Method and System for Enhanced Imaging Visualization of Deep Brain Anatomy Using Infusion

摘要

Provided is a method and system for delivering a diagnostic agent to a site in the brain of a subject for imaging at least a portion of the brain site on a medical imaging system. The method and system includes a catheter device with associated lumens having diagnostic agent ports for delivering the diagnostic agent (e.g., infusate) through the lumens and advancing the diagnostic agent so as to exit out from the lumens to at least a portion of the brain site and while sealing a portion of the brain site thereby preventing the exited diagnostic agent from travelling proximally beyond the sealing location, and at the same time imaging at least a portion of the brain site during at least a portion of the sealing duration so that the brain site can be visualized on a medical imaging system. The diagnostic agent (infusate) is able to highlight borders and internal patterns of the deep structures of the brain thereby enabling direct targeting. Ultimately this leads to reduced complications, enhanced therapy, and the elimination of the need for awake surgery. The method and system provides the capability heretofore not possible to visualize the small, often indistinct regions, which will greatly improve clinical outcomes with therapeutic interventions.

主权项

1. A catheter system for delivering a diagnostic agent to a site in the brain of a subject for imaging at least a portion of the brain site on a medical imaging system, said catheter system comprising:
a catheter device, said catheter device includes as a first lumen, said first lumen having a first lumen proximal region, a first lumen distal regional, and a first lumen longitudinal region there between; said first lumen configured to convey a diagnostic agent within said first lumen, and at least a portion of said first lumen having one or more ports configured to allow the conveyed diagnostic agent to exit from said first lumen to at least a portion of the brain site; and a portion of said catheter device having a cross-sectional area greater than portions of said catheter located proximally so as to define a seal within at least a portion of the brain site, wherein said seal is configured to prevent the exited diagnostic agent from travelling proximally beyond the seal while at least a portion of the brain site can be visualized on a medical imaging system.