Ultrasonic-fiberoptic imaging ventricular catheter

A surgical apparatus, comprising:

• a) a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough;
• b) a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end and provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough, said stylet sized and adapted for selective disposal within said longitudinal bore of said catheter, said longitudinal bore of said stylet sized and adapted to selectively receive an ultrasonic imaging means and an optical imaging means;
• c) an ultrasonic imaging means sized and adapted for selective disposal within said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• and
• d) a fiberoptic imaging means sized and adapted for selective disposal within said longitudinal bore of said stylet.

A method of placing a catheter into the ventricular system, comprising the steps of:

• a) constructing an apparatus comprising:
• a) a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough;
• b) a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end and provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough, said stylet sized and adapted for selective disposal within said longitudinal bore and of said catheter;
• c) an ultrasonic imaging means disposed within said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• and
• d) a fiberoptic imaging means disposed within said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• b) creating an opening in the skull;
• c) introducing said catheter into the opening in the skull;
• d) obtaining an ultrasound image of the ventricular system so as to accurately aim the catheter;
• e) introducing the catheter into the ventricular system;
• f) obtaining a fiberoptic image of the ventricular system so as to accurately position the catheter;
• and
• g) positioning said catheter within the ventricular system.

A method of placing a catheter into the ventricular system, comprising the steps of:

• a) constructing a an apparatus comprising:
• a) a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough;
• b) a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end and provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough, said stylet sized and adapted for selective disposal within said longitudinal bore of said catheter, said longitudinal bore of said stylet sized and adapted to selectively receive an ultrasonic imaging means and an optical imaging means;
• c) an ultrasonic imaging means sized and adapted for selective disposal within said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• and
• d) a fiberoptic imaging means sized and adapted for selective disposal within said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• b) creating an opening in the skull;
• c) disposing said ultrasound imaging means in said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• d) disposing said stylet within said longitudinal bore of said catheter;
• e) introducing said catheter into the opening in the skull;
• f) obtaining an ultrasound image of the ventricular system so as to accurately aim the catheter;
• g) introducing the catheter into the ventricular system;
• h) removing said ultrasound imaging means from said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• i) introducing said fiberoptic imaging means into said longitudinal bore of said stylet;
• f) obtaining a fiberoptic image of the ventricular system so as to accurately position the catheter;
• and
• g) positioning said catheter within the ventricular system.