Method for measuring intracranial fluid characteristics
First Claim
1. A method of measuring intracranial fluid characteristics, comprising the steps of:
- creating a passage into a cranial cavity containing intracranial fluid;
routing a grooved needle along a subdermal region from said passage to an exit point spaced from said passage;
positioning a transducer tipped catheter from said exit point through said grooved needle and into said passage;
removing said needle;
covering said passage over said transducer tipped catheter; and
,sensing characteristics of said intracranial fluid transmitted from said transducer tipped catheter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and assembly is provided which allows measurement of intracranial fluid characteristics at the intracranial region of the brain. The invention contemplates a method of implanting a ventricular catheter having one end residing in the ventricular region and the other end exiting the cranial region at a distal location. A grooved needle allows placement of a transducer tipped catheter and rerouting of both the ventricular, in-dwelling catheter and the transducer tipped catheter placed within the in-dwelling catheter. Intracranial fluid characteristics are monitored by an electrically coupled distal monitor. Further, access to the intracranial fluid is also provided to allow either short-term or long-term withdrawal or injection of intracranial fluid.
100 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of measuring intracranial fluid characteristics, comprising the steps of:
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creating a passage into a cranial cavity containing intracranial fluid; routing a grooved needle along a subdermal region from said passage to an exit point spaced from said passage; positioning a transducer tipped catheter from said exit point through said grooved needle and into said passage; removing said needle; covering said passage over said transducer tipped catheter; and
,sensing characteristics of said intracranial fluid transmitted from said transducer tipped catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of measuring intracranial fluid characteristics, comprising the steps of:
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creating a passage into a cranial cavity containing intracranial fluid; inserting an in-dwelling catheter into said passage with the distal end residing in said cranial cavity and having openings therein; routing a grooved needle along a subdermal region from said passage to an exit point spaced from said passage; positioning a transducer tipped catheter from said exit point through said grooved needle and into said in-dwelling catheter; connecting said in-dwelling catheter to said needle; drawing said needle and the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter out said exit point; removing said needle; covering said passage over said in-dwelling catheter; and
,transmitting characteristics of said intracranial fluid form said transducer tipped catheter. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of positioning a ventricular catheter into a ventricle of the brain having intracranial fluid, comprising the steps of:
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creating a passage through scalp, bone and underlying dura matter and into said ventricle; inserting an in-dwelling catheter into said passage with the distal end of said catheter residing in said ventricle and in fluid communication therewith; mounting a grooved needle along a subdermal region from a point within said passage immediately underneath said scalp to an exit point; positioning a transducer tipped catheter and attached wires from said exit point, through said groove and into the distal end of said in-dwelling catheter; connecting the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter to the proximal end of said needle; drawing said needle and connected proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter from said passage and out said exit point along the subdermal path created by said needle; removing said needle from said in-dwelling catheter and from said transducer tipped catheter; and
,suturing said scalp over said passage external to said in-dwelling catheter to substantially prevent infection from entering said passage.
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Specification