A system and method for intracranial access is disclosed. In particular, a drill stop is shown providing a way to control the penetration of a drill bit as an access hole into the brain is being formed. Access to a desired location is achieved using a catheter guide device. Also disclosed is a mechanism by which multiple diagnostic and treatment devices can be placed at a desired location in brain tissue without the need for more than one access hole. A drainage catheter is disclosed with a mechanism to allow both drainage and to allow intracranial pressure measurement.

Neurosurgical apparatus has a guidance device having a guide tube and a neurosurgical instrument for insertion into the guide tube. The inner surface of the guide tube is arranged, for example profiled, to at least partially engage the outer surface of the neurosurgical instrument when inserted therein. The guide tube thus guides the neurosurgical instrument along a predefined path through the guide tube. At least one of the guidance device and the outer surface of the neurosurgical instrument are configured to provide a fluid return path for carrying any fluid displaced from within the guide tube during insertion of the neurosurgical instrument into the guide tube. A seal may also be provided for sealing the fluid return path.

Navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the navigation system imports a planning method using patient specific preoperative images. The navigation system uses intraoperative imaging during the medical procedure to update the preoperative images and provides images of tracked surgical tools along the surgical path prepared from the preoperative images.

The disclosure provides a cranial access device that reduces or eliminates artifacts during imaging. The cranial access device includes a cranial bolt and a drive adapter. The cranial bolt includes a distal threaded portion, a proximal drive portion comprising a plurality of protrusions that form an external drive geometry, and a central passageway configured for receiving a neurosurgical tool. The drive adapter includes a distal end configured to receive and interface with the external drive geometry of the proximal drive portion, and a proximal end configured to receive a driver tool.

The present disclosure provides a bioresorbable foam closure device for trans-nasally closing an opening in a base of a skull. The closure device comprises a phase-separated polymer. The device includes a stem portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and a head portion at the distal end of the stem portion. The closure device is deformed from a free shape to a constricted shape, inserted through a nasal cavity and into the opening, and released to at least partially revert back to the free shape such that the stem portion fills the opening and the head portion abuts cranium and dura to secure the closure device in position and seal the opening.

An apparatus for fastening around a cranial burr hole includes a substantially flat core and a shell encapsulating a ring portion of the core. The shell defines an orifice substantially centered within the ring portion, and has a contoured lower surface to match the cranial curvature. Pliable arms of the core extend laterally from the ring portion, each being terminated by a fastener member. A central portion of a placement tool for the apparatus has a lower part configured to extend through the apparatus orifice, and an upper part from which first and second arms of the tool extend laterally. Each tool arm is terminated with a receptacle to hold a bone screw, and, when the tool central portion lower part extends through the apparatus orifice, each receptacle aligns with a corresponding fastener member, and lower openings of the receptacles are generally oriented along the contoured lower surface.

A system comprises a hand-held burr hole device insertion tool having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for simultaneous application of a normal force to two or more attachment points of a burr hole device component is disclosed.

A system for removing intracranial blood or thrombus including a probe having a supply channel and an aspiration channel, the aspiration channel having a distal end and a proximal end, the supply channel having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration channel having an opening at or adjacent its distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply channel and in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration channel, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply channel such that the spray pattern impinges on the interior wall surface of the aspiration channel, and an ultrasound device at or adjacent the opening of the aspiration channel, and configured to operate at a frequency of between about 1 kHz and about 20 MHz.

A system for aspirating thrombus and delivering an agent includes an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall, and an aspiration lumen having a proximal end, an open distal end, and an interior wall surface adjacent the open distal end, and at least one orifice at or adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen and located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the at least one orifice is configured to create a spray pattern that is caused to impinge on the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen such that the spray pattern upon impinging on the interior wall surface is caused to transform into at least a substantially distally-oriented flow capable of exiting the open distal end of the aspiration lumen.

A system for aspirating thrombus including an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen, and a mandrel having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a curve greater than 90°, and including a concave portion configured to engage a distal end of the aspiration catheter, wherein the orifice is translatable in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the aspiration catheter by traction applied on the mandrel.