Fluid management catheter and methods of using same

A method for managing fluid within a brain of a patient, comprising:

• selecting a catheter having an elongated shaft with a distal end and a proximal end, the shaft defining a shaft lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of drainage holes along a distal portion of the shaft, the shaft further defining a plurality of optically transparent inserts along a distal portion of the shaft, the drainage holes being in fluid communication with the shaft lumen, the catheter further having a substantially transparent tip portion attached to the distal end of the shaft with an outer distal leading surface that is substantially rounded to assist insertion through tissue;
• placing a distal end of a fiber-optic shaft into the shaft lumen of the catheter and against the tip portion to view, indirectly and substantially continuously through the Up portion, tissue within a selected ventricle;
• inserting the catheter through tissue in the brain to enter the selected ventricle;
• directing optical radiation from within the shaft through each of the plurality of optically transparent inserts;
• and
• visualizing through the tip portion of the catheter while positioning the tip portion within the selected ventricle;
• wherein the fiber optic shaft includes an irrigation lumen;
• irrigating fluid to at least a portion of an outer surface of the tip portion through an opening in the tip portion;
• withdrawing fluid from outside of said catheter through said plurality of drainage holes into the shaft lumen.