Methods of local gene delivery to vascular tissues.

The development of methods employing the introduction of new genetic material for therapeutic applications in the cardiovascular system is dependent not only on the evolution of molecular vectors, but also 'mechanical vectors' encompassing a variety of mechanisms and approaches for the delivery of vectors or vector-modified cells to anatomical regions of interest. A significant challenge lies in the evolution of mechanical devices capable of highly efficient, localized and homogeneous delivery. Each of these three characteristics, though very desirable, remains generally elusive for several kinetic and physical reasons. Recently developed devices which render possible minimally-invasive peri- or epivascular delivery may provide advances in these aspects of delivery.