System and method for monitoring and delivering therapeutics to the spinal cord

• US 20090227851A1
• Filed: 08/16/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agathos Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Milan Radojicic
• Inventors: Radojicic, Milan
• Granted Patent: US 9,770,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/032 Spinal fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0003 having an additional lumen transmitting fluid pressure to the outside for measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00

Abstract

This invention is a continuous monitor of the spinal cord and brain microenvironment in injury and disease that also allows therapeutic interventions. It utilizes a multiport catheter that contains a transducer at the tip for monitoring spinal physiological parameters and also allows via additional ports for sampling and exchange of spinal fluid, as well as drug delivery to the central nervous system. This invention allows for more precise therapeutic interventions in spinal cord and brain injury and disease. If the pressure monitor is mounted to the patient, the wireless data transmitter may also send a wireless signal to a wireless data receiver for display on a wireless data display. The catheter would allow for wireless transmission of physiological parameters.

Claims

1. A spinal catheter comprising:

a. an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proxial end;

b. monitoring lumen connected to a monitoring port at a distal end, wherein the monitoring port is the first port;

c. an inlet lumen formed on the elongate shaft and connected to an inlet port, wherein the inlet port is the second port;

d. an outlet lumen having the same cross sectional area as the inlet lumen and connected to an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is the third port;

e. wherein the distal end is adapted for placement in a spinal fluid pathway or cistern, particularly the lumbar cistern.

2. The spinal catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter has at least four ports total, organized in quadrant configuration wherein the fourth port is a spare port capable of receiving a surgical tool which passes through the spare port to an opening in the tip.

3. The spinal catheter of claim 1, wherein a fourth port is a surgical tool port and receives a surgical tool.

4. The spinal catheter of claim 1, further comprising a transducer mounted to the monitoring port, wherein the transducer forms the distal end of the spinal catheter.

5. The spinal catheter of claim 4, wherein the transducer can transmit and collect electromagnetic radiation, in the ultrasonic, infrared range, and visible range.

6. The spinal catheter of claim 4, wherein the transducer continuously monitors structural data of the spinal cord, including central canal size and parenchymal edema.

7. The spinal catheter of claim 4, further comprising a biosensor mounted to the distal end of a port, wherein the biosensor monitors cerebrospinal fluid for physiological parameters, and information is sent to a subcutanous wireless transmitter for transmission to an external receiver.

8. The spinal catheter of claim 4, wherein the transducer is an applanation pressure sensor.

9. The spinal catheter of claim 4, wherein the transducer monitors change in spinal fluid pressure.

10. The spinal catheter of claim 4, wherein the transducer monitors spinal dural compliance.

11. The spinal catheter of claim 1, further comprising a biosensor mounted to the surgical tool port, wherein the biosensor monitors cerebrospinal fluid for physiological parameters, such as pH, glucose, protein, cell count and CSF gas values.

12. The spinal catheter of claim 1, further comprising a fluid pump for delivery of a therapeutic substance to cerebrospinal fluid for treatment of a brain or spinal cord disease.

13. The spinal catheter of claim 1, further comprising a spinal fluid data analyzer processing physiologic parameters of a patient which are monitored pre- and post-valsalva maneuver and compared to responses in control subjects.

14. The spinal catheter of claim 1, further comprising a spinal fluid exchange device for exchanging cerebrospinal fluid with an inflow of artificial cerebrospinal fluid.

15. The spinal catheter of claim 1, further comprising a dialyzer that drains cerebrospinal fluid, dialyzes it of a substance and re-circulates cerebrospinal fluid into subarachnoid space.

16. The spinal catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter has at least four ports total, wherein a fourth port is a surgical tool port and receives a surgical tool, further comprising a transducer mounted to the monitoring port, wherein the transducer forms the distal end of the spinal catheter.

17. The spinal catheter of claim 16, wherein the transducer can transmit and collect electromagnetic radiation, in the ultrasonic, infrared range, and visible range.

18. The spinal catheter of claim 16, wherein the transducer continuously monitors structural data of the spinal cord, including central canal size and parenchymal edema, wherein the transducer continuously monitors flow characteristics of the spinal cord, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid velocity, wherein the transducer is an applanation pressure sensor, wherein the transducer monitors spinal fluid pressure, wherein the transducer monitors spinal dural compliance.

19. The spinal catheter of claim 16, further comprising a biosensor mounted to the surgical tool port, wherein the biosensor monitors cerebrospinal fluid for physiological parameters, such as pH, glucose, protein, cell count and CSF gas values, further comprising a fluid pump for delivery of a therapeutic substance to cerebrospinal fluid for treatment of a brain or spinal cord disease, further comprising a spinal fluid data analyzer processing physiologic parameters of a patient which are monitored pre- and post-valsalva maneuver and compared to responses in control subjects.

20. The spinal catheter of claim 16, further comprising a spinal fluid exchange device for exchanging cerebrospinal fluid with an inflow of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, further comprising a dialyzer that drains cerebrospinal fluid, dialyzes it of a substance and re-circulates cerebrospinal fluid into subarachnoid space.