US5191898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and assembly for measuring intracranial fluid characateristics
Assignee: Millar Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1992-05-05
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Granted: 1993-03-09
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Expires: 2012-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and assembly is provided which allows measurement of intracranial fluid charateristics at the intracranial region of the brain. The invention contemplates a method of implanting a ventricular catheter having one end residing in the ventricular region and the other end exiting the cranial region at a distal location. A grooved needle allows placement of a transducer tipped catheter and rerouting of both the ventricular, in-dwelling catheter and the transducer tipped catheter placed within the in-dwelling catheter. Intracranial fluid characteristics are monitored by an electrically coupled distal monitor. Further, access to the intracranial fluid is also provided to allow either short-term or long-term withdrawal or injection of intracranial fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Huntly D. Millar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/03; A61B5/031; A61B10/00; A61B10/0045; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
An assembly for measuring the fluid characteristics in a region of intercranial fluid, comprising: a flexible in-dwelling catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a plurality of openings, wherein the distal end of the in-dwellings catheter is adapted to be placed in communication with said intracranial fluid through a passage in the skull; a grooved stainless steel needle adapted to be routed subdermally between the scalp and skull from said passage to an exit point spaced from said passage, and having a proximal end removably attachable to the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter and a distal end having a beveled point, wherein the distal end of the in-dwelling catheter and the distal end of the needle extend in opposite directions when the two elements are connected; a transducer tipped catheter to measure fluid characteristics in a region of intracranial fluid, dimensioned to be positioned through said exit point, through the groove of said needle and to reside within the distal end of said in-dwelling catheter; means for connecting said needle to the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter, so that the needle and the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter can be drawn out of said exit point; and a monitor to analyze fluid characteristics in a region of intracranial fluid, the monitor being electrically connected to said transducer tipped catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
An assembly for measuring the fluid characteristics in a region of intercranial fluid, comprising: a flexible in-dwelling catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a plurality of openings, wherein the distal end of the in-dwellings catheter is adapted to be placed in communication with said intracranial fluid through a passage in the skull; a grooved stainless steel needle adapted to be routed subdermally between the scalp and skull from said passage to an exit point spaced from said passage, and having a proximal end removably attachable to the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter and a distal end having a beveled point, wherein the distal end of the in-dwelling catheter and the distal end of the needle extend in opposite directions when the two elements are connected; a transducer tipped catheter to measure fluid characteristics in a region of intracranial fluid, dimensioned to be positioned through said exit point, through the groove of said needle and to reside within the distal end of said in-dwelling catheter; means for connecting said needle to the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter, so that the needle and the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter can be drawn out of said exit point; and a monitor to analyze fluid characteristics in a region of intracranial fluid, the monitor being electrically connected to said transducer tipped catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said in-dwelling catheter comprises a radiopaque silicone rubber tubing open at the proximal end to accommodate said transducer tipped catheter and closed at the distal end except for said plurality of openings, said transducer tipped catheter having a smaller diameter than said silicone rubber tubing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said openings are arranged along the side of the distal end of said catheter and are of sufficient diameter to permit flow of fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said needle is shapeable to extend subdermally between the scalp and skull from said passage to said exit point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said needle comprises a male fitting with snap-fit serration thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said needle comprises a male fitting with detents thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said needle comprises a male fitting with threads thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter comprises a female fitting with serrations thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter comprises a female fitting with detents thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter comprises a female fitting with threads thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said needle and the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter are releasably pushable together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said needle and the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter are releasably rotatable together.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said exit point is positioned at a substantially distant location from said passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said exit point is located at a point substantially distant from the cranial region to thereby operate as a shunt for directing intracranial fluid into the vascular system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising an adaptor means which is coupled to the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter for allowing access to said intracranial fluid after said catheter is separated from said needle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said adaptor means comprises a Luer-Lok coupling to said in-dwelling catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said adaptor means comprises a Y-shaped body with one arm of the Y-shaped body having a stopcock for accessing said fluid and the other arm of the Y-shaped body having a seal means for preventing infection from entering said intracranial fluid via transducer tipped catheter extending therethrough.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, additionally comprising a stylet for inserting said in-dwelling catheter into the intracranial fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said transducer tipped catheter comprises a strain gauge and electrically connected wires for measuring hemodynamics and pressure waveforms of said intracranial fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said groove is dimensioned to accommodate the diameter of said transducer tipped catheter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said needle to the proximal end of said in-dwelling catheter is releasable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-08 | 1996-09-07 | 1997-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-08 | 2000-09-07 | 2001-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-08 | 2004-09-07 | 2005-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |