We are pleased to announce this intracranial hypotension research grant to Principal Investigator, Timothy Amrhein, MD and Co-Investigator, Linda Gray Leithe, MD, neuroradiologists at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC.
Development of a Novel Flexible Needle for Targeted Epidural Blood Patch of Ventral CSF Leaks
Institution: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
Principal Investigator:
Timothy Amrhein, MD
Associate Professor of Radiology
Director of Spine Intervention
Department of Neuroradiology
Co-Investigator:
Linda Gray Leithe, MD
Associate Professor of Radiology
Department of Neuroradiology
Other team members:
Chuck Geddie, Project Engineer, NeuroInnovations
Shweta Shrikant, Project Manager, NeuroInnovations
Katie Carroll, Project Engineer, NeuroInnovations
Fioleda Kesseli, Exec. Director, FastTrack Program
We asked Dr. Amrhein to comment on the importance of this project. “Straight needles currently used for epidural blood patches (EBP) for the treatment of spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are unable to easily access ventral CSF leaks, or leaks in front of the spinal cord. These procedures using straight needles to target ventral CSF leaks are associated with potential complications and lower clinical efficacy such that many patients ultimately require spinal neurosurgery to repair the leak. Duke University is developing a flexible epidural blood patching delivery system to allow for needle-tip positioning at targeted epidural locations. The novel device is likely to increase the effectiveness and safety of targeted EBP to ventral, lateral and dorsal CSF leaks.”
We’ll provide an update when the study has been completed.