Intracranial catheter

Abstract

A catheter having an outer profile which is formed such that a path length along an outer surface of the catheter is greater than the corresponding length of the catheter, and to a method for determining the shape of a catheter, and wherein the elasticity and / or conductivity of the tissue into which the catheter is to be introduced is taken into account in order to determine the outer profile of the catheter.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 680,129 filed on May 12, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a catheter and, more particularly, to an intracranial catheter that reduces a backflow distance of a liquid dispensed by the catheter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Various catheters are known that differ with regard to their shape and size. For example, catheters can exhibit various diameters and lengths. Further, an opening for dispensing a liquid can be located at a distal end of the catheter or along the catheter. [0004] For directly treating a diseased area of the body such as, for example, brain tumors or neurodegenerative diseases, it is advantageous if medicines or therapeutic agents can be directly supplied to the diseased area in the body. In order to supply a medicine to a diseased tissue, a catheter is introduced i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] By increasing the reverse flow path along an outer surface of the catheter, an increased reverse flow length is exhibited for a given penetration depth (as compared for instance to a tubular or cylindrical catheter) along every possible reverse flow path or along a portion of the possible reverse flow paths. Thus, it is possible to improve the supply of substance or fluid to tissue (e.g., to the white matter of the brain). Further, the precision at which the substance may be delivered to the brain can be increased since the delivery will be more localized. This enhances the predictability of the fluid dispersion in the tissue and, thus, enables simulations to be performed with increased precision. As the fluid or substance dispersion is improved, the catheter may be used in a more reliable and efficient manner. For example, the location and / or parameters for dispensing a liquid (e.g., pressure or flow rate) can be planned with greater precision, which can improve the success of the treatment.

[0011] When determining an outer shape and / or length of a catheter, the tissue elasticity may be taken into account, such that the contact area between the surface of the catheter and the penetrated tissue may be optimized and maximized, so as to form a small reverse flow channel or not to form a reverse flow channel for the substance to be administered. The contact area between the surface of the catheter and the tissue can determine the reverse flow distance, such that the actual reverse flow distance in the tissue can be shortened, since the surface runs in curves and bends and is not linear or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. Equally, the conductivity and / or infusion parameters, such as the flow rate or an infusion pressure, for example, may be taken into account when selecting the shape of the catheter.

Problems solved by technology

However, using paediatric ventricle catheters such as hitherto have been used for treating such diseased tissue, it is not possible to dispense a particular amount of a substance safely and / or reliably in a desired area of a body.

If, for example, an intracranial surface such as a sulcus is penetrated by the catheter used for an infusion or injection, it is highly probable that the back flowing fluid will disperse along the surface of the sulcus and will not reach the desired target (e.g., in front of the catheter tip).

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