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: 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: Surgical apparatus is described that includes a surgical robot having a moveable arm for carrying a surgical tool. The apparatus also has x-ray imaging apparatus that includes at least one of an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The moveable arm of the surgical robot is configured to carry at least one of the x-ray source and the x-ray detector. In this manner, the surgical robot can be used to perform x-ray imaging to allow patient registration. Methods of using the apparatus are 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 comprises at least one intracranial catheter and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device comprises 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 skull mount (50;150;170;200;300) is described that is attachable to a hole (60) formed in the skull. The skull mount (50;150;170;200;300) comprises an alignment guide (62;152;172;216;306) defining an alignment axis (22;210;312) along which neurosurgical instruments can be passed. The skull mount, when attached to a hole in a skull, is arranged such that it does not substantially protrude from the outermost surface of the skull and does not extend into the brain parenchyma. Also described is a neurosurgical alignment instrument (30,206) for aligning such a skull mount (50;150;170;200;300) that comprises an elongate shaft (32) and an element (34,36) protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft (32) for engaging and aligning the alignment guide (62;152;172;216;306) of an associated skull mount (50;150;170;200;300).

Abstract: A neurosurgical catheter is described for insertion into the brain parenchyma of a subject. The catheter comprises a flexible tube and has a stiff, non-porous, tip comprising at least one fluid delivery aperture. The stiff tip of the catheter may be mechanically stiffer than the flexible tube. The stiff tip may be provided by a stiff tube attached to the distal end of the flexible tube. The stiff tube may comprise a ceramic (e.g fused silica) and/or a metal. A kit comprising the catheter and a guide tube is also described. Methods of catheter implantation are also outlined.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering therapeutic agents to the central nervous system of a subject is described. The apparatus comprises at least one intracranial catheter and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device comprises 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.