DIRECT CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM CATHETER AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

摘要

A central nervous system (CNS) catheter assembly (20) adapted for use as a ventriculostomy catheter and a spinal catheter includes a catheter body (28) defining at least one lumen (30) therethrough having a drug delivery branch (22) and a monitoring/sensing branch (24). The drug delivery branch (22) and the monitoring/sensing second branch (24) are in fluid communication with th e lumen (30). The assembly further includes a filter assembly (36) disposed in fluid communication with the drug delivery branch (22) and a valve assembly (54) disposed in fluid communication with the monitoring/sensing branch (24) . Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a temperatu re control system (170) for use in controlling the temperature of a location within the central nervous system such as the brain or the spinal cord. The system further includes a pump controller (180), a central processing unit o r controller (194), a temperature sensing element (184), and a power supply (194) all operatively connected to the temperature control mechanism.