Patent ID: 8182460

Claim:
A method of infusing a fluid at a low flow rate into the brain of a patient, comprising: providing an outer, flexible guide catheter having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen therethrough; providing a hollow, flexible infusion fiber having a distal end and a proximal end, said infusion fiber being located within the lumen of the guide catheter, said proximal end of the infusion fiber extending outwardly from the proximal end of the guide catheter, said infusion fiber having an inlet located at the proximal end of the infusion fiber for receiving fluid to pass fluid through the infusion fiber to the distal end of the infusion fiber positioned proximate to the brain of the patient, wherein the inner diameter of the flexible infusion fiber is between about 90 microns and about 110 microns; locating the flexible infusion fiber within the lumen of the guide catheter such that (i) the flexible infusion fiber is axially movable within the guide catheter, and (ii) the proximal end of the infusion fiber extends outwardly from the proximal end of the guide catheter and the distal end of the infusion fiber extends outwardly from the distal end of the guide catheter, locating the guide catheter at a predetermined location within the brain of a patient, securing the guide catheter to the scalp of a patient; introducing fluid into the proximal end of the infusion fiber to cause fluid to pass from the distal end of the infusion fiber at the desired location within the brain of a patient, wherein the guide catheter and the infusion fiber are sufficiently flexible such that when the guide catheter is affixed to the scalp of the patient but not to the skull of the patient, the guide catheter and infusion fiber are capable of moving in the brain of the patient without causing hemorrhage.