A system includes a first port comprising a first inlet, a first outlet, a first fluid pathway extending from the first inlet to the first outlet, a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second fluid pathway extending from the second inlet to the second outlet. The system further includes one or more CSF catheters having a first lumen, a first distal opening in fluid communication with the first lumen, a second lumen, and a second distal opening in fluid communication with the second lumen. The one or more CSF catheters are, or are configured to be, operatively coupled with the first implantable device such that the first lumen is in fluid communication with the first fluid pathway and the second lumen is in fluid communication with the second fluid pathway. At least the first distal opening is configured to be placed in the CSF-containing space. The system further includes a second port having a third inlet, a third outlet, and a third fluid pathway extending from the third inlet to the third outlet. The system also includes a port catheter configured to operatively couple the third fluid pathway to the second fluid pathway.

An implantable cranial medical device includes a first fluid flow path, a second fluid flow path, and upper flange portion, and a lower portion. The upper flange portion is configured to rest on a skull of a subject about a burr hole. The lower portion is configured to be placed within the burr hole. The first fluid flow path may extend from a first opening in the upper flange portion to a first opening in the lower portion. The second fluid flow path may extend from a second opening in the upper flange portion to a second opening in the lower portion.

A suction catheter system is described with a suction extension interfaced with a guide catheter to form a continuous suction lumen extending through a portion of the guide catheter and through the suction extension. The suction extension can be positioned by tracking the suction nozzle through a vessel while moving a proximal portion of the suction extension within the lumen of the guide catheter. The suction extension can comprise a connecting section with a non-circular cross section for interfacing with the inner lumen of an engagement section of the guide catheter. The tubular body of the guide catheter can have a reduced diameter distal section the can be useful to restrain the movement of the suction extension. Proximal fittings attached to the guide catheter can facilitate safe removal of the catheter system from the patient by allowing for the removal of some or all of a tubular extension of the suction extension from the guide catheter behind a hemostatic seal. Pressure sensors connected to the proximal fittings can help to guide the procedures with reduced risk of embolizing thrombus.

The valve has: a body (10) projecting an inlet duct (30) and an outlet duct (40); a seat (31) in the inlet duct (30) and cooperating with a sealing ball (32); a helical spring (33) between the sealing ball (32) and a supporting ball (34); a rotor (50) mounted on the body (10) and having a cam surface (51), cooperating with the supporting ball (34); a locking member (60) having a magnet (61) and housed within each cavity (52) of the rotor (50), and to be moved between operative and inoperative positions; a spring (62) in each cavity (52) and forcing the locking member (60) into the operative position; and retention housings (15), each of two of the latter being opposite to each other, receiving one of the locking members (60) in the operative position, in a rotational position of the rotor (50).

An apparatus (10) for minimally-invasive, including non-invasive, prevention and/or treatment of hydrocephalus and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus (10), a housing (50) is sized for superjacent contact with a skull having a fontanel. Within the housing (50), a compartment (12) includes a pressure applicator (88), such as a fluid-filled bladder (22), under the control of a pressure regulator (14). The pressure applicator (88) is configured to selectively apply an external pressure to the fontanel. The compartment (12) includes a pressure sensor (90) configured to measure intracranial pulse pressure of the fontanel. Further, in one embodiment, the apparatus (10) can cause pulse pressure modulation by adjusting the intracranial pulse pressure via the pressure applicator (88). This enables a non-invasive measurement of the pulse pressure and modulation thereof in infants, for example.

The present disclosure is drawn to antimicrobial implantable medical devices, and can include an implantable medical device, and an antimicrobial metal applied to an exterior surface of at least a portion of the implantable medical that is positionable within a body tissue or traverses the body tissue when surgically placed (using surgical instruments beyond merely a needle or catheter port) for implantation.

The present disclosure provides a surgical shunt assembly tool that provides a more efficacious grip on the catheter tubes and prevent the tip of the catheter from buckling while the catheter is pushed onto the tip of the valve during installation of shunts during CSF shunt surgery. The tool includes standard handles such as used in a shodded misquito tool having a clamping jaw integrated into the distal end section of the handle. The distal jaw includes two forcep jaw sections each having a proximal end integrally formed with a distal end of a distal end arm section of one of the two handle arms, and a distal end section extending away from the distal end arm section. The distal end sections of the forcep jaw sections are cylindrically shaped such that when the forcep jaw is closed by bringing the two forcep jaw sections together, a cylinder is formed having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a catheter tube to be attached to a shunt valve tip. The proximal ends of the forcep jaw sections are oval shaped and have a size such that when the forcep jaw is closed bringing the two forcep jaw sections together, an oval shaped opening is formed having a size smaller than the diameter of the catheter tube such that the catheter tube is squeezed closed to provide a firm grip of the tool of the catheter tube.

A continuous-flow system for the treatment of edema in an injured central nervous system (CNS) tissue, including: a reversibly implantable device having: an inflow pathway, an outflow pathway, and a fluid flow pathway connecting the first outlet of the inflow pathway and the second inlet of the outflow pathway, wherein the fluid flow pathway includes a semi-permeable membrane; a first reservoir; a fluid-driving apparatus; a second reservoir; and a plurality of fluid flow conduits that fluidically connect the first reservoir, the fluid-driving apparatus, the second reservoir, and the reversibly implantable device; wherein the reversibly implantable device is configured to allow direct contact between the semi-permeable membrane and at least a portion of the injured CNS tissue; wherein the system is configured to contain a solution that pass through the fluid flow pathway and induces osmotic flow of water from the injured CNS tissue across the semipermeable membrane and into the solution, thereby decreasing swelling of the tissue. Also disclosed are related methods for removing water from a traumatically injured central nervous system (CNS) tissue in a subject.

A shunt device for shunting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF containing space to a sinus system cavity comprises a tubular inlet element, a flow restricting part, and a tubular outlet element having an outlet end with an outlet opening for insertion in the sinus system cavity, and a one-way valve preventing flow in a direction from the outlet opening to the inlet opening. The shunt device further comprises a distancer, said distancer being provided at the outlet end of the tubular outlet element.

Magnetic-based electronic valve readers for determining a location and orientation of magnets coupled to implantable medical devices to determine a setting of the device (e.g., setting of a fluid flow control valve of the medical device). The electronic valve readers include an orientation sensing mechanism that is provided and configured to enable the electronic valve reader to: 1) allow for internal offset calculation of an orientation change of the electronic valve reader during a reading process; and/or 2) during the reading process, provide an indication or warning to the clinician that the orientation of the electronic valve reader has changed to an extent at or exceeding a predetermined angular acceptance threshold or window. Systems including the disclosed electronic valve readers and methods of reading a setting of the device are also disclosed.