Abstract: An implantable percutaneous fluid delivery device is described that includes a subcutaneous base portion having one or more ports for supplying fluid to one or more implanted catheter devices and a percutaneous portion including an extracorporeal surface. The one or more ports of the subcutaneous base portion are accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the percutaneous portion. The subcutaneous base portion is at least partially insertable into a complementary recess formed in a bone, the subcutaneous base portion including one or more features for gripping the internal surface of such a complementary recess thereby directly anchoring the subcutaneous base portion to the bone. The device may be used to route fluid to neurosurgical catheters optionally via a router unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering therapeutic agents to the central nervous system of a subject is described. The apparatus includes at least one intracranial catheter and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device includes a body having at least one extracorporeal surface and at least one subcutaneous surface, the body defining at least one port for connection to an implanted intracranial catheter. The port is accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the device, but is provided with a seal such as a rubber bung between the lumen of the port and the extracorporeal surface. The percutaneous access device may have more than two ports and/or a flange. A method of implanting the percutaneous access device is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering therapeutic agents to the central nervous system of a subject is described. The apparatus includes at least one intracranial catheter and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device includes a body having at least one extracorporeal surface and at least one subcutaneous surface, the body defining at least one port for connection to an implanted intracranial catheter. The port is accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the device, but is provided with a seal such as a rubber bung between the lumen of the port and the extracorporeal surface. The percutaneous access device may have more than two ports and/or a flange. A method of implanting the percutaneous access device is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering therapeutic agents to the central nervous system of a subject is described. The apparatus includes at least one intracranial catheter and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device includes a body having at least one extracorporeal surface and at least one subcutaneous surface, the body defining at least one port for connection to an implanted intracranial catheter. The port is accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the device, but is provided with a seal such as a rubber bung between the lumen of the port and the extracorporeal surface. The percutaneous access device may have more than two ports and/or a flange. A method of implanting the percutaneous access device is also described.

Abstract: An implantable percutaneous fluid delivery device is described that includes a subcutaneous base portion having one or more ports for supplying fluid to one or more implanted catheter devices and a percutaneous portion including an extracorporeal surface. The one or more ports of the subcutaneous base portion are accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the percutaneous portion. The subcutaneous base portion is at least partially insertable into a complementary recess formed in a bone, the subcutaneous base portion including one or more features for gripping the internal surface of such a complementary recess thereby directly anchoring the subcutaneous base portion to the bone. The device may be used to route fluid to neurosurgical catheters optionally via a router unit.

Abstract: A high-strength steel sheet and a method for manufacturing a high-strength steel sheet having excellent phosphatability and excellent corrosion resistance after electrodeposition coating has been performed, even in the case where the contents of Si and Mn are high. The method may comprise annealing a steal sheet by using a continuous annealing method, performing a heating process, controlling the maximum end-point temperature of a steel sheet in the annealing furnace, controlling the traveling time of the steel sheet, and controlling the dew point of the atmosphere.

Abstract: An implantable percutaneous fluid delivery device is described that includes a subcutaneous base portion having one or more ports for supplying fluid to one or more implanted catheter devices and a percutaneous portion including an extracorporeal surface. The one or more ports of the subcutaneous base portion are accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the percutaneous portion. The subcutaneous base portion is at least partially insertable into a complementary recess formed in a bone, the subcutaneous base portion including one or more features for gripping the internal surface of such a complementary recess thereby directly anchoring the subcutaneous base portion to the bone. The device may be used to route fluid to neurosurgical catheters optionally via a router unit.

Abstract: An implantable fluid router is described that includes one or more inlets, one or more outlets and at least one gas vent for removing gas from liquid routed from the one or more inlets to the one or more outlets, The implantable router may be used with implantable drug delivery apparatus. A catheter device including such a fluid router is also described.

Abstract: Percutaneous access apparatus is described that comprises a percutaneous fluid access device having an extracorporeal portion, one or more ports accessible from the extracorporeal portion and a septum for sealing each port. A connector device comprising one or more hollow needles is attachable to the percutaneous fluid access device. The apparatus also includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the connector device to the extracorporeal portion and an actuation mechanism that, after the connector device has been attached to the extracorporeal portion, can be used to drive the one or more hollow needles through the septum to establish fluid communication between the one or more hollow needles and the one or more ports. The apparatus may be used for neurosurgery applications.

