Neuro Navigational Corporation

Lance Kumm

Donald M Cohen

John Aoki

Shea Bassett

Rith N Kimm

George M Acosta

A flexible bipolar electrode for neurosurgery includes an inner hypotube defining an irrigation passageway and a hollow outer electrode surrounding the hypotube, with the outer electrode and hypotube together establishing a bipolar electrode. An empty void is established between the electrodes to facilitate flexibility of the bipolar electrode when, for example, the electrode is advanced through a curved lumen of a neuroendoscopy instrument.

Bipolar electrode with fluid channels for less invasive neurosurgery

A shunt for relieving hydrocephalus has a closed distal end and an aperture formed in the distal end. A hollow hypotube has a distal end, and the hypotube holds an image fiber which protrudes beyond the distal end of the hypotube. The hypotube is positioned in the shunt with the distal end of the hypotube abutting the distal end of the shunt and the image fiber protruding through the aperture. The hypotube with shunt can then be advanced into the brain of a patient, while the surgeon views the path of advancement on a nearby video monitor which is connected to the image fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the distal end of the image fiber is flush with the distal end of the hypotube. The shunt has a slit formed in its distal end, and the hypotube with image fiber can be selectively advanced through the slit to view the area of the brain beyond the catheter.

Neuro endoscope for shunt

Shunt with internal neuroendoscope

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Tustin, CA, United States of America

Lance Kumm