A method of determining a local cerebrospinal fluid flow rate. The method including the steps of positioning a distal end of the catheter in a flow of cerebrospinal fluid of the patient, the catheter including an infusion port and at least one temperature sensor positioned at a fixed distance from the infusion port, infusing a bolus of a temperature controlled fluid through the infusion port into the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and monitoring a temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensor, wherein a change in the temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensor over time is representative of a local cerebrospinal fluid flow rate in proximity to the infusion port.

Fluid delivery systems and methods of delivering an agent and treating a disorder are disclosed that include a subcutaneously implantable port having a body defining a chamber with an open top and a delivery opening and a septum coupled to the body to extend over the open top of the chamber. The systems and methods can further include an intrathecal catheter having an proximal end configured to be coupled to the port and fluidly coupled to the delivery opening of the chamber and a plug having a body with a passage to receive the intrathecal catheter therethrough. The plug can be configured to be inserted into the fascia to protect against leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.

This application discloses methods and tools for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia and the use of retinal nerve fiber layer thinning as a biomarker for the treatment.

A control system and method for automatically adjusting the height of an external ventricular drain from a patient. The height of a pole supporting the bag into which the fluid is drained can be varied, increased or decreased, as driven by a motor. A drip chamber and collection bag that receive the fluid from the patient are attached to the height variable pole. An external fluid pressure tube is coupled to the patient at one end and to a pressure sensor at the other. The pressure sensor is coupled to the height variable pole. The system includes a feedback loop that adjusts the height of the external ventricular drain (EVD) to match the height of the patient's head. As the patient's head moves up or down, the variable height pole moves up and down a corresponding distance to maintain the patient's intracranial or intraspinal pressure, and therefore the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage rate, at a preset value.

A method for treatment of a brain and/or spinal cord includes inserting a flexible catheter into a cerebrospinal fluid space, the flexible catheter including two lumens adapted to allow a fluid to circulate therein in a closed loop within the flexible catheter and the flexible catheter being adapted to be connected to a device for cooling and circulating the fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebrospinal fluid space is cooled with the flexible catheter to enable selective central nervous system cooling. The functional status of the brain and/or spinal cord is monitored, and the treatment of the brain and/or spinal cord is modified to adjust for any change in the functional status of the brain and/or spinal cord.

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.

In some aspects, systems, devices, and techniques for programming a medical fluid delivery device are described. In one example, the disclosure relates to a system including a medical fluid delivery device configured to deliver a therapeutic agent to a patient, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive a proposed therapy dosing program that defines a fluid therapy for delivery to a patient via a medical fluid delivery device for a first period of time, determine a total dosage over a second period of time, where the second period of time at least partially overlaps the first period of time, and compare the total dosage over the second period of time to a reference dosage.

Described herein is the use of CSF, more particularly external CSF or CSF-like compositions for the treatment and prevention of different diseases. More particularly, the application provides for the administration of CSF to the intrathecal space or the cerebral ventricles of a patient to increase intracranial pressure and/or CSF flow.

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.

A method for treatment of a brain and/or spinal cord includes inserting a flexible catheter into a cerebrospinal fluid space, the flexible catheter including two lumens adapted to allow a fluid to circulate therein in a closed loop within the flexible catheter and the flexible catheter being adapted to be connected to a device for cooling and circulating the fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebrospinal fluid space is cooled with the flexible catheter to enable selective central nervous system cooling. The functional status of the brain and/or spinal cord is monitored, and the treatment of the brain and/or spinal cord is modified to adjust for any change in the functional status of the brain and/or spinal cord.