Method and Means for Intracranial Implantation of Carmustine Anti-Tumoral Agents

Biodegradable wafers containing the anti-tumoral agent carmustine (BCNU) are often inserted into the surgical void in the brain following the debulking of a glioma. The timed-release of the drug and subsequent diffusion of it into the peri-tumoral region allow for an effective, although relatively short-lived, form of interstitial chemotherapy. Once fully dissolved, an additional craniotomy would be needed to reinstate the treatment, and such an approach is typically not indicated as part of the standard armamentarium for the treatment of these tumors. The present invention offers a minimally invasive alternative, which allows for subsequent placement of a BCNU-laden compound into the brain using an image-guided insertion process and a re-designed version of the wafer material that is mechanically commensurate with modified versions of stereotactic trajectory guides.

The resulting advancement in treatment technology offers several potential advantages:

• Minimally invasive delivery of carmustine to localized regions of the brain.
• Accurate positioning of the carmustine within the target tissues.
• Full functionality within the MR environment.
• Robustness of the instrumentation and intra-operative ease of use.
• Straightforward clinical repetition as needed at subsequent time points.

Inventor(s): Broaddus, Mahajan, Gillies

Type of Offer: Licensing



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