Systems and methods for reducing or preventing backflow in a delivery system
Systems and methods are disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow. In some embodiments, CED devices include a tissue-receiving space disposed proximal to a distal fluid outlet. Tissue can be compressed into or pinched/pinned by the tissue-receiving space as the device is inserted into a target region of a patient, thereby forming a seal that reduces or prevents proximal backflow of fluid ejected from the outlet beyond the tissue-receiving space. In some embodiments, CED devices include a bullet-shaped nose proximal to a distal fluid outlet. The bullet-shaped nose forms a good seal with surrounding tissue and helps reduce or prevent backflow of infused fluid.
1. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient, comprising:
advancing a fluid conduit and a first outer sheath into tissue to compress a first portion of the tissue into a first tissue-receiving space defined between an exterior surface of the fluid conduit and an interior surface of a distal end of the first outer sheath, the first outer sheath disposed around the fluid conduit; and
delivering fluid containing the therapeutic agent under positive pressure through the fluid conduit and into the tissue.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering a sealing gel through the fluid conduit, before delivering the fluid containing the therapeutic agent, to fill one or more voids that exist between the fluid conduit and a second portion of the tissue adjacent to a distal end of the fluid conduit.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the tissue compressed into the first tissue-receiving space forms a seal that reduces proximal backflow of the fluid delivered from the fluid conduit beyond the first tissue-receiving space.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising advancing a second outer sheath disposed over the first outer sheath into the tissue such that a third portion of the tissue is compressed into a second tissue-receiving space defined between an exterior surface of the first outer sheath and an interior surface of a distal end of the second outer sheath.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the distal end of the first outer sheath is at least one of conical, convex, and concave.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling delivery of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on an output of a microsensor embedded in the fluid conduit.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein delivering the fluid containing the therapeutic agent comprises delivering a fluid containing a therapeutic agent to treat at least one condition selected from central-nervous-system (CNS) neoplasm, intractable epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, lysosomal storage disease, chronic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, balance disorders, hearing disorders, and cavernous malformations.
8. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient, the method comprising:
advancing a fluid conduit having a first outer sheath disposed therearound into tissue to compress a first portion of the tissue into a first tissue-receiving space defined between an exterior surface of the fluid conduit and an interior surface of a distal end of the first outer sheath;
delivering a sealing gel through the fluid conduit to fill one or more voids that exist between the fluid conduit and a second portion of the tissue adjacent to a distal end of the fluid conduit; and
subsequently delivering fluid containing the therapeutic agent under positive pressure through the fluid conduit and into the tissue.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first portion of the tissue compressed into the first tissue-receiving space forms a seal that reduces proximal backflow of the fluid delivered from the fluid conduit beyond the first tissue-receiving space.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising advancing a second outer sheath disposed over the first outer sheath into the tissue such that a third portion of the tissue is compressed into a second tissue-receiving space defined between an exterior surface of the first outer sheath and an interior surface of a distal end of the second outer sheath.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the interior surface of the distal end of the first outer sheath is at least one of conical, convex, and concave.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising controlling delivery of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on an output of a microsensor embedded in the fluid conduit.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein delivering the fluid containing the therapeutic agent comprises delivering a fluid containing a therapeutic agent to treat at least one condition selected from central-nervous-system (CNS) neoplasm, intractable epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, lysosomal storage disease, chronic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, balance disorders, hearing disorders, and cavernous malformations.
14. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient, comprising:
advancing a fluid conduit having a first outer sheath disposed therearound into tissue to compress a first portion of the tissue into a first tissue-receiving space defined between an exterior surface of the fluid conduit and an interior surface of a distal end of the first outer sheath;
advancing a second outer sheath disposed over the first outer sheath into the tissue such that a second portion of the tissue is compressed into a second tissue-receiving space defined between an exterior surface of the first outer sheath and an interior surface of a distal end of the second outer sheath; and
delivering fluid containing the therapeutic agent under positive pressure through the fluid conduit and into the tissue.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising delivering a sealing gel through the fluid conduit, before delivering the fluid containing the therapeutic agent, to fill one or more voids that exist between the fluid conduit and a third portion of the tissue adjacent to a distal end of the fluid conduit.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the tissue compressed into the first tissue-receiving space forms a seal that reduces proximal backflow of the fluid delivered from the fluid conduit beyond the first tissue-receiving space.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the interior surface of the distal end of the first outer sheath is at least one of conical, convex, and concave.
18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising controlling delivery of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on an output of a microsensor embedded in the fluid conduit.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein delivering the fluid containing the therapeutic agent comprises delivering a fluid containing a therapeutic agent to treat at least one condition selected from central-nervous-system (CNS) neoplasm, intractable epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, lysosomal storage disease, chronic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, balance disorders, hearing disorders, and cavernous malformations.