Catheter curvature braces and methods of using same

A fluid management catheter assembly suitable for implantation into a ventricle in a brain of a patient, comprising:

• a catheter with an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the shaft defining at least one lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of fluid management openings along a distal portion of the shaft, the fluid management openings being in fluid communication with the lumen;
• and
• a catheter curvature brace attached to the distal portion of the shaft, the brace having an elongated frame with a distal end and a proximal end, the frame being formed with at least one curve in a relaxed curved configuration, and at least two coupling elements connected to the frame, each coupling element configured to engage an outer surface of the catheter;
• and
• at least the frame being formed of an elastic, biocompatible material capable of being straightened by a force and then returning to the relaxed curved configuration after the force is removed, thereby bending the catheter to substantially conform to the relaxed curved configuration.

A fluid management kit, comprising:

• a catheter with an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the shaft defining at least one lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of fluid management openings along a distal portion of the shaft, the fluid management openings being in fluid communication with the lumen;
• and
• at least first and second catheter curvature braces attachable to the distal portion of the shaft, each brace having an elongated frame with a distal end and a proximal end, the frame being formed with at least one curve in a relaxed curved configuration, at least two coupling elements connected to the frame, each coupling element configured to engage an outer surface of the catheter, and at least the frame being formed of an elastic, biocompatible material capable of being straightened by a force and then returning to the relaxed curved configuration after the force is removed, thereby bending the catheter to substantially conform to the relaxed curved configuration;
• and
• wherein the at least one curve of the first catheter brace is different from the at least one curve of the second brace.

A method for managing fluid within a patient, comprising:

• selecting a catheter with an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the shaft defining at least one lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of fluid management openings along a distal portion of the shaft, the fluid management openings being in fluid communication with the lumen;
• selecting a catheter curvature brace attachable to the distal portion of the shaft, the brace having an elongated frame with a distal end and a proximal end, the frame being formed with at least one curve in a desired relaxed curved configuration, at least two coupling elements connected to the frame, each coupling element configured to engage an outer surface of the catheter, and at least the frame being formed of an elastic, biocompatible material capable of being straightened by a force and then returning to the desired relaxed curved configuration after the force is removed;
• attaching the catheter brace to the distal portion of the catheter to form a catheter assembly and bend the distal portion of the catheter to substantially conform to the desired relaxed curved configuration;
• placing a stylet within the catheter lumen to apply the force to straighten the catheter assembly;
• inserting the catheter assembly within the patient to implant the distal portion in a targeted location;
• and
• removing the stylet to allow the distal portion of the catheter to substantially conform to the desired relaxed curved configuration.