Direct central nervous system catheter and temperature control system

• US 7,014,624 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UAB Research Foundation (University of Alabama System)
• Original Assignee: UAB Research Foundation (University of Alabama System)
• Inventors: Meythaler, Jay M., Miller, Landon C., Peduzzi-Nelson, Jean D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, CATHERINE SERKE
• Application Number:
  US10/443,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20040024358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 604/43, 604/48, 604/505, 604/508, 604 65- 67, 604/93.01, 604113-114, 604/151, 604246-249, 604/256, 604/257, 604/264, 604/268, 604/523, 604/533, 604534-535, 604/284, 604/890.1, 607/62, 607 96- 99, 137/340, 606 27- 31, 600/549, 600/561, 600/573, 600/581, 600/485
• US Class Current: 604/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 Temperature
• 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 27/006 Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1408 in parallel, e.g. manifolds, sequencing valves access sites A61M39/02; tube connectors A61M39/10

Abstract

A central nervous system (CNS) catheter assembly adapted for use as a ventriculostomy catheter and a spinal catheter includes a catheter body defining at least one lumen therethrough having a drug delivery branch and a monitoring/sensing branch. The drug delivery branch and the monitoring/sensing second branch are in fluid communication with the lumen. Openings are disposed in fluid communication with the lumen and being located at proximal ends of the drug delivery branch and the monitoring/sensing branch. Another opening is disposed at a distal end of the main body. The assembly further includes a component such as an intracranial pressure/osmotic pressure monitoring system, a fluid drainage system, an attachable introduction aid, a patient surface attachment aid, a micromanipulator and a comprehensive intracranial pressure evaluation and relief system. The assembly optionally includes a filter assembly containing a proton exchange membrane.

Claims

1. A central nervous system (CNS) catheter assembly adapted for use as a ventriculostomy catheter and a spinal catheter, said CNS catheter assembly comprising:

a catheter body defining at least one lumen therethrough having at least a first branch and a second branch, said first branch and said second branch in fluid communication with said at least one lumen and having a fixed displacement therebetween, said catheter body having an insertable portion for insertion within a ventricle space or spinal canal of a subject;

an opening in fluid communication with said at least one lumen disposed at a proximal end of said first branch;

an opening in fluid communication with said at least one lumen disposed at a proximal end of said second branch;

at least one opening in fluid communication with said at least one lumen disposed at a distal end of said catheter body;

an aseptic drug delivery filter assembly disposed in fluid communication with said first branch;

a first valve disposed in fluid communication with said second branch; and

a component in fluid communication with said at least one lumen and having said first branch and said second branch intermediate between said component and the insertable portion of said catheter body or intersects said second branch at said first valve, said component selected from the group consisting of;

an intracranial pressure/osmotic pressure monitoring system, and an intracranial pressure evaluation and relief system.

2. A catheter assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second valve disposed in fluid communication with said first branch.

3. A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said filter assembly comprises a micro-pore filter.

4. A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said filter assembly comprises a membrane filter.

5. A catheter assembly according to claim 4, wherein said membrane filter is a positron emission membrane filter.

6. A catheter assembly according to claim 2, wherein said second valve is a one-way flow valve.

7. A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said catheter body has a single lumen.

8. A catheter assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first connector disposed at the proximal end of said first branch.

9. A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second branch comprises a second connector disposed at the proximal end thereof.

10. A catheter assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a third branch disposed in fluid communication with said catheter body.

11. A catheter assembly according to claim 10 further comprising a third valve disposed in fluid communication with said catheter body and said third branch.

12. A catheter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first valve is a Y-valve.

13. A catheter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first valve is a swing valve.

14. A method for aseptic drug delivery to the central nervous system through a catheter and cerebrospinal fluid, and monitoring of intracranial pressure or intraspinal pressure, said method comprising:

inserting a catheter according to claim 1 into at least one of;

a ventricular space and a spinal canal; and

delivering a drug through the first branch by positioning the second valve in the first position without opening the catheter to the atmosphere.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising monitoring intracranial or intraspinal pressure by connecting a pressure monitoring device to the second branch.

16. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the removing cerebrospinal fluid through a third branch without opening the catheter to the atmosphere.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein said drug is delivered from an external pump through the first branch.

18. A central nervous system (CNS) catheter assembly adapted for use as a ventriculostomy catheter and a spinal catheter, said CNS catheter assembly comprising:

a catheter body defining at least one lumen therethrough having at least a first branch and a second branch, said first branch and said second branch in fluid communication with said at least one lumen and having a fixed displacement therebetween, said catheter body having an insertable portion for insertion within a ventricle space or spinal canal of a subject;

an opening in fluid communication with said at least one lumen disposed at a proximal end of said first branch;

an opening in fluid communication with said at least one lumen disposed at a proximal end of said second branch;

at least one opening in fluid communication with said at least one lumen disposed at a distal end of said catheter body;

an aseptic drug delivery filter assembly disposed in fluid communication with said first branch;

a first valve disposed in fluid communication with said second branch; and

a component in fluid communication with said at least one lumen, said component selected from the group consisting of;

an attachable introduction aid, a patient surface attachment aid, and a micromanipulator.

19. A catheter assembly according to claim 18, further comprising a second valve disposed in fluid communication with said first branch.

20. A catheter assembly according to claim 18, wherein said filter assembly comprises a micro-pore filter.

21. A catheter assembly according to claim 20, wherein said filter assembly comprises a membrane filter.

22. A catheter assembly according to claim 21, wherein said membrane filter is a positron emission membrane filter.

23. A catheter assembly according to claim 19, wherein said second valve is a one-way flow valve.

24. A catheter assembly according to claim 18, wherein said catheter body has a single lumen.

25. A catheter assembly according to claim 18, further comprising a first connector disposed at the proximal end of said first branch.

26. A catheter assembly according to claim 18, wherein said second branch comprises a second connector disposed at the proximal end thereof.

27. A catheter assembly according to claim 18 further comprising a third branch disposed in fluid communication with said catheter body.

28. A catheter assembly according to claim 27 further comprising a third valve disposed in fluid communication with said catheter body and said third branch.

29. A catheter assembly according to claim 18 wherein said first valve is a Y-valve.

30. A catheter assembly according to claim 18 wherein said first valve is a swing valve.