TUMOR FLUID CIRCULATION SYSTEM

The tumor fluid circulation system consists of a piezoelectric micropump and an intratumoral catheter (Figure 4). The Pathfinder system currently deposits and withdraws liquid from a simple container. The MBP system, in which the catheter is implanted at a tumor site, delivers medication and brings back tumor fluid for feedback. In order to move from the benchtop to an implantable version of this circulation system, several catheter models have been designed, which contain two lumens for fluid inflow and outflow as well as several signal wires embedded to connect sensors at the catheter tip. PKC has thoroughly studied the fluid dynamics of flow of cerebral spinal fluid through a tube in order to determine the minimum inner diameter of the catheter lumens in relation to fluid flow rate, pressure loss and pump power. PKC is rigorously testing the catheters to meet specification standards and regulatory requirements.