Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-30
2001-02-27
Dawson, Glenn K. (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193691
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to bioimplantable devices, and more particularly, to a system for introducing a catheter into the ventricle of a patient's brain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Catheters of various types are used to drain fluid from different areas of the body of a patient. One application of such catheters is for the treatment of head traumas where excess fluid accumulates in the patient's cranium. Another application of fluid drainage catheters is in the treatment of hydrocephalus, a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collects in the ventricles of the brain of a patient. In each case, an increased fluid volume within the cranium results in an increase in intracranial pressure. If these conditions are left untreated, the pressure levels resulting from the fluid build up can result in serious medical conditions, including compression of the brain tissue, impaired blood flow, and tissue ischemia.
To relieve the pressure, a drainage catheter can be inserted into the cranium to promote fluid drainage. One known technique for inserting the distal end of a catheter into a brain ventricle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,357 to Buijs et al. First and second incisions are made in the patient's scalp and a burr hole, which is aligned with the second incision, is formed in the patient's skull. An elongate needle is inserted into an opening in the catheter, which is coupled to a length of tubing, for tunneling the catheter/tubing assembly under the patient's scalp from the first incision to the second incision. The needle is then removed from the catheter and from the patient's scalp via the first incision for allowing the catheter to be manipulated such that it is aligned with the burr hole. The needle is then re-inserted into the catheter for guiding it into a brain ventricle. After the catheter is inserted to a desired depth, the needle is removed from the catheter.
While the technique described by Buijs et al. may provide a means to implant a catheter into a brain ventricle, there are certain concomitant drawbacks. In particular, a surgeon is required to assemble the needle and catheter two separate times. And for each time the needle must be inserted into the catheter, the opening in the catheter must be located. In addition, the needle may damage surrounding brain tissue if the needle is removed while within the skull. Further, any buckling of the catheter as the needle exits the catheter can damage brain tissue.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a system and method that allows rapid and safe implantation of a catheter into a patient's brain ventricle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system for implanting a catheter into a patient's body. Although the invention is primarily shown and described with reference to implanting a drainage catheter into a patient's ventricle, it is understood that the system has other applications as well.
In one embodiment, a catheter system includes a catheter for draining fluid from a patient's ventricle via surgical tubing coupled to the catheter. The elongate catheter has proximal and distal ends with a first lumen formed in the catheter for removably capturing a rigid stylet. The catheter includes a second lumen for providing a fluid drainage path. Prior to use, the stylet is contained within the first lumen in the catheter. A longitudinal slit is formed along a predetermined length of the catheter with the slit extending from an outer surface of the catheter into the first lumen. The stylet can be removed from the first lumen by bending the catheter such that a portion of the stylet protrudes from the slit. The exposed portion of the stylet can be grasped by a surgeon to remove the stylet from the catheter after it is positioned in the ventricle.
In an exemplary technique for implanting a brain ventricular catheter, first and second incisions are initially formed in the patient's scalp and a burr hole, which is generally coincident with the second incision, is created in the patient's skull. The rigid nature of the stylet facilitates tunneling of the catheter under the scalp from the first incision to the second incision. The catheter and the surgical tubing are then manipulated such that the catheter is generally perpendicular to the skull. The distal end of the catheter is inserted into the patient's cranium to a desired depth and position. The catheter is maintained in position while a proximal portion of the catheter is bent thereby forcing a part of the rigid stylet to exit the catheter via the slit. A surgeon then removes the stylet from the catheter and secures the catheter and tubing in position.
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Dawson Glenn K.
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
Nutter & McClennen & Fish LLP
Serke Catherine
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