A method of preparing a syringe in connection with a therapeutic treatment is disclosed. The method can include removing a plunger of the syringe from a barrel of the syringe, aligning the barrel in a horizontal orientation, filling a lumen of the barrel with a viscous material through an opening at a proximal end of the barrel, and inserting a plunger tip into the lumen to seal the lumen. The method can also include attaching an implantation device to a hub coupled to the barrel at a distal end of the barrel. The method can also include depressing the plunger until the cell suspension fills the implantation device and a droplet of the cell suspension is expelled from a distal tip of the implantation device.

The disclosure includes a catheter comprising a proximal end, a distal end located opposite the proximal end, an outer surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and an inner surface located opposite the outer surface, wherein the inner surface is configured to also extend between the proximal end and the distal end. In some embodiments, each of the outer and inner surfaces is coated in a hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating may be configured to reduce surface tension and increase the lubricity of the catheter.

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.

Described are methods, systems, devices for facilitation of intraluminal medical procedures within the neurovasculature. A catheter advancement device includes a flexible elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a single lumen extending therebetween. The flexible elongate body has a proximal segment, an intermediate segment, and a tip segment. The proximal segment includes a hypotube coated with a polymer. The intermediate segment includes an unreinforced polymer having a durometer of no more than 72D. The tip segment is formed of a polymer different from the intermediate segment and has a durometer of no more than about 35D and a length of at least 5 cm. The tip segment has a tapered portion that tapers distally from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter over a length of between 1 and 3

This invention described a method of, and device for increasing human ability for idea generation and insight related tasks. “Thinking outside the box” is difficult and often requires a qualitatively different perception of the task at hand. One aspect of the invention is a method for facilitating such pursuits by applying electrical stimulation at selected brain areas before or during an idea generation or insight related task. One aspect of our method is to temporarily enable a person to perceive insight related tasks in a way that is less influenced by past expectations and more open to novel representations. In one embodiment, this is achieved by suppressing the left anterior temporal lobe and/or facilitating the right anterior temporal lobe with non-invasive electrical stimulation.

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.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow. In some embodiments, CED devices include a tissue-receiving space disposed proximal to a distal fluid outlet. Tissue can be compressed into or pinched/pinned by the tissue-receiving space as the device is inserted into a target region of a patient, thereby forming a seal that reduces or prevents proximal backflow of fluid ejected from the outlet beyond the tissue-receiving space. In some embodiments, CED devices include a bullet-shaped nose proximal to a distal fluid outlet. The bullet-shaped nose forms a good seal with surrounding tissue and helps reduce or prevent backflow of infused fluid.

An apparatus comprises a data processing unit and a stimulator. The data processing unit receives first electroencephalographic data based on a measurement of a brain of a person exposed to one or more estimated or measured non-zero amounts of anesthetic drug substance. The data processing unit performs a first comparison between the first electroencephalographic data and corresponding data of a reference brain function, and outputs information about the first comparison. The stimulator provides the brain of the person exposed to the anesthetic drug substance with brain stimulation on the basis of a direct or indirect reception of the information about the first comparison.

An aspiration system for aspirating blood clots from a human body has a power source, an aspiration pump, and an electrical motor coupled to the power source and the aspiration pump, wherein the aspiration pump is pulsed at a frequency below 10 Hz.

Release of a neurological drug in a targeted region of a subject's brain by a drug delivery system (DDS) is intentionally caused by the subject watching or interacting with an audio/video-based task on an electronic display. The DDS is calibrated to release the neurological drug based on a particular pH, lactate level, blood flow, temperature, magnetic field, specific molecules released by brain cells, or other physiological factors within the target region. The interactive task produces the physiological factors in the brain in specific areas of pathology for which the drug is prescribed, and limits drug delivery at areas unaffected by illness where it could disrupt normal function, causing problematic side effects and preventing dose levels optimal for target impact. Feedback from the interactive task and associated cognitive probes also can adapt the interactive task or suggest new pharmacologic agents as the degree or primary focus of brain pathology changes during the course of treatment.