An implant system can include a body defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body can include an exterior surface including threads. The implant system can include a needle coupled to the body and extending past the second end of the body. The body can be configured to be driven into an opening in a bone to place the implant into the bone, thereby securing the implant to the bone. The body can be configured to be driven into the opening in the bone such that the needle pierces a tissue adjacent to the bone, thereby placing an end of the needle into an anatomical cavity.

In some aspects, catheter devices can include: a reinforcing member having a proximal and distal ends, the reinforcing member comprising: discrete longitudinally arranged structural regions between the proximal and distal ends comprising: a first, proximal, structural region defining a first series of wall perforations that generate structural properties within the first structural region, the first series of wall perforations setting a first stiffness of the first structural region; and a second structural region, disposed distally relative to the first structural region, defining a second series of wall perforations that generate structural properties within the second structural region, the second series of wall perforations setting a second stiffness of the second structural region, which is less than the first stiffness, wherein the second series of wall perforations differs from the first series of wall perforations by at least one of: cut balance, cut frequency, or pitch.

Body fluid management systems and associated methods for withdrawal and subsequent re-infusion of body fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid, can be used for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes.

An implant system is provided for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via a CSF containing space of a subject to a dural venous sinus (DVS) of the subject without penetration of gray matter of a brain of the subject. The implant system includes a first element for providing access to the CSF located in the CSF containing space, a second element for providing access to the DVS, and a third connecting element fluidly coupled to the first element and to the second elements and arranged to carry the CSF from the first element to the second element.

Apparatus for shunting cerebrospinal fluid comprising either a sleeved ventricular catheter and/or an artificial dural sac (ADS). The sleeved ventricular catheter comprises an inner catheter and an outer catheter that circumscribes and is spaced apart from at least a portion of the inner catheter to form a gap. The inner catheter comprises a plurality of apertures through which CSF may enter the inner catheter. The ADS comprises a flexible wall defining a volume where CSF accumulates. The ADS is coupled to the ventricular catheter via an ADS catheter and a Y-connector. The ADS is adapted to be placed in an abdomen such that abdominal movement, diaphragmatic movement, or a decrease in intracranial pressure causes CSF to flow from the ADS through the ventricular catheter and into a ventricle in the brain.

Ventricular catheters and other embodiments are provided. The catheter for shunting fluid includes a tip end, a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion is between and in fluid communication with the tip end and the second portion. The first portion is configured to have a tapered shape. The first portion includes multiple rows of holes.

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.

Systems, catheters, and methods for accessing and treating along the central nervous system are disclosed. An example system may include a system for ameliorating a symptom of bacterial meningitis in a patient. The system may include a catheter assembly having a first lumen with a distal port and a second lumen with a proximal port, said catheter being adapted to be introduced in a CSF space and said ports being spaced axially apart. A pump may be connectable between the first and second lumens to induce a flow of CSF therebetween. A filter component may be connectable between the first and second lumens. The filter component may be configured to remove one or more meningitis causing bacterial pathogen from the CSF, to thereby condition the cerebrospinal fluid.

An apparatus for minimally-invasive, including non-invasive, prevention and/or treatment of hydrocephalus and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a housing is sized for superjacent contact with a skull having a fontanel. Within the housing, a compartment includes a pressure applicator, such as a fluid-filled bladder, under the control of a pressure regulator. The pressure applicator is configured to selectively apply an external pressure to the fontanel. The compartment includes a pressure sensor configured to measure intracranial pulse pressure of the fontanel. Further, in one embodiment, the apparatus can cause pulse pressure modulation by adjusting the intracranial pulse pressure via the pressure applicator. This enables a non-invasive measurement of the pulse pressure and modulation thereof in infants, for example.

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. The method may include the steps of withdrawing fluid comprising CSF, filtering the volume into permeate and retentate by passing the fluid through a tangential flow filter, and returning the permeate to the subject. During operation of the system, various parameters may be modified, such as flow rate.