Methods and apparatus for improving cognitive function within a human. The invention utilizes an implanted device, such as an implantable signal generator or an implantable pump, to affect tissue elements within a Papez circuit of the human brain as well as tissue upstream or downstream from the Papez circuit. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to thereby improve cognitive function by the human. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of the cognitive disorder. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate delivery of the stimulation and/or drug therapy.

A device is configured to receive a catheter. The catheter may be a catheter of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or an external ventricular drain. The device includes (ii) an upper flange having an opening, and (ii) elongate body defining a lumen in communication with the opening. The catheter may be inserted through the opening and the lumen. The device includes an electrode disposed on the elongate body. When the device is implanted in a subject, the upper flange rests on a skull of the subject adjacent to a burr hole, the elongate body is inserted through the burr hole, and the electrode is positioned intracranially in the subject.

A catheter and method for managing fluid in a patient, the catheter having an elongated shaft with a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft defines at least one lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of drainage holes along a distal portion of the shaft, with the drainage holes in fluid communication with the lumen. The catheter further has a substantially transparent tip portion attached to the distal end of the shaft with an outer distal leading surface that is substantially rounded to assist insertion through tissue.

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).

Systems and methods for filtering materials from biologic fluids are discussed. Embodiments may be used to filter cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a human or animal subject. In an example, CSF is separated into a permeate and retentate using a tangential flow filter. The retentate is filtered again and then returned to the subject with the permeate. During operation of the system, various parameters may be modified, such as flow rate and waste rate.

The invention includes a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt and a method of operating it. The shunt includes: a ventricular catheter for transferring CSF from the ventricle of a brain of a patient; a pressure sensor communicated to the ventricular catheter to measure the pressure of the CSF as delivered to the pressure sensor; a temperature sensor communicated to the ventricular catheter to measure the temperature of the CSF as delivered to the temperature sensor; a wireless data transmitter to transmit the measured pressure and temperature to an attending physician; a nonprogrammable reporting valve or programmable valve communicated to the pressure sensor and temperature sensor to regulate flow of the CSF; and peritoneal tubing communicated to the programmable valve for delivering CSF to the peritoneal cavity.

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.

Drug delivery devices and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a drug can be delivered into a brain ventricle of a subject, where it can diffuse, flow, or otherwise travel across the ependyma and into the hippocampus. The drug can be delivered through a delivery device configured to selectively or transiently obstruct a portion of the ventricle, e.g., the temporal horn or a posterior portion of the temporal horn. The obstruction can define a partitioned volume of the ventricle, limiting or preventing flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into or out of the partitioned volume. Accordingly, a drug can be delivered into the partitioned volume without being diluted or carried away by CSF, allowing the drug to saturate the ependyma adjacent the hippocampus. The delivery device can allow a high concentration of drug to be achieved and/or maintained within the partitioned volume to enable maximal transependymal penetration to the hippocampus, while reducing the volume of drug needed to achieve a desired therapeutic effect and limiting delivery of the drug to non-targeted areas.

A method for controlling intraocular pressure in a patient’s eye is provided. The method includes creating an intraocular entry into the eye, selecting a location along an optical disc of the eye, creating a conduit connecting at least a portion of an intravitreal cavity with at least a portion of a subarachnoid space in the eye at the selected location, deploying at least one stent communicating between the intravitreal cavity and the subarachnoid space via the conduit, and equilibrating the intraocular pressure in the eye by allowing the stent to communicate fluid flow between the intraocular compartment and the subarachnoid space.

Apparatus and methods for accomplishing fluid drainage and localized cooling of the central nervous system broadly encompassing an intrathecal catheter assembly accomplishing drainage and cooling, and a console apparatus that may contain control, cooling, and drainage subsystems, and use thereof.