A skull mountable,implantable percutaneous fluid delivery device (2; 52; 82; 02) is described for use in delivering fluids to target sites in the brain. The device (2; 52; 82; 102) includes a subcutaneous base portion (6; 56; 86) comprising one or more ports for supplying fluid to one or more implanted catheter devices (18). A percutaneous portion (4; 54; 84; 104) of the device comprises an extracorporeal surface (10), the one or more ports of the subcutaneous base portion (6; 56; 86; 106) being accessible from the extracorporeal surface (10) of the percutaneous portion(4; 54; 84; 104). The subcutaneous base portion (6; 56; 86) is at least partially insertable into a complementary recess formed in a bone (44; 140) and comprises one or more anchoring features comprising at least one radially protruding wing (24; 62; 88; 124) for directly anchoring the subcutaneous base portion (6; 56; 86;106) to the bone (44; 140).
This invention concerns a neurosurgical kit comprising a catheter (1) and a guide tube (2). The catheter (1) comprises a distal section of tubing (11) having a distal end with a port or ports for delivering fluid to a target site within the brain. The distal section of tubing (11) has an outer diameter that is smaller than an internal diameter of the guide tube (2). The catheter (1) and guide tube (2) are arranged such that, when the catheter (1) is inserted into the guide tube (2) to locate the port or ports at the target site, a recess (14) is provided in a distal end section of the guide tube (2) between the guide tube (2) and the distal section of tubing (11) of the catheter (1).
The invention concerns a cranial drill system(100, 200, 300, 400) comprising one or more surgical drill elements (102, 202, 302, 402) for drilling into the brain. The invention also concerns a cranial drilling system (1200, 1300) comprising a surgical drill element for drilling into the skull (110, 210, 310, 410, 1210, 1310) and an element (102, 202, 302, 402, 1202, 1302) for penetrating the dura. The surgical drill element (310, 1310) may comprise a profile that forms an opening (153, 1153) in the skull (151, 1151) having a narrower diameter portion (153a, 1153a) and a wider diameter portion and the piercing element (302, 1302) may be arranged to be a close fit in the narrower diameter portion (153a, 1153a) of the opening. The invention also concerns a cranial drill system comprising a guiding element (210, 1210) to be located in a hole (153, 1153) formed through the skull (151, 1151) and a piercing element (202, 1202) for piercing the dura. The guiding element (210, 1210) may have a passageway or channel (220, 1220) therein for receiving the piercing element (202, 1202) such that the piercing element (202, 202) is movable relative to the guide element (210, 1210) to pierce the dura.
Neurosurgical apparatus is described that comprises a guide device (60) and a neurosurgical instrument (40). The guide device includes a tube (66) for insertion into the brain of a subject and a head (64) attached to the proximal end of the tube (66) for affixing the guide device (60) to a hole formed in the skull. The head has a passageway (70) therethrough in communication with the bore of the tube (66) such that the bore of the tube and the passageway (70) through the head (64) define an internal channel through which a neurosurgical instrument (40) can be passed into the brain (10) of the subject. The neurosurgical instrument (40), such as a catheter, is for insertion to a desired brain target through the internal channel of the guide device (60). The apparatus comprises one or more sealing elements (50,72) for providing a substantially fluid tight seal between the internal channel of the guide device (60) and the exterior of the neurosurgical instrument (40) when inserted therein. This prevents fluid leakage from guide tube.
A61B 90/11 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
A filter assembly for an additive manufacturing apparatus has a housing defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A filter element is located within the housing between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The assembly includes valves that can be actuated to seal the gas inlet and the gas outlet. Additionally the assembly has a fluid inlet for allowing ingress of a fluid into the housing. The assembly allows a filter element, which may contain volatile particles, to be changed safely. By sealing the gas inlet and outlet and flooding the housing with a suitable fluid, volatile particles captured by the filter can be neutralised.
An additive manufacturing apparatus comprises a processing chamber (100) defining a window (110) for receiving a laser beam and an optical module (10) The optical module is removably- mountable to the processing chamber for delivering the laser beam through the window. The optical module contains optical components for focusing and steering the laser beam and a controlled atmosphere can be maintained within the module.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
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