Abstract: Percutaneous access apparatus is described that includes a percutaneous fluid access device having an extracorporeal portion, one or more ports accessible from the extracorporeal portion and a septum for sealing each port. A connector device having one or more hollow needles is attachable to the percutaneous fluid access device. The apparatus also includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the connector device to the extracorporeal portion and an actuation mechanism that, after the connector device has been attached to the extracorporeal portion, can be used to drive the one or more hollow needles through the septum to establish fluid communication between the one or more hollow needles and the one or more ports. The apparatus may be used for neurosurgery applications.

Abstract: A catheter for use in neurosurgery, and a method of positioning neurosurgical apparatus. The catheter has a fine tube arranged for insertion into the brain parenchyma of a patient with an external diameter of not more than 1.0 mm. The catheter and method may be used in stereotactically targeting treatment of abnormalities of brain function, and for the infusion of therapeutic agents directly into the brain parenchyma. This is advantageous when a therapeutic agent would have widespread unwanted effects which could be avoided by confining the delivery to the malfunctioning or damaged brain tissue.

Abstract: A high-strength steel sheet and a method for manufacturing a high-strength steel sheet having excellent phosphatability and excellent corrosion resistance after electrodeposition coating has been performed, even in the case where the contents of Si and Mn are high. The method may comprise annealing a steal sheet by using a continuous annealing method, performing a heating process, controlling the maximum end-point temperature of a steel sheet in the annealing furnace, controlling the traveling time of the steel sheet, and controlling the dew point of the atmosphere.

Abstract: A cerebral catheter device for draining fluid from the brain of a patient is described. The device may be used as part of a ventricular shunt system. The device includes an elongate tube for insertion into the brain of a patient to a vicinity of a desired target. A head is attached to the elongate tube that has a passageway in fluid communication with a lumen of the elongate tube. Formations are provided on the external surface of the head for securing the head in a hole formed in the skull of a patient. The head further includes a first fluid connector portion that is attachable to an associated drainage catheter device. This allows fluid communication to be established between the lumen of the elongate tube and a drainage catheter device via the passageway of the head.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for insertion into the brain. The assembly comprises a first length of tubing made of a first material. A second material surrounds the first length of tubing, the second material being more flexible than the first material and having a hardness of less than 50 Rockwell E. The second material provides damping to the first length of tubing.

Abstract: A method is described for determining brain shift, such as the brain shift that occurs following a neurosurgical intervention. The method includes taking a first image of the brain of a subject, the first image showing the position of blood vessels in the brain relative to a reference position. A second image of the brain that has been acquired following an intervention on the subject is also taken. This second image has been acquired using computed tomography imaging apparatus. The second image shows the position of blood vessels in the brain relative to the reference position. Brain shift is then determined from the shift in position of the blood vessels in at least one region of interest of the brain, with respect to the reference position, between the first and second images. Corresponding apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for insertion into the brain. The assembly comprises a first length of tubing made of a first material. A second material surrounds the first length of tubing, the second material being more flexible than the first material and having a hardness of less than 50 Rockwell E. The second material provides damping to the first length of tubing.

Abstract: A head clamp for neurosurgery is described that includes a member for at least partially encircling the head of a subject. The first end and second end of the head clamp include first and second skull attachment portions for attaching the member to the head of a subject. A position setter, such as an indexing mechanism, is also provided that allows the member to be moved or indexed between at least two repeatable relative positions.

Abstract: A head clamp for neurosurgery is described that includes a member for at least partially encircling the head of a subject. The first end and second end of the head clamp include first and second skull attachment portions for attaching the member to the head of a subject. A position setter, such as an indexing mechanism, is also provided that allows the member to be moved or indexed between at least two repeatable relative positions.

Abstract: A method for delivering fluid to a brain of a subject is disclosed. This method includes the steps of: making one or more incisions in a subject; implanting one or more catheters in the brain of the subject; subcutaneously implanting a first part of a modular fluid delivery apparatus in the subject, the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus comprising a first length of tubing having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and the second end being connected to the one or more catheters; and closing the one or more incisions such that the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus and the one or more catheters are entirely subcutaneously implanted within the subject.

Abstract: A method for delivering fluid to a brain of a subject using a modular fluid delivery apparatus is described. The method comprises taking a subject having a first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus subcutaneously implanted therein, the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus comprising a first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and a second end being connected to one or more catheters implanted within the brain of the subject. The method also comprises taking a second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus, the second part comprising a third end comprising a second fluid connector portion. The method further comprises making an incision in the subject to gain access to the first fluid connector portion of the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus, and connecting the first fluid connector portion to the second fluid connector portion.