Catheter anchor system and method

A system for intracranial delivery of therapeutic substances to a patient, the system comprising:

• an elongate catheter having a lumen and at least one drug delivery orifice in fluid communication with the lumen;
• an anchor formed of generally flexible, elastomeric material for mounting the catheter to the outer surface of the skull of the patient, the anchor having:
• a through hole for receiving the catheter,
• a channel, extending substantially from the through hole, into which a portion of the catheter may be inserted to retain the portion substantially parallel to the surface of the skull;
• at least one flange for engaging the outer surface of the skull;
• and
• at least one substantially rigid standoff mounted in the flange, the standoff having an opening for receiving a fastener to fasten the anchor to the skull;
• and
• an implantable therapeutic substance infusion device, the catheter being directly or indirectly connected with the implantable therapeutic substance infusion device for infusion of therapeutic substance from the implantable therapeutic substance infusion device through the lumen and orifice(s) of the catheter.

A catheter system for intracranial delivery of therapeutic substances to a patient, the system comprising:

• an elongate catheter having a lumen and at least one drug delivery orifice in fluid communication with the lumen;
• an anchor formed of generally flexible, elastomeric material for mounting the catheter to the outer surface of the skull of the patient, the anchor including:
• orienting means for slidably receiving the catheter and orienting the catheter relative to the parenchyma;
• means, generally adjacent the orienting means, for laterally receiving the catheter to retain a portion of the catheter substantially parallel to the surface of the skull;
• generally flexible skull-engaging means for engaging the outer surface of the skull;
• and
• substantially rigid means in the skull engaging means for receiving a fastener to fasten the anchor to the skull.

A method of implanting a catheter for intracranial delivery of therapeutic substances to a patient, the method comprising:

• forming a burr hole through the skull of the patient;
• inserting the catheter through the burr hole into the parenchyma or a ventricle;
• mounting an generally soft and pliable anchor on the catheter and moving the anchor along the catheter into engagement with the skull of a patient to retain the catheter in position, the anchor being formed of generally soft and pliable material and having at least one generally rigid standoff for receiving a screw or other fastener;
• inserting a fastener through the opening of the standoff to fasten the anchor to the skull;
• inserting a portion of the catheter laterally into a channel in the anchor to orient the portion of the catheter generally parallel to the surface of the skull;
• and
• infusing a therapeutic agent into the parenchyma or a ventricle for treatment of brain tissue.

A method of implanting a catheter for intracranial delivery of therapeutic substances to a patient, the method comprising:

• forming a burr hole through the skull of the patient;
• placing a generally soft and pliable anchor adjacent the burr hole with the burr hole overlapping a through hole in the anchor, the anchor being formed of generally soft and pliable material and having at least one generally rigid standoff for receiving a screw or other fastener;
• inserting the catheter through the through hole and burr hole into the parenchyma or a ventricle;
• inserting a fastener through the opening of the standoff to fasten the anchor to the skull;
• inserting a portion of the catheter laterally into a channel in the anchor to orient the portion of the catheter generally parallel to the surface of the skull;
• and
• infusing a therapeutic agent into the parenchyma or a ventricle for treatment of brain tissue.