An automatic regulating system for regulation of liquid pressure includes a container, a tubing connected between the human tissue and the container, a switch unit controllable to switch between first and second states, a pressure sensor for measuring liquid pressure in the human tissue, a level sensor for detecting a liquid level in the container, and a control module controlling switching of the switch unit according to the liquid pressure and the liquid level detection. Fluid communication between the human tissue and the container is prevented in the first state but is permitted in the second state. Fluid communication between the human tissue and the pressure sensor is permitted in the first state but is prevented in the second state.

A catheter curvature brace, catheter assembly and method for managing fluid in a patient, the brace being attachable to a distal portion of a shaft of a catheter and having an elongated frame with a distal end and a proximal end. The frame is formed with at least one curve in a relaxed curved configuration. At least two coupling elements are connected to the frame, each coupling element configured to engage an outer surface of the catheter. At least the frame is formed of an elastic, biocompatible material capable of being straightened by a force and then returning to the relaxed curved configuration after the force is removed, thereby bending the catheter to substantially conform to the relaxed curved configuration.

The present invention provides methods and systems for conditioning cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by removing target compounds from CSF. The systems provide for a multilumen flow path and exchange of a majority volume portion of CSF in the CSF space. The removal and/or delivery of specific compounds can be tailored to the pathology of the specific disease. The removal is targeted and specific, for example, through the use of specific size-exclusion thresholds, antibodies against specific toxins, and other chromatographic techniques, as well as delivery and/or removal of targeted therapeutic agents.

Drainage systems for excess body fluids and associated methods are disclosed herein. A body fluid drainage system in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a catheter that has an exterior surface, a proximal portion, and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion. The body fluid drainage system can further include a valve device, a pressure sensor, and a controller operatively coupled to the valve device and the pressure sensor. The valve device can include an actuator positioned over the exterior surface of the catheter. The actuator is movable between an open position that allows body fluid flow through the catheter, a closed position that at least substantially obstructs the body fluid flow through the catheter, and intermediate positions that partially obstruct the body fluid flow through the catheter. The controller can change the position of the actuator in response to a predetermined condition of the pressure sensor.

Methods and devices are provided that allow a physician to consistently and reliably locate an implantable, magnetically settable valve (valve) and to determine and/or change (adjust) a setting of the valve from a current setting to a target setting without interference from the valve and/or patient's skin. In particular, various locator tools are provided that include a housing having a deck extending thereacross that is formed at least in part of a material which is moveable to accommodate a protrusion of a hydrocephalus valve beneath skin.

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.

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.

The invention concerns a flow regulator, made of a stack of 3 plates, respectively a top plate including a flexible membrane (1), a middle plate (2) with pillars and through holes and a bottom plate (3) with fluidic ports, micro channels and through holes (8,9,12). The principle is based on the deformation of the membrane due to the pressure of the liquid. The membrane goes in contact with the pillars of the middle plate, obstructing gradually the through holes of the pillars. The device is designed to keep the flow constant in a predefined range of pressure. The device is dedicated to ultra low flow rate up to 1 ml per day or below, typically for drug infusion. Plastic flow regulators comprise preferably several independent valves coupled in parallel. The membrane plate is therefore made of several flexible membranes obstructing gradually the flow by increasing the pressure. Stress limiters are used to avoid plastic deformation of the membrane. For implanted pump, the use of a flow regulator instead of a flow restrictor has several advantages, including the possibility to reduce significantly the reservoir pressure and to generate directly the pressure during the pump filling by using an elastic drug reservoir.

A device and means of attaching an implantable drainage lumen, catheter, or other device to an internal bodily surface, such as the peritoneum, is generally indicated by a biocompatible material or mesh fabric connected to a lumen, catheter, or other mechanical or electrical device whereby the biocompatible material or mesh may be surgically affixed to a tissue or organ by means of sutures, tacks, screws, tissue infusion or adhesion or other means in order to secure an internal drainage, or mechanical/electrical system or component for the prevention of migration or non-optimal CSF reabsorption after installation.

A shunt for at least partial implantation into a patient that includes an elongated conduit having at least one lumen therethrough and a second lumen concentric about the first lumen along at least part of the first lumen, 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.