APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RETROGRADE PLACEMENT OF A SINUS SAGITTAL DRAINAGE CATHETER

摘要

P A method of inserting a drainage catheter into a sagittal sinus (20) having a blood flow in a direction from upstream to downstream. A hole is made using a trephine (110), if necessary, in the skull (26) of a patient (12) near the sagittal sinus (20). A distal end (18) of a catheter is inserted through the hole made with a trephine (110) and the dura (44) into the sagittal sinus (20). The distal end (18) of the catheter is positioned so that the distal end (18) generally points in the upstream direction relative to the blood flow. A sagittal sinus catheter (22) is adapted for placement through the dura (44) of a patient (12) proximate an upper sagittal sinus (20). The catheter is formed of a semi-rigid material and has a curvature (40) of at least ninety degrees. / P