Implantable intraventricular sampling and infusion access device

Abstract

In some embodiments, a device may include an intraventricular access device and an infusion device. The intraventricular access device may include more than one catheter and a container. In some embodiments, the catheter may include an aspiration lumen and an infusion lumen. A distal end of the intraventricular portion of the catheter may be positionable, during use, in a subject's brain fluid. In some embodiments, the container may be coupled to a proximal end of the aspiration lumen. The proximal end of the aspiration lumen may be in fluid communication with the container. The proximal end of the infusion lumen may be in communication with an infusion pump. In some embodiments, the device inhibits cross contamination between a first fluid in the aspiration lumen and a second fluid in the infusion lumen. In some embodiments, the container may include a barrier positioned between a proximal opening of the aspiration lumen and at least a portion of the infusion lumen adjacent to and/or associated with the container. The barrier may inhibit penetration of a surgical instrument.

1 . An intraventricular access device, comprising:
 a catheter including an aspiration lumen and an infusion lumen, wherein a distal end of the catheter is positionable, during use, in a subject's brain fluid; and   a container coupled to a proximal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the proximal end of the aspiration lumen is in fluid communication with the container;   wherein a proximal end of the infusion lumen is coupled, during use, to an external or implantable pump.   
     
     
         2 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the infusion lumen is positioned in the aspiration lumen or at least a portion of the aspiration lumen is positioned in the infusion lumen. 
     
     
         3 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein the aspiration lumen and the infusion lumen comprise two different lumens positioned adjacent and coupled to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein the aspiration lumen and the infusion lumen are different lengths and have different tip locations when positioned, during use, in the subject's brain fluid such that a distal end of the aspiration lumen and a distal end of the infusion lumen are positioned a distance away from one another. 
     
     
         5 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the aspiration lumen comprises a first opening and a distal end of the infusion lumen comprises a second opening, and wherein the first opening and the second opening are directed in a substantially opposing directions to inhibit cross contamination of fluids. 
     
     
         6 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the aspiration lumen and/or the infusion lumen comprises at least one opening which is inhibited from opening except when pressure is applied to the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the aspiration lumen and/or the infusion lumen comprises a plurality of openings which are inhibited from opening except when pressure is applied to the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the container is formed from material that is penetrable by a needle and substantially reseals after extraction of the needle. 
     
     
         9 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a barrier positioned between a proximal opening of the aspiration lumen and at least a portion of the infusion lumen adjacent to and/or associated with the container. 
     
     
         10 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a barrier positioned between a proximal opening of the aspiration lumen and at least a portion of the infusion lumen adjacent to and/or associated with the container, and wherein the barrier inhibits penetration of a surgical instrument and/or contamination of the infusion lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a barrier positioned between a proximal opening of the aspiration lumen and at least a portion of the infusion lumen adjacent to and/or associated with the container, and wherein the container comprises a marker to indicate a position of the barrier and/or the center of the container to target aspiration. 
     
     
         12 . The intraventricular access device of  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the device are formed from and/or coated in biocompatible materials which inhibit cell adhesion and/or comprises an antimicrobial. 
     
     
         13 . A method of aspirating and infusing into at least a portion of a subject's brain fluid, comprising:
 positioning a portion of a device in or adjacent to a subject's brain;   penetrating an upper portion of a container of a device using a needle;   aspirating a first fluid from a first portion of the subject's brain fluid through an aspiration lumen coupled to the container and using the needle;   infusing a second fluid into a second portion of a subject's brain fluid through an infusion lumen coupled to the container and the aspiration lumen; and   infusing the second fluid using a pump coupled to the infusion lumen, wherein the pump is positioned externally or internally relative to the subject.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising implanting at least a portion of the aspiration and/or the infusion lumen in the subject's brain using a substantially inflexible stylet 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising observing at least a portion of the device during implantation using neuroimaging. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising subcutaneously positioning at least a portion of the infusion lumen coupled to a pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising inhibiting penetration and/or contamination of the infusion lumen using a barrier positioned between a proximal opening of the aspiration lumen and at least a portion of the infusion lumen adjacent to and/or associated with the container. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising inhibiting penetration of the infusion lumen by a sampling needle using a barrier positioned between a proximal opening of the aspiration lumen and at least a portion of the infusion lumen adjacent to and/or associated with the container. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of aspirating and infusing into at least a portion of a subject's brain fluid, comprising:
 penetrating an upper portion of a container of a device using a needle;   aspirating a first fluid from a first portion of the subject's brain fluid through an aspiration lumen coupled to the container and using the needle; and   infusing a second fluid into a second portion of a subject's brain fluid through an infusion lumen coupled to the container and the aspiration lumen.