Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other fluid amelioration systems completely or partially implantable within a mammalian subject and associated methods include a substrate and an agent for amelioration of a toxic biomolecule present in the CSF or fluid, wherein the agent is disposed on or within the substrate.

Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked. Systems and methods for flushing a shunt system are also disclosed herein, as are various systems and methods for opening auxiliary fluid pathways through a shunt system.

A method for using a universal electronic toolset for indicating and adjusting of an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve regardless of whether the valve includes a fixed reference magnet used to determine an angle of orientation of the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve or not. A magnetic field detection sensor array in an indicator tool of the electronic toolset determines whether the fixed reference magnet is present in the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve. If the presence of the fixed reference magnet is detected then the center and direction of flow of the adjustable valve unit is ascertained via electronic feedback from the electronic toolset; otherwise, the center and direction flow is ascertained via exclusively by manual physical palpation of the valve.

A shunt including an implantable housing having a proximal end and a distal end. A pressure sensitive valve is contained within the housing at a position between the proximal end and the distal end, and the pressure sensitive valve is capable of controlling a flow of fluid between the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. The shunt further including a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the pressure sensitive valve, wherein the sensor assembly is mechanically actuated and capable of detecting the flow of fluid through the pressure sensitive valve. A condition of the shunt can be detected by detecting a flow of fluid through the shunt and generating a signal indicative of a period of fluid flow through the implantable shunt based on the detecting. The signal can be output to an external device capable of determining, from the signal, whether the shunt is malfunctioning.

Disclosed herein is ureteral stent. The ureteral stent includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion. The proximal end includes a retention feature having a coiled shape. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The middle portion is between the proximal end and the distal end.

Described herein is the use of CSF, more particularly external CSF or CSF-like compositions for the treatment and prevention of different diseases. More particularly, the application provides for the administration of CSF to the intrathecal space or the cerebral ventricles of a patient to increase intracranial pressure and/or CSF flow.

Various cranial surgery OSS registration device embodiments of the present disclosure encompass a cranial surgery facial mask (128), a mask optical shape sensor (126b) having a mask registration shape extending internally within the cranial surgery facial mask (128) and/or externally traversing the cranial surgery facial mask (128), a cranial surgery tool (101), and a tool optical shape sensor (126d) having a tool registration shape extending internally within the cranial surgery tool (101) and/or externally traversing the cranial surgery tool (101). The mask registration shape of the mask optical shape sensor (126b) and the tool registration shape of the tool optical shape sensor (126d) interactively define a spatial registration of the cranial surgery facial mask (128) and the cranial surgery facial mask (128) and the cranial surgery tool (101) to a cranial image.

An externally programmable shunt valve assembly that includes a motor having a rotor that is operable in response to an externally applied magnetic field and configured to increase or decrease the working pressure of the shunt valve assembly. The motor may further include a position sensing mechanism that allows a position of the rotor, and associated pressure setting of the valve, to be determined using an external magnetic sensor. In certain examples the motor further includes a mechanical brake that is magnetically operable between a locked position and an unlocked position and which, in the locked position, prevents rotation of the rotor.

Methods for treating hydrocephalus using a shunt, the shunt having one or more CSF intake openings in a distal portion, a valve disposed in a proximal portion of the shunt, and a lumen extending between the one or more CSF intake openings and the valve, the method comprises deploying the shunt in a body of a patient so that the distal portion of the shunt is at least partially disposed within a CP angle cistern, a body of the shunt is at least partially disposed within an IPS of the patient, and the proximal portion of the shunt is at least partially disposed within or proximate to a JV of the patient, wherein, after deployment of the shunt, CSF flows from the CP angle cistern to the JV via the shunt lumen at a flow rate in a range of 5 ml per hour to 15 ml per hour.

A method of using a catheter assembly for inserting in a fluid filled space in a body includes providing a main body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is positioned within the fluid filled space. The second end portion is adjusted to extend outwardly from the fluid filled space when the first end portion is positioned within the fluid filled space. A catheter tip is connected to the second end portion of the main body. The catheter tip includes a housing having a cavity defined therein and a rotating element positioned within the fluid filled space. The rotating element is rotated within the cavity of the housing to impart movement of the first end portion of the main body within the fluid filled space.