Systems and methods for systems and methods for focal cooling of the brain and spinal cord are disclosed. Some embodiments may be directed to a neuroprotection system that includes a cerebrospinal fluid processing platform. Embodiments may provide rapid and selective spinal cord hypothermia and drainage. Embodiments may be tailored to selective spinal cord cooling, pressure monitoring and automated drainage. Embodiments may enable local hypothermic neuroprotection, limit the stress of systemic cooling, minimize secondary neuronal damage and achieve maximal neuroprotection while at the same time improving workflow as a result of automated drainage. Embodiments may to include a multi-lumen catheter, a drainage collection reservoir bag, a pump to circulate coolant, sensor hardware and controllers to modulate the flow of a heat transfer fluid for cooling to modulate therapeutic hypothermia and re-warming. Certain embodiments may include extracorporeal cooling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Certain embodiments may include circulating heat transfer fluid within a CSF-containing space near the brain or spinal cord using a catheter. Particular methods may be used to determine the length and amount of cooling.

An apparatus for measuring pressure of fluid in a shunt includes a distensible member arranged adjacent to a graduated scale. The shunt includes a shunt valve and the apparatus is attachable to, or incorporated into the shunt at a location either at the shunt valve or upstream of the shunt valve. Both the distensible member and the scale include radiopaque markers. The fluid in the shunt acts directly on the distensible member and the distensible member is distensible in the direction of the scale.

A transcranial fastening device (1) for a drainage catheter (3), comprising an external body (5) being equipped with a passage (P), the passage (P) being equipped with blocking means (9) of the drainage catheter (3) adapted to allow a sliding of the drainage catheter (3) through the passage (P) along a first movement direction (M1) and to prevent a sliding of the drainage catheter (3) through the passage (P) along a second movement direction (M2).

A hydrocephalus shunt arrangement for draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a patient includes a ventricle catheter, a first drainage line, a control valve, a second drainage line, and an intracranial device. The ventricle catheter is inserted into a ventricle space of the brain of a patient. The first drainage line is connected to the ventricle catheter. The control valve is connected to the first drainage line and controls the drainage of CSF from the cranium of the patient through the second drainage line into a drainage area inside an abdominal cavity of the patient. The intracranial device is implanted under the skin of the patient in or at the cranium and connected to the ventricle catheter or the control valve. The intracranial device includes a corrugated metal membrane covering a chamber disposed within a rigid housing. The control valve produces a desired, controlled, drainage of excess CSF.

Systems and methods for positioning an intracranial device are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention encompass devices configured for implantation within the body that include elements responsible for detecting and transmitting electrical activity from the surrounding tissues and fluids. The system may include associated hardware and software designed for transmitting, processing, analyzing, and displaying relevant aspects of detected electrical activity. This information can be used throughout or following an insertion procedure to optimize or confirm device position within a particular intracranial location or tissue compartment.

A filtering device for removing particles from a fluid of a patient is provided. The filtering device being implantable in the patient's body and comprising a cassette comprising a revolving member, said revolving member having at least two segments each holding a respective filter. The device further comprises a tube forming a fluid passageway through one of the filters in said cassette, wherein the cassette is adapted to, upon revolution of the revolving cylinder, change the filter positioned in the fluid passageway from a first one of said filters to a second one of said filters, thereby allowing particles present on the first filter to be moved away from the fluid passageway, while at the same time changing the filter positioned in the fluid passageway.

Drainage devices and microactuator systems adapted to be incorporated into drainage devices to provide a self-clearing capability for reducing obstructions in the drainage devices and/or a self-monitoring capability to confirm the overall operating condition of the drainage devices and their microactuators. Such a microactuator system includes a microactuator having a base, a cantilever comprising a flexure extending from the base and a plate structure at a distal end of the flexure, a sensing element on the flexure for sensing deflection of the cantilever, and a device for inducing an oscillating deflection of the cantilever relative to the base.

Drug delivery systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to deliver a drug to a patient in coordination with a physiological parameter of the patient (e.g., the patient's natural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation or the patient's heart or respiration rate). In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to use a combination of infusion and aspiration to control delivery of a drug to a patient. Catheters, controllers, and other components for use in the above systems are also disclosed, as are various methods of using such systems.

A device and system for flushing a shunt catheter utilizes the available cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flush a blocked catheter. The CSF is pressurized to a predetermined amount and then allowed to suddenly, rapidly and forcefully purge any occlusions. The rapid release of CSF produces flow jets from the catheter pores into the ventricle. This impulse, or cough, will push and divert choroid plexus and/or other blockages away from the pores. The device and system may then be allowed to refill at a slow rate, thus reducing the possibility of rapid suction of fluid back into the system and the attendant possibility of drawing the choroid plexus back into the pores. The catheter at the proximal end may also include back-up pores that can be opened to restart flow from the ventricle should the primary pores remain blocked after a flushing attempt.

Systems and methods for treating biologic fluids are disclosed. Some disclosed embodiments may be used to filter cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a human or animal subject, heat CSF to a target temperature, cool CSF to a target temperature, apply light treatment to CSF, separate cells via their dielectric properties, apply spiral and/or centrifugal separation, introduce additives to target particles, and/or apply combinations thereof. The method may include the steps of withdrawing fluid comprising CSF, treating the fluid, and returning a portion of the treated fluid to the subject. During operation of the system, various parameters may be modified, such as flow rate.