Microelectrode-equipped subdural therapeutic agent delivery strip

Abstract

An apparatus for treating the brain, comprises a first fluid delivery device including a distal end sized and shaped for placement at a first target site between a dura mater and a pia mater of the brain, the first fluid delivery device including a first fluid lumen extending to a first outlet port in the distal end to deliver fluids to a first target location and a first microelectrode mounted within the distal end of the first fluid delivery device for movement between an insertion position in which a first distal tip of the first microelectrode is received within the first fluid delivery device and a deployed position in which the first microelectrode extends out of the first fluid delivery device with the first distal tip thereof penetrating the pia mater to a first electrode target position in the cerebral cortex.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for treating the brain, comprising:
 implanting a first fluid delivery device between a dura mater and pia mater of the brain, the first fluid delivery device including a first fluid lumen extending to a first outlet port in a distal end thereof; and   moving a first microelectrode from an insertion configuration in which a distal tip thereof is received within the first fluid delivery device to a deployed configuration in which the first microelectrode extends out of the first fluid delivery device to penetrate a first target position in the cerebral cortex.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the first fluid is supplied to the first outlet port when the brain activity detected at the first target position indicates that undesirable brain activity is imminent. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising the step of supplying a second fluid to the first outlet port via a second fluid lumen based on the brain activity detected at the first target position. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first fluid delivery device further includes a third fluid lumen extending to a second outlet port in a distal end thereof, the method further comprising:
 moving a second microelectrode from an insertion configuration in which a distal tip thereof is received within the first fluid delivery device to a deployed configuration in which the second microelectrode extends out of the first fluid delivery device to penetrate a second target position in the cerebral cortex; and   analyzing data from the second microelectrode corresponding to brain activity at the second target position; and   supplying a first fluid to a second target location via the second outlet port based on the brain activity detected at the second target position.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first fluid delivery device further includes a fourth fluid lumen extending to the second outlet port, the method comprising delivering a second fluid to the second outlet port based on the brain activity detected at the second target position. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first fluid delivery device further includes a fifth fluid lumen extending to a third outlet port in a distal end thereof, the method further comprising:
 moving a third microelectrode from an insertion configuration in which a distal tip thereof is received within the first fluid delivery device to a deployed configuration in which the third microelectrode extends out of the first fluid delivery device to penetrate a third target position in the cerebral cortex; and   analyzing data from the third microelectrode corresponding to brain activity at the third target position; and   supplying a first fluid to a third target location via the third outlet port based on the brain activity detected at the third target position.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first fluid delivery device further includes a sixth fluid lumen extending to the third outlet port, the method comprising delivering a second fluid to the third outlet port based on the brain activity detected at the third target position. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first fluid includes a therapeutic agent and the second fluid is one of artificial cerebrospinal fluid and saline. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first outlet port includes a perforated disk thereover to minimize foreign matter entering thereinto. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising directing fluid flow through the perforated disk to prevent clogging of the first outlet port. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 performing a craniotomy to access the interior of the skull; and   securing a first bridge laterally across first unremoved portions of the skull.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising securing a second bridge laterally across second unremoved portions of the skull, the second bridge being separated from the first bridge by a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein one of the first and second bridges is coupled to the first microelectrode, the method further comprising actuating an advancing mechanism between the first and second bridges to selectively move the first microelectrode from the insertion configuration to the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the advancing mechanism comprises a folded arm, the arm being straightened and retracted to advance distally and retract proximally a rod coupled to the first microelectrode. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising removing the first and second bridges and the advancing mechanism from the skull once the first microelectrode has been advanced to the first target position. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 implanting a second fluid delivery device between a dura mater and pia mater of the brain, the second fluid delivery device including a seventh fluid lumen extending to a fourth outlet port in a distal end of the second fluid delivery device;   moving a fourth microelectrode from an insertion configuration in which a distal tip thereof is received within the second fluid delivery device to a deployed configuration in which the fourth microelectrode extends out of the second fluid delivery device to penetrate a fourth target position in the cerebral cortex;   analyzing data from the fourth microelectrode corresponding to brain activity at the fourth target position; and   supplying a first fluid to a fourth target location via the fourth outlet port based on the brain activity detected at the fourth target position.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 analyzing data from the first microelectrode corresponding to brain activity at the first target position; and   supplying a first fluid to a first target location via the first outlet port based on the brain activity detected at the first target position.