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

• US 9,770,180 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2008
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agathos Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Milan Radojicic
• Inventors: Radojicic, Milan
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARPENTER, WILLIAM R
• Application Number:
  US12/228,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20090227851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,328 Days
• Field of Search: 604500, 604506, 604 9301, 600433, 600309
• 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:

an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is adapted for placement in a spinal fluid pathway, epidural space, ventricle or cistern;

monitoring lumen connected to a monitoring port at a distal end, wherein the monitoring port is a first port housing a transducer, wherein the transducer determines pressure data in the spinal fluid pathway, epidural space, ventricle or cistern;

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

an outlet lumen connected to an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is a third port, wherein at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port supplies infuses or exchanges fluid to establish changes in volume;

an I/O system configured to receive the pressure data and generate impedance measurements based upon the relationship between the changes in volume and the pressure data;

wherein the transducer can transmit and collect electromagnetic radiation, in at least one of the ultrasonic, infrared range, and visible range; and

wherein the transducer continuously monitors structural data of the spinal cord, including central canal size and parenchymal edema.

2. A spinal catheter comprising:

an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is adapted for placement in a spinal fluid pathway, epidural space, ventricle or cistern;

monitoring lumen connected to a monitoring port at a distal end, wherein the monitoring port is a first port housing a transducer, wherein the transducer determines pressure data in the spinal fluid pathway, epidural space, ventricle or cistern;

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

an outlet lumen connected to an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is a third port, wherein at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port supplies infuses or exchanges fluid to establish changes in volume;

an I/O system configured to receive the pressure data and generate impedance measurements based upon the relationship between the changes in volume and the pressure data;

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;

wherein the transducer can transmit and collect electromagnetic radiation, in at least one of the ultrasonic, infrared range, and visible range; and

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 a pressure sensor, wherein the transducer monitors spinal fluid pressure, wherein the transducer monitors cerebrospinal compliance.