Abstract: A catheter system adapted for navigating, guiding and implanting a catheter or a plurality of catheters in a spatially-defined implantation within the tissue of a patient is provided. The system can include a tissue navigation system and a probe to inform the navigation system to guide emplacement of the catheters within a target tissue. The probe can provide images, such as fiberoptic visual images, or ultrasound images, or can provide radiolocation data, to guide the catheter emplacement. The catheters supply a pressurized liquid including a bioactive agent, such as can be used in the treatment of cancer, for example 123I- or 125I-IUDR. The system and methods provided can be used in the treatment of locally advanced tumors, such as cancers of the brain, head or neck, esophagus, prostate, ovary, liver, pancreas, bladder or rectum.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the local radiotherapy of cancers such as locally invasive, advanced stage solid tumors, and normal tissues penetrated by processes of cancerous tissue, through administration of Auger-electron emitting radionucleoside analogs using high-flow microinfusion techniques (“convection-enhanced delivery”). Direct infusion under pressure, at flow rates in excess of at least about 0.5 microliters/min of the radionucleosides provides for their mass transport through tissue to a much higher degree than could be achieved by passive, unpressurized diffusion.

Abstract: A catheter array system adapted for implanting a plurality of catheters within the tissue of a patient in a spatially defined array, comprising a plurality of catheters, a catheter guide template adapted to guide the implantation of catheters, and a liquid supply system including a pressurizer and a manifold, is provided. A method of treatment of a malcondition in a patient comprises implantation of a spatially definted array of catheters using the system is also provided. The bioactive agent can be a radiotherapeutic agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, a protein, an antibody, an oligonucleotide-based therapeutic agent such as siRNA, or a combination of agents. A preferred radiotherapeutic agent is 123I- or 125I-IUDR, for example in the treatment of locally advanced tumors, such as glioblastoma multiforme.

Abstract: A catheter system adapted for navigating, guiding and implanting a catheter or a plurality of catheters in a spatially-defined implantation within the tissue of a patient is provided. The system can include a tissue navigation system and a probe to inform the navigation system to guide emplacement of the catheters within a target tissue. The probe can provide images, such as fiberoptic visual images, or ultrasound images, or can provide radiolocation data, to guide the catheter emplacement. The catheters supply a pressurized liquid including a bioactive agent, such as can be used in the treatment of cancer, for example 123I- or 125I-IUDR. The system and methods provided can be used in the treatment of locally advanced tumors, such as cancers of the brain, head or neck, esophagus, prostate, ovary, liver, pancreas, bladder or rectum.

Abstract: A filament comprising a biocompatible material and a bioactive agent, adapted for implantation within the tissue of a patient wherein the bioactive agent is released over a period of time, is provided. An array of a plurality of the filaments implanted within the tissue of a patient, an array assembler, and a matrix comprising a plurality of filaments and a base adapted for implantation within the tissue of a patient, are further provided. A method for treatment of a malcondition in a patient comprises implantation of a filament, an array of filaments, or a matrix. The bioactive agent can be a chemotherapeutic agent or a radiotherapeutic agent. A radiotherapeutic agent is 123I- or 125I-IUDR, for example in treatment of an advanced stage localized brain tumor such as glioblastoma multiforme.

Abstract: There is provided a floating surgical cannula. A method of forming a surgical cannula by inserting a floating surgical cannula at a location in need of surgery is provided.