Importance

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Abstract

A catheter device having a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced electrodes carried thereby, infusion means for infusion of fluid medium for carrying genes and drugs, and expandable sealing means at each end of the electrodes for sealing off and confining the therapeutic medium to the area to be treated is inserted into a selected blood vessel of a patient and advanced to a preselected location within the blood vessel where cells on or near the wall of the vessel are to be treated. Once in place, the catheter device is expanded so that the plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced electrodes carried thereby are in contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel and seals at each end of the electrodes expand and seal the catheter device in the preselected location. A quantity of therapeutic genes or drugs is infused into the area of the electrodes via a tube and a conventional pump. A power pack connected to the electrodes is energized subjecting the cells to electric fields of predetermined amplitude and duration making the walls of the cells transiently permeable to enabling therapeutic genes or drugs carried by the fluid medium to enter the cells without killing them.

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First Claim