Partial skull replacements capable of monitoring in real time and delivering substances into brain tissue, and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a method of monitoring biological tissues within a skull using the partial skull replacement. The method of monitoring using the partial skull replacement of the present invention has a minimal influence on intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid flow as compared to a conventional cranial window technique using glass, and, by way of visualizing biological tissues within a skull with enhanced clarity, is expected to be usefully employed as a method of monitoring biological tissues within the skull.
1. A method of preparing a window in a skull, the method consisting of:
removing the skull in a target site;
disposing a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in an area from which the skull was removed; and
sealing a connection between the skull and the partial skull replacement,
wherein the method is characterized by minimalizing influence of a flow of cerebrospinal fluid and an intracranial pressure in the skull.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target site includes cerebral blood vessels or brain cells.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing comprises applying a dental resin between the skull and the partial skull replacement.
4. A method of monitoring biological tissues within a skull, the method consisting of:
removing the skull in an area to be monitored;
disposing a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in the area from which the skull was removed;
sealing a connection between the skull and the partial skull replacement; and
monitoring the biological tissues within the skull through the disposed partial skull replacement,
wherein the method is characterized by minimalizing influence of a flow of cerebrospinal fluid and an intracranial pressure in the skull.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the monitoring is carried out using a laser or ultrasound.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the sealing comprises applying a dental resin between the skull and the partial skull replacement.
7. A method of injecting an agent into a skull, the method consisting of:
removing the skull in an area of injection;
disposing a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in an area from which the skull was removed;
sealing a connection between the skull and the partial skull replacement;
penetrating the partial skull replacement with an injection tool; and
injecting the agent into the skull via the injection tool that has penetrated the partial skull replacement,
wherein the method is characterized by minimalizing influence of a flow of cerebrospinal fluid and an intracranial pressure in the skull.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the agent is a lesion inducer, a therapeutic agent, a treatment promoter, a diagnostic agent, or an imaging agent.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the injection tool is a pipette or a needle.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sealing comprises applying a dental resin between the skull and the partial skull replacement.