Coupled annulus and catheter system for placement of biocompatible brain electrodes and like devices

A system for placement of DBS electrodes in an opening formed in a patient's skull, comprising:

• a catheter including a guide tube, the guide tube having a longitudinal axis and at least three guide elements extending along the longitudinal axis;
• each of the guide elements including a first end, a second end, a plurality of rotatably-connected segments extending between the first and second ends, and a plurality of joints connecting adjacent ones of the segments;
• the guide elements being configured to releasably fit together and collectively form a continuous lumen through the catheter, the lumen extending along the longitudinal axis of the guide tube and being dimensioned to receive a DBS electrode therein;
• the catheter being moveable between a first, united cylindrical configuration with each one of the guide elements of the guide tube being fully interconnected to the others of the guide elements, and a second, separated configuration with the guide elements being at least partially disengaged from each other;
• an annulus including a circumferential rim defining an interior circular space that is dimensioned to receive the catheter therethrough and a number of legs engaging the rim and extending outwardly therefrom, the annulus being configured to be secured in the skull opening;
• and
• a track mechanism connected to the annulus, the track mechanism including at least one toothed gear, and teeth protruding from each of the rotatably-connected segments of the guide elements and configured to operably engage teeth of the at least one toothed gear, whereby the annulus and catheter are operably coupled to each other, whereby lateral movement of the guide elements is limited by the at least one toothed gear, and axial movement into and out of the skull opening is carefully controlled.

A kit for the placement of DBS electrodes into an opening in a patient's skull, comprising:

• a catheter including a guide tube, the guide tube having a longitudinal axis and at least three guide elements extending along the longitudinal axis;
• each of the guide elements including a first end, a second end, a plurality of rotatably-connected segments extending between the first and second ends, and joints connecting adjacent ones of the segments;
• the guide elements being configured to releasably fit together and collectively form a continuous lumen through the catheter, the lumen extending along the longitudinal axis of the guide tube and being dimensioned to receive a DBS electrode therein;
• the catheter being moveable between a first, united cylindrical configuration with each one of the guide elements of the guide tube being fully interconnected to the others of the guide elements, and a second, separated configuration with the guide elements being at least partially disengaged from each other;
• an annulus including a circumferential rim defining an interior circular space that is dimensioned to receive the catheter therethrough and a number of legs engaging the rim and extending outwardly therefrom, the annulus being configured to be secured in the skull opening;
• a track mechanism connected to the annulus, the track mechanism including at least one toothed gear, and teeth protruding from each of the rotatably-connected segments of the guide elements and configured to operably engage teeth of the at least one toothed gear, whereby the annulus and catheter are operably coupled to each other;
• and
• a stylet that is configured to urge the guide elements in a distal direction for facilitating insertion of the catheter into the skull opening.