Systems and methods for draining cerebrospinal fluid

An implant system for accessing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the subarachnoid space surrounding the spinal cord, comprising:

• an implant configured for insertion into a vertebral lamina and anchoring therein, the implant comprising a first body defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first body including an exterior surface including threads,
• the implant further comprising an extension that extends past the second end of the first body,
• the extension having a narrower diameter than the second end of the first body;
• a drill bit configured to create an opening in a bone of the vertebral lamina, the drill bit being configured to create the opening without advancing into the spinal cord;
• a needle removably coupled to the first body and extending past the second end of the first body,
• the first body being configured to be driven into the opening in a bone to place the implant into the bone, thereby securing the implant to the bone,
• the opening in the bone including a shelf at a distal end thereof including a hole therein,
• the first body being configured to be driven into the opening in the bone adjacent to the shelf such that the extension protrudes through the hole in the shelf of the bone,
• the extension having a length configured to protrude through the hole in the shelf of the bone without piercing a central nervous system tissue adjacent to the bone, and
• the first body being configured to be driven into the opening in the bone such that the needle pierces the tissue adjacent to the bone thereby placing an end of the needle into an anatomical cavity to drain fluid from the anatomical cavity through the needle;
• and
• a plug including:
• a second body,
• a mechanical stop coupled to the second body,
• a bore directed entirely through the second body, and
• a retainer having an opening, the second body configured to be received through the opening to secure the retainer to the second body,
• wherein the plug is configured to be inserted into an opening in a blood vessel so that a wall of the blood vessel is positioned between the mechanical stop and the retainer, and
• wherein the fluid from the anatomical cavity drains through the bore of the second body into the blood vessel.