The present invention provides methods and systems for conditioning cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by removing target compounds from CSF. The systems provide for a catheter flow path and exchange of a majority volume portion of CSF in the CSF space. The removal and/or delivery of specific compounds can be tailored to the pathology of the specific disease. The removal is targeted and specific, for example, through the use of specific size-exclusion thresholds, antibodies against specific toxins, and other chromatographic techniques, as well as delivery and/or removal of targeted therapeutic agents.

Filtering device for filtering cerebrospinal fluid are disclosed. An example filtering device may include a filter housing having an inlet for receiving cerebrospinal fluid from a patient and an outlet for returning filtered cerebrospinal fluid to the patient. The filter housing may include a plurality of layers coupled together and defining a fluid pathway therein between the inlet and the outlet. A filtering section may be defined within the filter housing along the fluid pathway. The filtering section may include a widened region of the fluid pathway that is configured to slow the passage of fluid therethrough.

The present invention relates to surgical or laparoscopic method of creating and maintaining an opening in the thoracic diaphragm of a patient. In said method, an incision in the thoracic diaphragm is created, thereby creating an opening in the thoracic diaphragm. Further a diaphragm passing part is placed in said opening created in the thoracic diaphragm, passing from the abdomen, through the thoracic diaphragm at the pericardial contacting section, into the pericardium; When placing the diaphragm passing part a force transferring part of the diaphragm passing part is placed in contact with the thoracic diaphragm, the force transferring part being adapted to, by motion of the force transferring part, transfer force between the abdominal side of the thoracic diaphragm and the thoracic side of the thoracic diaphragm or the pericardium while sliding against the thoracic diaphragm.

A minimally invasive system for monitoring and treating high intracranial pressure levels resulting from traumatic brain injury comprises an intravenous access device, an elongate member, a console, and an aspiration and injection catheter. The system is capable of monitoring pressure levels and relocating fluid from the brain to another part of the patient's body to sustain overall constant fluid volume. The method of using the minimally invasive system is also described.

A coated urinary catheter or urinary stent device includes a urinary catheter or stent which, in a deployed position, includes or defines a protective surface area and a protected surface area and a coating upon at least a portion of the protective surface area. The coating includes a lubricant and an antimicrobial and/or pH buffering material. The device is configured such that, upon application of negative pressure to the catheter or stent, tissue of a urinary tract of a patient conforms or collapses onto the protective surface area and is thereby prevented or inhibited from occluding one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations of the catheter or stent.

Devices and methods of treating fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure or other conditions resulting in edema, lymphoedema, or significant fluid retention (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis, venous stasis insufficiency, or damage to the lymphatic network) are described. Specifically, a treatment device is used to create a passage or cannula between the lymphatic system (or other area of the body) and an external drainage device. This device can be only temporarily located in the patient or can be implanted within the patient for longer periods of time. The physician can safely and reliably remove excess fluid from the body via the device and optionally inject other treatment agents.

Drainage tube for use in wound drainage, in particular in deep drainage, having a drainage lumen surrounded by a tube jacket and extending parallel to the tube axis, the tube jacket having at least one perforation which, starting at an outer boundary area of tube jacket, extends in a transverse direction, in particular approximately perpendicular to the tube axis, and opens out into the drainage lumen.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other fluid amelioration systems completely or partially implantable within a mammalian subject and associated methods include a substrate and an agent for amelioration of a toxic biomolecule present in the CSF or fluid, wherein the agent is disposed on or within the substrate.

A pyelo-ureteral stent is provided that combines the benefits of a stent having a lumen with the benefits of a lumen-less stent. In one example, the stent may be implanted in a patient for use during and after a pyeloplasty procedure. The provided stent includes a flexible tube having two separate lumens. Each lumen terminates prior to the stent's closed distal end, which enables a lumen-less ureteric limb at the stent's closed distal end. The lumen-less ureteric limb may have a smaller diameter than the rest of the stent, and may be positioned in a patient's ureter to bridge the pyeloplasty repair, thereby providing the benefits of a lumen-less stent. The flexible tube may be formed with at least one perforated coil for the drainage of urine and/or blood. The stent may be removed from the patient without the use of a cystoscopic procedure.

Systems, catheters, and methods for accessing and treating along the central nervous system are disclosed. A system for processing cerebrospinal fluid is disclosed. The system may include a catheter having a proximal subassembly and a distal subassembly. A pump and filtration system may be coupled to the catheter. An infusion lumen for infusing cerebrospinal fluid filtered by the pump and filtration system may be defined along the distal subassembly. The distal subassembly may define a plurality of infusion openings in fluid communication with the infusion lumen. The infusion openings may increase in size distally along the distal subassembly.