Tactile sensing devices, systems, and methods to image a target tissue location are disclosed. When force is applied to the tactile sensing device, voltage data is detected and visualized on a screen, indicating the target tissue location.

An intraluminal system for aspirating biological material from a lumen of a patient includes a disposable intraluminal device having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The system includes a disposable pump configured to aspirate the biological material from the lumen of the patient. The disposable pump is coupled to the proximal portion of the intraluminal device. The disposable pump comprises a pump chassis that houses: an inlet port configured to sealably attach to the proximal portion of the intraluminal device; an outlet port configured to expel the aspirated biological from the pump; and a flow controller configured to adjust a fluid flow through the pump, wherein the pump chassis is sized and shaped to be manually supported by a user.

An expandable tissue dilator for dilating tissue around a spinal column includes a housing and a shaft at least partially positioned distally of the housing and adapted to pierce a tissue around the spinal column. An expandable member attached to the housing expands around a portion of the shaft to dilate the pierced tissue in a single-pass dilation resulting in a reduction of any traumatic impingement of nerves or muscle tissue and reduction in procedure time.

The present invention provides methods and systems for conditioning cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by removing target compounds from CSF. The systems provide for a catheter flow path and exchange of a majority volume portion of CSF in the CSF space. The removal and/or delivery of specific compounds can be tailored to the pathology of the specific disease. The removal is targeted and specific, for example, through the use of specific size-exclusion thresholds, antibodies against specific toxins, and other chromatographic techniques, as well as delivery and/or removal of targeted therapeutic agents.

A method for delivering drugs into cystic fluid, the method comprising injecting a drug delivery system (DDS) into a cystic fluid space at an injection site, the DDS comprising at least one therapeutic agent encapsulated in biodegradable polymers, applying ultrasonic energy proximal to the injection site, and controlling the at least one of buoyancy, delivery location, mixing, and dispersion of the DDS to a targeted area using the ultrasonic energy.

An approach is provided for delivering therapeutic materials to an intervertebral disc via a sub-ligamentous space. The approach includes positioning a tool at an interface of a longitudinal ligament and an outer surface of the intervertebral disc, in which the interface is the sub-ligamentous space. The tool may include a first needle and a second needle housed within the first needle. An insertion end of the first needle may include a shallow beveled end. The approach includes inserting the insertion end of the first needle into the sub-ligamentous space. The approach includes deploying the second needle from within the first needle into at least one of an annulus and a nucleus of the intervertebral disc. The approach includes delivering the therapeutic materials to the at least one of the annulus and the nucleus.

The present invention relates to an implantable ultrasound (US) generating device for implantation within the vertebral column of a vertebrate subject, wherein the implantable US generating device comprises at least one US generating transducer suitable for emitting US beam(s) with an oblique orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of a vertebral column.

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.

An apparatus is provided herein for dilating bodily tissue and for monitoring neural activity in the distracted bodily tissue. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a first dilator having a tubular body with a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode mounted about a circumference thereof; and, a second dilator having a tubular body of electrically-insulative material, the tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween sized to permit the second dilator to subsequently telescopically slide over the first dilator and come into overlapping coaxial alignment with the first dilator. A discrete window is formed through the tubular body, at or near the distal end, in communication with the lumen. With the second dilator being in overlapping coaxial alignment with the first dilator, the window is located to come into registration with at least one electrode such that, upon rotation of the second dilator relative to the first dilator, the window is positionally adjustable about the circumference of the first dilator. Advantageously, in addition to detecting the proximity of a nerve to the first dilator, the apparatus permits determination of the direction of the nerve from the first dilator. This facilitates more efficient re-positioning of the apparatus for avoidance of nerves, if a new path is necessary.

Systems, catheters, and methods for accessing and treating along the central nervous system are disclosed. A system for processing cerebrospinal fluid is disclosed. The system may include a catheter having a proximal subassembly and a distal subassembly. A pump and filtration system may be coupled to the catheter. An infusion lumen for infusing cerebrospinal fluid filtered by the pump and filtration system may be defined along the distal subassembly. The distal subassembly may define a plurality of infusion openings in fluid communication with the infusion lumen. The infusion openings may increase in size distally along the distal subassembly.