A method of securing a connecting tube for use in an implantable device for implantation in human or mammal patient, wherein the tube is adapted to move patient fluid or hydraulic treatment fluid from one part of the patient, via the at least one connecting tube to another part of the patient, the connecting tube having a distal end adapted to be located in an organ of the human or mammal patient for drainage of a patient fluid or in a reservoir for movement av hydraulic treatment fluid, from a treatment area of the human or mammal patient into the organ.

An implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator for treating hydrocephalus in patients of all ages is disclosed as well as a system and method for use of the same. In one embodiment of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator, two one-way valves are interposed in parallel, opposing orientations between a vestibule and a chamber. One of the one-way valves, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber such that a small aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is displaced from a cerebral ventricle into a ventricular catheter, thereby reducing intraventricular systolic pressure. The other one-way valve, in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule such that the same volume of CSF is reintroduced into a cerebral ventricle, thereby increasing intraventricular diastolic pressure. Together, both processes work synergistically to reduce intraventricular pulse pressure in order to treat hydrocephalus.

The device presented is designed to cause, in a mode of operation referred to as “normal” mode, a fluid to flow along this fluid path successively through the first cavity, the filter, the second cavity then the flow restrictor. The device is also designed to cause, in a mode of operation referred to as “purge” mode, a fluid to flow along this same fluid path through the filter but in the opposite direction to the normal flow of the fluid (in the normal mode of operation). Thanks to the “purge” mode, the fluid will detach impurities that have become trapped on the filter in order to clean same.

A method for influencing cerebral perfusion in a patient by modifying a volume of a volume adaptor introduced into a cerebral ventricle of the patient, the method comprising identifying a timing of a cerebral blood inflow and/or outflow in a cardiac activity of the patient, modifying a volume of the volume adaptor in synchronization to the identified timing of the cerebral blood flow, to an amount sufficient to modify an intracranial pressure in the cerebral ventricle, such that a flow of the cerebral blood flow is enhanced. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the inflation duration of the volume adapter is short relative to the cardiac cycle.

Systems and methods for flushing shunt systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a flusher includes a pinch tube that extends over a flush dome such that a user can simultaneously close the pinch tube and actuate the flush dome with a single motion. Flushing and refill valves of the system can be disposed in a cartridge that is laterally-offset from the flush dome, advantageously reducing the height profile of the flusher. Flushers with integrated shunt valves are also disclosed, as are shunt systems with restricted and unrestricted modes for selectively limiting the instances in which a user can open an auxiliary flow path through the system.

The present invention provides a skull implant-type automatic fluid drain device comprising: a body having a first port to be connected to a catheter, a second port provided opposite the first port, and a flow passage connecting the first port and the second port; a separation member for separating the flow passage into first and second sub-channels; a first valve fixed to the separation member and provided to allow the movement of a fluid that moves from the first port to the second port in the first sub-channel; and a second valve fixed to the separation member and provided to allow the movement of a fluid that moves from the second port to the first port in the second sub-channel, wherein each of the first valve and the second valve has an inflow end portion that is open and a discharge end portion provided in a closed state such that the same is selectively opened at an allowed opening pressure or higher; each of the first valve and the second valve is configured such that the inner flow sectional area decreases along the direction of allowed movement of the fluid passing through each of the inflow end portion and the discharge end portion; and the allowed opening pressures of the first valve and the second valve are set to differ from each other.

In some embodiments, systems, methods and devices for using passive pressure sensors to measure pressure at an inaccessible location are provided. In some embodiments, a system for determining pressure in a ventriculoperitoneal shunt implanted in a subject is provided, the system comprising: an acoustic source emitting signals over a range of frequencies; the ventriculoperitoneal shunt, comprising: a lumen that provides a conduit for cerebrospinal fluid between; and a passive acoustic element in a wall of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt filled with a gas, wherein the passive acoustic element emits a second signal at a resonant frequency that varies based on the pressure on the passive acoustic element; an acoustic receiver that detects the second signal and outputs an electrical signal that represents at least the resonant frequency; and a processor programmed to: receive the electrical signal; determine the pressure using the resonant frequency; and present the pressure using a display.

The application relates to a hydrocephalus valve for draining CSF from the ventricle systems of patients. The valve has a housing with a housing interior and at least one first passage for admission and/or discharge. The valve has at least one body provided in the housing interior. The body is designed to move in at least one direction. At least one adjusting unit is provided. The application aims to improve tried-and-tested existing valves. To achieve this, the adjusting unit is designed to adjust at least one drainage rate in the passage, and to allow the drainage rate to be adjusted between 1 ml per hour and 1000 ml per hour at a pressure at the hydrocephalus valve of 20 cm water column, in order to slow or accelerate, by means of this adjustment, a change in pressure in the ventricle system that results from the drainage.

A method for using an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve including a fixed reference magnet and an adjustable valve unit having a pair of primary magnetic elements. In accordance with the present inventive method the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve is operable using either an intended toolset including a sensor array for detecting a magnetic field or a non-intended toolset employing an analog type compass assembly instead of the sensor array, wherein a location of the fixed reference magnet in the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve and size of the fixed reference magnet has substantially no negative influence on operation of the analog type compass assembly of the non-intended toolset when used to operate the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve.

Disclosed is a system that includes pressure sensors to assist in monitoring pressure at a selected location. Pressure sensors may be applied to or incorporated into catheters and/or shunts positioned within a patient. A monitoring system may then receive signals from the pressure sensors to monitor pressure at the location over time.