Catheter and guide tube for intracerebral application

Abstract

A catheter for use in neurosurgery, and a method of positioning neurosurgical apparatus. The catheter has a fine tube arranged for insertion into the brain parenchyma of a patient with an external diameter of not more than 1.0 mm. The catheter and method may be used in stereotactically targeting treatment of abnormalities of brain function, and for the infusion of therapeutic agents directly into the brain parenchyma. This is advantageous when a therapeutic agent would have widespread unwanted effects which could be avoided by confining the delivery to the malfunctioning or damaged brain tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for delivering a therapeutic agent to a desired target in the brain of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a neurosurgical catheter device comprising:
 a first section of tube having an external diameter of not more than 1.0 mm and configured with a single port at a distal end of the first section of tube and configured such that the therapeutic agent can exit the first section of tube only through the single port; and 
 a second section of tube having an external diameter greater than the first section of tube; 
   inserting the catheter device directly into brain tissue of the patient via a hole in a skull of the patient, such that the distal end of the first section of tube extends from a distal end of the second section of tube; and   transmitting the therapeutic agent through the single port of the first section of tube to the desired target.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurosurgical device is configured such that a step in an external diameter of the device occurs between the first section of tube and the second section of tube. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the method includes inserting the distal end of the first section of tube and the distal end of the second section of tube into the brain parenchyma of the patient. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurosurgical device is provided with a head that is disposed at a proximal end of the second section of tube and the head is externally attached to the skull of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurosurgical device is provided such that the first section of tube is configured to be inserted through the second section of tube. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurosurgical device is provided such that the first section of tube has an external diameter of not more than 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurosurgical device is less than 100 mm in length. 
     
     
         8 . A method for delivering a therapeutic agent to a desired target in the brain of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a neurosurgical catheter device comprising:
 a first section of tube having an external diameter of not more than 1.0 mm and configured with a single port at a distal end of the first section of tube and configured such that the therapeutic agent can exit the first section of tube only through the single port; and 
 a second section of tube having an externaldiameter greater than the first section of tube; 
   providing a pump connected to the neurosurgical catheter device, the pump configured to intermittently pump the therapeutic agent;   inserting the catheter device directly into brain tissue of the patient via a hole in a skull of the patient, such that the distal end of the first section of tube extends from a distal end of the second section of tube; and   intermittently pumping the therapeutic agent through the single port of the first section of tube to the desired target.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the pump is provided with a reservoir storing the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a neurotrophic factor. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the neurotrophic factor comprises recombinant-methionyl human glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (r-met Hu GDNF). 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the neurotrophic factor has effectiveness in treating at least one of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke or a brain injury. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the storing a therapeutic agent comprises, a cytotoxic agent. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the storing a therapeutic agent comprises at least one of a Gammo-amino-buturic-acid, an opiate or an analgesic. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the pump is configured to pump the therapeutic agent through the neurosurgical catheter at a flow rate of between 2 and 8 micro-litres per hour. 
     
     
         16 . A. method according to  claim 8 , wherein the pump is an implantable pump. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 1 , the therapeutic agent is transmitted intermittently through the single port of the first section of tube.