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.

The dilator catheter accepts at least one or more medical components such as electrically conductive leads, wires, or catheter for a medical device and/or procedure. The dilator catheter provides an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve inserts into an opening of the outer sleeve. The opening of the outer sleeve is sized such that the inner sleeve will contact the outer sleeve to secure the inner sleeve within the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve and the outer sleeve provide an opening that extends throughout the dilator catheter. The user places the distal end of the dilator catheter at the desired location for introducing the medical component. The user then removes the inner sleeve to enlarge the opening. The user then directs the medical component(s) through the opening to the distal end of the dilator catheter for proper placement of the medical component(s).

An apparatus for locating and accessing an epidural space within a patient. The apparatus includes a handle having a top end and a bottom end. A handle channel is formed through the handle running from the top end to the bottom end. A proximal end of a hollow needle extends from the bottom end of the handle and aligns with the handle channel. A distal end of the hollow needle is sharp and pointed. An obturator is disposed within the hollow needle and the handle channel. A distal end of the obturator is rounded and blunt and extends from the distal end of the hollow needle. A proximal end of the obturator extends beyond the handle channel at the top end of the handle.

Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.

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.

A method of delivering a drug to a patient using a therapy specific, pre-programmed auto-injection device includes positioning the hand-held device proximate to an infusion and aspiration location of the patient, and receiving, at a controller disposed within the housing, an infusion and aspiration profile. The infusion and aspiration profile including an infusion and aspiration protocol for controlling at least one of a plurality of syringes partially disposed within the housing. The method also includes operating at least one actuator coupled to the plurality of syringes according to the infusion and aspiration protocol, causing the syringes to expel a fluid from a respective barrel of the plurality of syringe into the infusion and aspiration location or causing the syringes to draw a fluid from the infusion and aspiration location into a respective barrel of the plurality of syringes.

A therapy specific, pre-programmed, hand-held auto-injection device for delivering a drug to a patient includes a housing, a plurality of syringes carried by the housing, at least one actuator disposed within the housing coupled to the plurality of syringes, and a controller disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator. The controller is configured to receive an infusion and aspiration profile, which includes an infusion and aspiration protocol for controlling at least one of the plurality of syringes. The controller is also configured to operate the at least one actuator based on the infusion and aspiration protocol by either expelling a fluid from a respective barrel of the plurality of syringes into the infusion and aspiration location or drawing a fluid from the infusion and aspiration location into a respectively barrel of the plurality of syringes.

A stimulator lead is herein disclosed. The stimulator lead includes a proximal portion that is configured for placement external the epidural space through a first opening, wherein said proximal portion is operatively connected to an IPG unit, a distal portion that is configured for placement external the epidural space through a second opening, and a third portion between the proximal and distal portions that is configured for percutaneous placement in an epidural space, wherein said middle portion includes at least one stimulator electrode for placement adjacent to target dura.

A medical apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used for dissociating adhesion to an epidural space and alleviating stenosis to a spinal canal; and comprises: an insertion part including a first end configured to be inserted into a human body and a second end opposite to the first end, and having a first through hole extended from the first end to the second end and formed inside the insertion part, an expansion part configured to be expendable and formed on the outer surface of the insertion part at a predetermined distance apart from the first end of the insertion part, a pair of wires extending in the insertion part and fixed to the region of the first end of the insertion part, a main body, a dial installed to the main body, and a rotation control part coupled to the dial.

A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a catheter line for pain pump drug delivery.