University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Virginia Commonwealth University

Zhi-Jian Chen

George T Gillies

William C Broaddus

A method, technique and system is disclosed for the delivery of therapeutic agents and/or into the bulk brain tissues and other parts, tissues and organs of the body, including vasculature. A novel form of coaxial catheter provides a means for implanting an outer tube into the brain, then inserting an inner tube into the outer tube and aligning them such that port holes on both of the tubes will overlap and permit a flux of the therapeutic agent to flow into the brain in such a way as to minimize the effects of trapped air, virtually eliminate backflow of the agent, and avoid the potential for additional damage to the brain since only one surgical placement of the outer tube is needed. Similarly, the method, technique system may be utilized to remove fluids or other medium from the brain, tissues, and organs to minimize the effects of escaped air or negative pressure.

Coaxial catheter systems for transference of medium

A method and means of cranial bone flap fixation that provides, among other things, the re-opening, resetting and/or repositioning of the bone flap during neurosurgical procedures. The instrumentation central to this method and means is MR and CT-visible to aid in imaging-based localization of it. The method and means can also be used in other types of medical procedures where certain kinds of hard or firm tissue fixation is desirable according to the method of the invention.

Growing community of inventors

Glen Allen, VA, United States of America

Zhi-Jian Chen