Cranial Evacuation System and Use Thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for removing solid matter from a brain and controlling bleeding associated with the removal of the matter. The method involves securing a cranial anchor to a region of the skull in which an opening has been created to expose brain matter and introducing through a passage defined by the anchor a channel member that displaces brain tissue and exposes the solid matter. After removing the solid matter, a flowable hemostat is introduced into the cavity created by removal of the matter. A balloon introduced into the working channel is then inflated to compress the hemostat against the wall of the cavity to control bleeding from blood vessels around the cavity. The device includes a cranial anchor, a channel member defining a working channel, an optional removable trocar, and a catheter for introducing the hemostat and the inflatable balloon into the cavity.

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A device for removing solid matter disposed within brain tissue of a subject and for controlling bleeding once the solid matter has been removed, the device comprising:
 (a) a cranial anchor defining an anchor passage running therethrough and adapted for securing to a skull of a subject;   (b) a channel member adapted for insertion through the anchor passage, wherein the channel member has a first end and a second end and defines a working channel passing through the channel member from the first end to the second end;   (c) an optional removable, solid trocar adapted to be introduced within the working channel of the channel member for displacing brain tissue and exposing the solid matter; and   (d) a catheter adapted to pass through the working channel optionally once the optional trocar has been removed and to introduce into the brain tissue surrounding the solid matter, once the solid matter has been removed, a flowable hemostat and an inflatable balloon.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the anchor passage of the anchor secured in step (a) has an internal diameter of between 5 mm and 50 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the anchor passage of the anchor has an internal diameter of between 10 mm and 30 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the anchor further comprises a flange dimensioned to overlap a region of the skull when the anchor is secured onto the skull adjacent an opening in the skull that exposes the brain tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the flange defines an aperture dimensioned to receive a bone screw. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the working channel has a length of from 2 cm to 15 cm. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the working channel has a length of from 5 cm to 10 cm. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the trocar has a convex brain tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the catheter is a dual lumen catheter that permits the introduction of the hemostat via a first lumen and the introduction of the inflatable balloon via a second lumen. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the catheter comprises an actuator that facilitates introduction of the inflatable balloon into the subject. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the catheter further comprises an actuator for inflating the balloon within the subject. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the catheter further comprises an actuator for introducing the hemostat into the subject.