Patent ID: 7241283

Claim:
A method of treating a tissue region in the brain of a patient comprising: inserting into the brain an outer catheter having an exterior surface, an inflatable balloon mounted upon the exterior surface, at least one element distal to the balloon, at least one aperture and a lumen, the element being adapted to monitor brain activity within the tissue region, to electronically stimulate the tissue region, or to provide information on a precise position of the element when the element is located entirely within the brain and being mounted proximal to a distal end of the outer catheter upon an exterior surface of a distal portion of the outer catheter; inflating the balloon to seal a tract created during insertion of the outer catheter into the brain; inserting into the lumen an inner catheter having a passageway extending between a proximal end and at least one port, the outer catheter guiding the inner catheter to the tissue region; and transferring fluids between the tissue region and the proximal end through the passageway.