DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Drug delivery systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to deliver a drug to a patient in coordination with a physiological parameter of the patient (e.g., the patient's natural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation or the patient's heart or respiration rate). In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to use a combination of infusion and aspiration to control delivery of a drug to a patient. Catheters, controllers, and other components for use in the above systems are also disclosed, as are various methods of using such systems.
1 . A drug delivery device, comprising:
an elongate body having a fluid lumen formed therein; and
a fluid port formed in the delivery device, the fluid port being defined by a helical slit formed in a wall of the delivery device.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the helical slit extends from an interior surface of the body to an exterior surface of the body.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the helical slit acts as a fluid communication path between an interior of the fluid lumen and an exterior of the delivery device.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the helical slit is formed through an exterior wall of the delivery device.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the helical slit is formed in a sidewall of a reduced-diameter portion of the delivery device.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the helical slit is formed in a sidewall of an inner tube that projects from a distal end of the body.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the delivery device includes an atraumatic distal tip defined by a substantially spherical bulb.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the delivery device includes a second, distal-facing fluid port.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the delivery device includes a tapered transition between a larger diameter proximal portion of the delivery device and a reduced diameter distal portion of the delivery device.
10 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the tapered transition is at least one of conical, convex, and concave.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the delivery device comprises a catheter.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the delivery device comprises a needle.
13 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an inflatable member disposed at a distal end of the delivery device.
14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the inflatable member is deployable from within a sharpened distal tip of the device.
15 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the inflatable member includes a fluid port therein.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the fluid port of the inflatable member comprises a helical slit.
17 . A drug delivery device, comprising:
an elongate body having a fluid lumen therein and a fluid port through which fluid can move between an interior of the fluid lumen and a location exterior to the delivery device;
wherein at least a portion of the fluid lumen is helically-shaped.
18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the helically-shaped portion of the fluid lumen is adjacent to the fluid port.
19 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the helically-shaped portion of the fluid lumen comprises a tubular passage that defines a plurality of looped coils.
20 . A drug delivery device, comprising:
a needle having a sharpened distal tip; and
an inflatable member selectively deployable from a distal end of the sharpened tip, the inflatable member having a fluid port formed therein;
wherein the fluid port comprises a helical slit.
21 .- 30 . (canceled)