Inventors:
Patrick Aebischer - Barrington RI
Moses Goddard - Tiverton RI
John G. Moldauer - Brooklyn NY
Paul J. Mulhauser - New York NY
Anne M. Rathbun - Providence RI
Paul R. Sanberg - Greeenwich RI
Alfred V. Vasconcellos - Cranston RI
Nicholas F. Warner - Belmont MA
Assignee:
Brown University Research Foundation - Providence RI
International Classification:
A61M 3100
Abstract:
Implantable therapy systems are disclosed for the local and controlled delivery of a biologically active factor to the brain, spinal cord and other target regions of a subject suffering from a dibilatating condition. The method of the invention involves surgically exposing an insertion site, generally located above a predetermined treatment site (12), in a patient. A cannula (20), having an obturator (30) or dilator (104) positioned therein, is inserted at the insertion site, defining a pathway to the treatment site. In some instances, the cannula can be inserted along the path of a guidewire (102) previously positioned at the treatment site. The cannula (20) is preferably a low friction polymeric material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The cannula (20) generally has an open proximal end for receiving the obturator (30) or dilator (104), and an open distal end, preferably a tapered end, for delivery of neurologically active factors to the treatment site (12). The obturator (30) is then removed from the cannula (20), and a biocompatible tethered vehicle (40) containing a biologically active material is inserted into the cannula along the passageway.