A transducer interface system/method allowing conversion from an analog sensor input to a standardized analog output interface is disclosed. In some preferred embodiments the system/method permits a fiber optic pressure sensor to be interfaced to a standard patient care monitor (PCM) system using standardized Wheatstone Bridge analog interface inputs. Within this context the Wheatstone Bridge sensed output is defined by stimulus from the PCM and modulation of bridge element values by the conditioned output of an analog pressure sensor. The use of analog-to-digital-to-analog conversion in this transducer interface permits retrofitting of PCM devices having analog Wheatstone Bridge inputs with advanced patient monitoring sensors without the need for specialized modifications to the baseline PCM data collection framework. Methods disclosed herein include techniques to connect arbitrary types/numbers of analog sensors to traditional PCM systems without the need for PCM system hardware/software modifications.

A method for monitoring a flowrate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt implanted in a human patient includes: (i) receiving, at a device external to the human patient, data sensed by a plurality of sensors within the device and positioned relative to the VP shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the human patient's brain; (2) determining, by the device and based on the sensed data, a rate of flow of the CSF in the VP shunt; and (3) transmitting (e.g., wirelessly), by the device, data indicating the rate of flow to a computing server.

Assemblies and methods for modifying an intraocular pressure of a patient's one or both eyes are disclosed. The assemblies and methods can be used to treat, inhibit, or prevent ocular conditions such as glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, optic disc edema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, zero-gravity induced papilledema, and other optic pressure related conditions. An assembly can include a goggle including at least one cavity, a pump in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump and can maintain a target pressure or target pressure range in the at least one cavity, which, when the assembly is worn by a patient, is the area between a patient's eye(s) and wall surfaces of the goggle. Controlling the pressure over the outer surfaces of the patient's eye(s) can drive a desired change in the intraocular pressure of the eye(s).

A spinal implant includes an implant body including a first endplate and a second endplate. A plurality of electrodes include at least one electrode disposed with the first endplate and at least one electrode disposed with the second endplate such that the electrodes conduct an electric current to stimulate tissue growth adjacent the implant body. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Embodiments for a cerebrospinal fluid flow detector for detecting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cerebrospinal fluid flow detector includes a casing with a rotatable wheel having a plurality of radially extending arms disposed therein. The rotatable wheel is in communication with a channel having a distal end in communication with an inlet port and a proximal end in communication with an outlet port such that the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the channel causes the rotatable wheel to rotate. In some embodiments, each radially extending arm includes at least one radiopaque marker in which movement of the rotatable wheel caused by fluid flow through the channel allows an X-ray imaging apparatus to detect the difference in position of a respective radiopaque marker at multiple times caused by rotation of the rotatable wheel.

A dependent closed pressure vessel is fluidly coupled to an independent closed pressure vessel. A pressure sensor monitors pressure in the vessels to generate raw pressure measurement data. A flow meter monitors multidirectional rate of flow of fluid between the vessels and the volume of fluid flowing from the independent closed pressure vessel to generate raw rate of flow and raw volume measurement data. A pressure/flow regulator valve adjusts pressure in the dependent closed pressure vessel in response to a pressure set point signal generated in response to the raw pressure data, adjusts the rate of flow of fluid between the vessels in response to a rate of flow set point signal generated in response to the raw rate of flow data, and adjusts the rate of flow of fluid between the vessels in response to a volume set point signal generated in response to the raw volume data.

A magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging method and device. The method comprises: applying a set pulse sequence into an imaging region, wherein the set pulse sequence comprises, in chronological order, a Delay Alternating with Nutation for Tailored Excitation (DANTE) pulse train, a variable flip angle train of a three-dimensional fast spin echo (SPACE), and a flip-down pulse train (S110); acquiring a magnetic resonance signal generated in the imaging region, and reconstructing a magnetic resonance images of the vessel wall in the imaging region according to the magnetic resonance signal (S120). By adding the flip-down pulse train behind the variable flip angle train of the three-dimensional fast spin echo (SPACE), the cerebrospinal fluid signals of the whole brain can be further suppressed effectively and uniformly, and the DANTE pulse train promotes the vessel wall imaging of the head and neck jointing portion.

The present invention provides an energy emission device comprising: one or a plurality of energy emission means for emitting at least one type of energy selected from the group consisting of an electromagnetic wave or an electromagnetic stimulation, an elastic wave, an oscillatory wave and heat to at least one position of a subject selected from the group consisting of the brain, the spinal cord, the cerebrospinal fluid or the flow passage thereof and the brain cell interstitial fluid or the flow passage thereof; an energy controlling means for controlling an amount of energy emitted from the energy emission means; and a means for obtaining information relating to wakefulness and/or a sleeping state of the subject, in which the energy controlling means controls the amount of energy emitted depending on the information relating to the wakefulness and/or the sleeping state.

A multi-wavelength surgical system is provided using an endoscope sensitive in the short-wave infrared region which allows exploration of different areas of the skull base for CSF leaks. The device includes an LED box with multiple wavelengths including allowing excitation of ICG with 785-808 nm, enhancing the water absorption from 1200-1550 nm and above 1800 nm and incorporating white light to allow for surgical navigation. Because CSF is 99% water having a large absorption in the SWIR band around 1200-1550 nm and above 1800 nm, the system and method should be an effective means of diagnosis without the need for intrathecal fluorescein.

A ventricular shunt assembly, used in conjunction with a hyperbaric environment (e.g., having a pressure of about 250 to about 350 mm H.sub.2O above atmospheric pressure) can be used to correct a patient's intraparenchymal venous pressure from a sub-normally low value to a normal value. The shunt may comprise a valve, e.g., and adjustable valve, disposed between the ventricular catheter and the distal catheter. Optionally, the shunt comprises a reservoir on the ventricular side of the valve.