclosed probe is useful for real-time sensing of blood during medical procedures. Additionally, a biomarker detection system is disclosed that includes a biomarker luminescent material at the tip of or inside of the tip of a needle and an optical coupler.

Methods of delivering cells and other therapeutic agents to organs and extravascular sites using an endoluminal delivery device are provided that allow for retention of the cells or agents at the delivery site at significantly improved levels as compared to needle delivery. Optimal delivery rates using the endoluminal delivery device are also provided. The methods allow for delivery of a variety of therapeutic agents to organs including heart, kidney and pancreas.

Disclosed herein are methods to restore myocardial conduction via the injection of conductive nanoparticles into the myocardium via an endovascular injection catheter.

A therapeutic device (1) has a stem (3) having a distal end (60) configured for insertion in a patient's ear canal with latching by suction to the tympanic membrane so that there is no relative movement despite patient head movement. A needle (63) punctures the membrane after suction is applied by negative pressure via a lumen (66). The needle tip is located within a suction cup which grips the membrane. A hand-held control device (2) is coupled to the stem and has a user-actuated controller (8) for controlling application of negative pressure (7) to the suction lumen.