The invention includes a shunt for at least partial implantation into a patient that includes an elongated conduit having at least one lumen therethrough, that includes a proximal end for receipt of bodily fluids for flow through the shunt and a distal end for discharge of the bodily fluids from the shunt, and a long term source of at least one occlusion resistant agent, wherein said at least a portion of the at least one occlusion resistant agent can permeate through at least a portion of the elongated conduit. The invention also includes kits and systems.

A device for regulating blood pressure in a heart chamber is provided. The device includes a shunt positionable within a septum of the heart. The shunt is designed for enabling blood flow between a left heart chamber and a right heart chamber, wherein the flow rate capacity of the device is mostly a function of pressure in the left heart chamber.

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.

Systems and methods for filtering materials from biologic fluids are discussed. Embodiments may be used to filter cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a human or animal subject. In an example, CSF is separated into a permeate and retentate using a tangential flow filter. The retentate is filtered again and then returned to the subject with the permeate. During operation of the system, various parameters may be modified, such as flow rate and waste rate.

Detecting spatial location and rotation (pitch, roll and yaw) of an implantable programmable valve device having a direction of flow of fluid therethrough. A permanent-magnet rotor disk associated with the valve has magnets arranged in a ring. A single position within the ring represents a moveable reference marker position. Also included in the valve is a first fixed, stationary, non-moveable magnet disposed a predetermined distance relative to the moveable reference marker position. A magnetoresistive sensor array produces the asymmetric magnetic field pattern including a moveable reference marker corresponding to the moveable reference marker position in the ring and a first fixed reference marker corresponding to the first fixed, stationary, non-moveable magnet. An indicator device determines spatial location based only on the moveable reference marker and yaw based on the moveable reference marker relative to the first fixed reference marker.

A cerebral spinal fluid shunt plug includes a shunt plug housing having a shunt valve recess formed therein and an intracranial monitoring device recess with an access hole. A shunt valve is positioned within the shunt valve recess of the shunt plug housing and an intracranial monitoring device is passed through the central access hole of the shunt plug housing.

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.

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.

A drainage catheter with retractable internal drains for fluid drainage and irrigation. The drainage catheter with retractable internal drains generally includes a primary catheter for insertion within a subject, a lumen within the primary catheter for conducting fluid flow between a source of fluid drainage or irrigation and the subject, and a plurality of selectively retractable and deployable drains in fluid communication with the lumen. Retraction and deployment of the drains within a subject is accomplished remotely via a specially shaped stylet and common drain connector within the primary catheter. The plurality of drains are enclosed within the primary catheter in the retracted state and extend radially outwardly from the primary catheter in the deployed state. In the retracted state, insertion and location of the primary catheter in a subject are facilitated. In the deployed state, expanded and improved drainage and irrigation area and a plurality of fluid flow paths and locations are provided.

A high-strength steel sheet and a method for manufacturing a high-strength steel sheet having excellent phosphatability and excellent corrosion resistance after electrodeposition coating has been performed, even in the case where the contents of Si and Mn are high. The method may comprise annealing a steal sheet by using a continuous annealing method, performing a heating process, controlling the maximum end-point temperature of a steel sheet in the annealing furnace, controlling the traveling time of the steel sheet, and controlling the dew point of the atmosphere.