CATHETER FOR INCREASED INTRATHECAL DRUG DISPERSION
FIG5A is a perspective view depicting a catheter in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure inserted into a subarachnoid space of a patient
Referring to FIG5A, a catheter 300 configured for increased intrathecal drug dispersion is depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the catheter 300 can generally include cylindrical cross-section, and can extend between a proximal end and a distal tip 302. Similar to conventional catheter designs, catheter 300 can generally include a wall 304 defining a lumen 306 extending between the proximal end and a medicament exit 308. However, unlike conventional catheter designs, catheter 300 can include one or more features 310 configured to generate vortices within the cerebrospinal fluid for the purpose of improving intrathecal drug dispersion.
perspective view
310
features
306
lumen
304
wall
302
distal tip
314
proximal portion
300
catheter
308
medicament exit
316
medicament
312
distal portion
['1. An intrathecal drug delivery system (100) configured to improve dispersion of medicament with cerebrospinal fluid in a subarachnoid space of a patient, the intrathecal drug delivery system (100) comprising: an implantable medical pump (102); and a catheter (300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) having a wall (304, 404, 508, 608, 708, 808) defining a lumen extending between a proximal end in fluid communication with the implantable medical pump (102) and structure defining a medicament exit (308, 408, 506, 606, 706, 806) positionable within the subarachnoid space of the patient, the wall (304, 404, 508, 608, 708, 808) further defining at least one feature (310, 410A, 410B, 410C, 510, 610, 710, 810) configured to generate vortices within the cerebrospinal fluid.', '2. The intrathecal drug delivery system (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one feature is a curve (310) defined by the catheter wall (304) configured to orient a distal portion (312) of the catheter (300) at an angle with respect to a proximal portion of the catheter.']