Apparatus for Applying Therapy to a Neurovascular Bundle
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsKip Ludwig, James Trevathan, Rex Chin-Hao Chen, Ricardo Sanchez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A probe useful for introducing therapeutic materials between the neural sheath and contained neurovascular tissue provides a near field imaging device permitting final positioning of the probe to be conducted with submillimeter accuracy and a vacuum channel allowing the probe to be attached to the neural sheath to withdraw it and provide a defect through which therapeutic agents can be introduced.
Claims18
An apparatus for delivering therapy through a neural sheath comprising:
- a probe adapted for percutaneous insertion of a distal end into a patient along an axis, the probe supporting:
- a near field sensor having a sensor end positioned proximate to the distal end of the probe, the near field sensor distinguishing tissue types and distances with submillimeter resolution forward along the axis;
- and
- a vacuum channel proximate to the distal end of the probe communicating with a vacuum system adapted to create a negative pressure for manipulating the neural sheath for a delivery of therapeutic material through a defect therein.
A method for delivering therapy through a neural sheath using a probe adapted for percutaneous insertion of a distal end into a patient along an axis, the probe supporting:
- a near field sensor having a sensor end positioned proximate to the distal end of the probe, the near field sensor distinguishing tissue types and distances with submillimeter resolution forward along the axis;
- and a vacuum channel proximate to the distal end of the probe communicating with a vacuum system adapted to create a negative pressure for producing a defect in the neural sheath for the delivery of therapeutic material therethrough, the method comprising:
- (a) inserting the distal end of the probe through the tissue of the patient while monitoring output of the near field sensor to position the distal tip at the neural sheath;
- (b) generating the negative pressure at the vacuum channel to manipulate the neural sheath for the introduction of therapeutic materials;
- and
- (c) introducing therapeutic materials through a defect in the neural sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.