A remotely operable convection-enhanced thermo-therapy catheter system for broad distribution of therapeutics in the brain

Glioblastoma is a highly invasive brain tumor resulting in a mean survival of only 8 months even with aggressive treatment. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an investigational therapy to treat glioblastoma that utilizes loco-regional drug delivery. However, standard CED has proven to result in inadequate drug volume dispersed (V [subscript d]) increasing the likelihood of tumor recurrence. This dissertation focuses on the refinement and design of the Convection-enhanced Thermo-therapy Catheter System (CETCS) and explores methods for further improving V [subscript d] utilizing the new drug delivery protocols made possible by CETCS. First, a new fiber optic microneedle device (FMD) fabrication method, solid fiber inside capillary (SFIC) FMD, and a modified fusion splicing (FS) method is presented with the goal of increasing light delivery efficiency. The modified FS FMD resulted in an increase in light transmission efficiency compared to previous prototypes. Next, we test the ability of constant flow rate, controlled catheter movement to increase V [subscript d] compared to stationary catheters in an agarose gel model. V [subscript d] for retraction and intermittent insertion was significantly higher than the stationary group. Following the results of the controlled catheter movement study, the value of constant pressure, controlled catheter movement was hypothesized. Constant pressure infusions were conducted with stationary, 0.25 mm/min, and a 0.5 mm/min catheters in agarose gel. The 0.25 mm/min and 0.5 mm/min retracting constant pressure catheters resulted in significantly larger V [subscript d] compared to any other group. In order to expand on these results, a computational framework for predicting V [subscript d], flow rate, and concentration gradients for pressure controlled and flow controlled infusions with controlled catheter movement was developed. Results indicated that movement of any kind appears to have marked advantage over a stationary catheter for both V [subscript d] and concentration distribution. Finally, the design for the CETCS hardware and software, excluding those of the CETCS MRI transmission system, is presented. The CETCS system has the ability to remotely operate 6 lasers, 6 syringe pumps, 6 individual microneedles, and the primary cannula of the arborizing catheter. Additionally, the software collects pressure sensor data, and the most recent revision has the capability of pressure control