Replaceable catheter system for physiological sensors, tissue stimulating electrodes and/or implantable fluid delivery systems

A replaceable catheter system comprising:

• a surgically implantable elongated tubular catheter holder having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter holder further having an enlarged open neck portion at its proximal end forming an entrance for the catheter holder that is easy to locate, and including a self-sealing pierceable barrier covering the enlarged open neck portion, said enlarged neck portion and self-sealing pierceable barrier;
• a replaceable catheter disposed within the catheter holder, the replaceable catheter having proximal end and a distal end oriented such that the distal end of the replaceable catheter extends beyond the distal end of the catheter holder;
• at least one electronic sensor connected to the distal end of the replaceable catheter;
• a first controlling means for operatively controlling the electronic sensor;
• and
• a signal coupling means for electrically coupling the first controlling means to the electronic sensor;
• whereby the sensor can be readily replaced by removing the replaceable catheter from the catheter holder, connecting one or more other electronic sensors to the distal end of the replaceable catheter, and inserting the replaceable catheter into the catheter holder.

A replaceable catheter system comprising:

• a surgically implantable elongated tubular catheter holder having a proximal end, a side opening, and a distal end, said catheter holder further having an enlarged open neck portion at its proximal end forming an entrance for the catheter holder that is easy to locate, and including a self-sealing pierceable barrier covering the enlarged open neck portion, said enlarged neck portion and self-sealing pierceable barrier;
• a replaceable catheter disposed within the catheter holder, the replaceable catheter having a proximal end and a distal end oriented such that the distal end of the replaceable catheter extends beyond the distal end of the catheter holder, the replaceable catheter further having a side opening aligned with the side opening of the catheter holder and a fluidic lumen communicating between the side opening of the replaceable catheter and the distal end of the replaceable catheter;
• a replaceable extension to the replaceable catheter connected to the distal end of the replaceable catheter and adapted for dispensing and receiving fluids;
• a fluid dispensing means for dispensing and receiving fluids to and from the replaceable catheter;
• an external controlling means for operatively controlling the fluid dispensing means;
• and
• a conduit means for passing fluids between the fluid dispensing means and the replaceable catheter in response to the signals from the external controlling means, the conduit means extending from the fluid dispensing means through the side opening of the catheter holder and to the side opening of the replaceable catheter, a distal end of the conduit means being in fluid communication with the side opening of the replaceable catheter;
• whereby the replaceable extension of the replaceable catheter can be readily replaced by removing the replaceable catheter from the catheter holder connecting a new replaceable extension to the distal end of the replaceable catheter, and inserting the replaceable catheter into the catheter holder.