Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally provide protection for devices (e.g., microcatheters) having small tips. Methods and devices are also disclosed herein that generally facilitate use of commercially-available stereotactic systems with devices (e.g., microcatheters) having small tips.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow. In some embodiments, CED devices include a tissue-receiving space disposed proximal to a distal fluid outlet. Tissue can be compressed into or pinched/pinned by the tissue-receiving space as the device is inserted into a target region of a patient, thereby forming a seal that reduces or prevents proximal backflow of fluid ejected from the outlet beyond the tissue-receiving space. In some embodiments, CED devices include a bullet-shaped nose proximal to a distal fluid outlet. The bullet-shaped nose forms a good seal with surrounding tissue and helps reduce or prevent backflow of infused fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow. In some embodiments, CED devices include a tissue-receiving space disposed proximal to a distal fluid outlet. Tissue can be compressed into or pinched/pinned by the tissue-receiving space as the device is inserted into a target region of a patient, thereby forming a seal that reduces or prevents proximal backflow of fluid ejected from the outlet beyond the tissue-receiving space. In some embodiments, CED devices include a bullet-shaped nose proximal to a distal fluid outlet. The bullet-shaped nose forms a good seal with surrounding tissue and helps reduce or prevent backflow of infused fluid.

Abstract: The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein generally involve convection-enhanced delivery of drugs to a target region within a patient. Microfluidic catheter devices are disclosed that are particularly suitable for targeted delivery of drugs via convection, including devices capable of multi-directional drug delivery, devices that control fluid pressure and velocity using the venturi effect, and devices that include conformable balloons. Methods of treating various diseases using such devices are also disclosed, including methods of treating cerebral and spinal cavernous malformations, cavernomas, and hemangiomas, methods of treating neurological diseases, methods of treatment using multiple microfluidic delivery devices, methods of treating hearing disorders, methods of spinal drug delivery using microfluidic devices, and methods of delivering stem cells and therapeutics during fetal surgery. Methods of manufacturing such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein generally involve convection-enhanced delivery of drugs to a target region within a patient. Microfluidic catheter devices are disclosed that are particularly suitable for targeted delivery of drugs via convection, including devices capable of multi-directional drug delivery, devices that control fluid pressure and velocity using the venturi effect, and devices that include conformable balloons. Methods of treating various diseases using such devices are also disclosed, including methods of treating cerebral and spinal cavernous malformations, cavernomas, and hemangiomas, methods of treating neurological diseases, methods of treatment using multiple microfluidic delivery devices, methods of treating hearing disorders, methods of spinal drug delivery using microfluidic devices, and methods of delivering stem cells and therapeutics during fetal surgery. Methods of manufacturing such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein generally involve convection-enhanced delivery of drugs to a target region within a patient. Microfluidic catheter devices are disclosed that are particularly suitable for targeted delivery of drugs via convection, including devices capable of multi-directional drug delivery, devices that control fluid pressure and velocity using the venturi effect, and devices that include conformable balloons. Methods of treating various diseases using such devices are also disclosed, including methods of treating cerebral and spinal cavernous malformations, cavernomas, and hemangiomas, methods of treating neurological diseases, methods of treatment using multiple microfluidic delivery devices, methods of treating hearing disorders, methods of spinal drug delivery using microfluidic devices, and methods of delivering stem cells and therapeutics during fetal surgery. Methods of manufacturing such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inserting flexible, multi-lumen catheters into blood vessels, and in particular, for inserting flexible, split-tip catheters into blood vessels. The invention accomplishes these objects by temporarily stiffening each catheter lumen and tip independently through use of intra-catheter stiffener elements disposed within the catheter lumens. This provides means for advancing the catheter/stiffeners assembly through a subcutaneous tunnel, and over a plurality of guidewires until a distal tip of the catheter is at a desired position within the vessel. The intra-catheter stiffener elements are sufficiently stiffening to allow advancing the catheter over guidewires, but sufficiently flexible to allow bending and looping of the catheter for proper placement within the vessel.

Abstract: Splitable-tip catheters are disclosed with bioresorbable adhesive to provide spatial separation of distal tip elements during use. The invention can be particularly useful in hemodialysis applications where it is desirable to separate blood extraction and return lumens. The adhesive facilitates insertion of the distal end of the catheter as an assembly, e.g., into a blood vessel using a single guidewire, while the bioresorbable nature of the adhesive allows the tip elements to separate in vivo.

Abstract: Splitable-tip catheters are disclosed with bioresorbable adhesive to provide spatial separation of distal tip elements during use. The invention can be particularly useful in hemodialysis applications where it is desirable to separate blood extraction and return lumens. The adhesive facilitates insertion of the distal end of the catheter as an assembly, e.g., into a blood vessel using a single guidewire, while the bioresorbable nature of the adhesive allows the tip elements to separate in vivo.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inserting flexible, multi-lumen catheters into blood vessels, and in particular, for inserting flexible, split-tip catheters into blood vessels. The invention accomplishes these objects by temporarily stiffening each catheter lumen and tip independently through use of intra-catheter stiffener elements disposed within the catheter lumens. This provides means for advancing the catheter/stiffeners assembly through a subcutaneous tunnel, and over a plurality of guidewires until a distal tip of the catheter is at a desired position within the vessel. The intra-catheter stiffener elements are sufficiently stiffening to allow advancing the catheter over guidewires, but sufficiently flexible to allow bending and looping of the catheter for proper placement within the vessel.