Adjustable Stepped Cannula
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorKrystof S. Bankiewicz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The use of stepped cannulas, wherein a step structure creates a backstop to reduce backflow along the cannula body, is known for convection enhanced delivery of agents to the brain and other structures within an animal. Described herein are novel and improved stepped cannula designs wherein the length of the cannula segment between the step and the dispensing outlet is variable and can be controllably adjusted inside the patient during delivery. This advantageously allows the operator to place the cannula step at the optimal position and deliver agents at one or more positions within the target structure.
Claims23
-16. (canceled)
A method of performing convection-enhanced delivery of a solution to a target structure within an animal, comprising the steps of:
- providing an adjustable stepped cannula comprising an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongated body, the adjustable stepped cannula including a telescoping element enclosed within the first lumen of the elongated body, a portion of the telescoping element is adapted to protrude from the distal end of the elongated body, wherein a length of the protruding portion of the telescoping element is adjustable by moving the telescoping element within the elongated body in a proximal direction or a distal direction, the telescoping element comprising a second lumen with an opening at a proximal end being connected to a supply of the solution and an opening at a distal end, a width of the telescoping element being less than that of the elongated body such that a step is formed around the protruding portion of the telescoping element;
- positioning the adjustable stepped cannula into a body of the animal with such positioning being assisted using external radiographic imaging;
- after positioning the adjustable stepped cannula into the body of the animal, moving the telescoping element within the elongated body to adjust the distance between the opening of the distal end of the telescoping element and the step, while maintaining the position of the step, such that the opening at the distal end of the telescoping element is positioned in a desired placement within the target structure, such positioning being assisted using the external radiographic imaging;
- and
- engaging the supply of the solution such that the solution flows into the proximal end of the second lumen of the telescoping element and exits the distal end of the second lumen of the telescoping element into the target structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.