Systems and methods for monitoring temperature using wireless, flexible thermal sensors are disclosed. A wireless, flexible thermal sensor mountable on a body may comprise a substrate, a power source, a thermal actuator configured to receive power from a power source and supply thermal energy to a portion of a skin surface of the body, a temperature sensor configured to detect a change in a temperature related to the thermal actuator, and a comparator configured to receive an electrical signal corresponding to the temperature of the temperature sensor, compare the received signal to a reference signal, and output a signal based on the comparison. The sensor may further comprise a power control element configured to receive a signal corresponding to the output signal of the comparator and alter the delivery of power to the thermal actuator based at least in part on the signal received from the comparator.

A cranial shunt implantable into a patient, the cranial shunt may comprise a first catheter, a second catheter and a valve assembly operatively coupled with the first and second catheters, the valve assembly comprising an inlet and a microcontroller, wherein the first catheter transfers cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the inlet. The cranial shunt may also comprise a pressure sensor configured to provide intracranial pressure (ICP) of the patient to the microcontroller, and a tilt sensor configured to provide an angle of orientation relative to gravity of a cranium of the patient to the microcontroller, where the valve assembly passes or blocks the CSF flow to the second catheter based on instructions from the microcontroller.

An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.

An adjustable hydrocephalus valve for pressure equalization of the cerebrospinal fluid in the cranium of a hydrocephalus patient. The valve is adjustable to change the opening and closing pressure of the valve. The valve housing has a cover portion that can be depressed to thereby disengage a locking device to permit adjustment of the valve. The cover portion bulges outwardly, but bulges inwardly when depressed. The cover portion snaps when moved between the outward bulge and the inward bulge to thereby generate an audio and/or visual signal indicating that the cover portion has been switched from the outward bulge to the inward bulge, and vice versa.

The present invention relates to preparation of a polymer coating comprising or consisting of polymer chains comprising or consisting of units of 2-methoxyethyl acrylate synthesized by Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (SIATRP) such as ARGET SIATRP or AGET SIATRP and uses of said polymer coating.

A cardiovascular valve assembly is disclosed including a housing assembly comprising a first portion and a second portion removably attached to the first portion. A valve may be positioned within the housing assembly. The valve, which may be a mechanical valve, a biological tissue valve, or a polymeric valve, may be structured to allow fluid to flow through the housing assembly in a single direction. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly may further include at least one coupling structure provided on the second portion and at least one aperture defined in the first portion, with the aperture structured to receive the coupling structure to couple the first portion to the second portion. Corresponding systems incorporating cardiovascular valve assemblies are also disclosed.

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.

An endovascular implantable shunt device for draining cerebrospinal fluid from a patient's subarachnoid space includes a shunt having opposed first and second ends, a one-way valve located at the first end of the shunt, a tip disposed at the second end, and a hollow passageway extending between the tip and one-way valve. The tip is constructed to penetrate a patient's sinus wall. Cerebrospinal fluid drains through the tip and out through the valve.

A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from the vascular system of a patient is implantable in the patient's body. The blood clot removal device comprises a blood flow passageway to be connected to the patient's vascular system to allow circulation of the patient's blood through the blood flow passageway, a filter provided in the blood flow passageway for collecting blood clots occurring in the blood flowing through the blood flow passageway, and a cleaning device for moving blood clots collected by the filter out of the blood flow passageway. By means of such blood clot removal device, the risk of blood clots reaching sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the brain, is reduced.

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.