The present invention relates to a system (10) and a corresponding method for estimating the respiratory drive (R_DRIVE) of mechanically ventilated patients, and for preferably apportioning this respiratory drive into one, or more, components related to the chemical drive—i.e. the drive due to the chemoreceptor response—and/or the muscular drive—i.e. the contraction of respiratory muscles, for example the diaphragm. The principle of the invention is that respiratory drive can be obtained from measuring the patient's response to small changes in mechanical ventilation settings (Vt_SET), and that this can be apportioned into chemical and/or muscular effects depending upon the changes in respiratory frequency, and/or arterial or end tidal CO.sub.2 levels, and/or arterial blood p H.

Fluid delivery systems and methods of delivering an agent and treating a disorder are disclosed that include a subcutaneously implantable port having a body defining a chamber with an open top and a delivery opening and a septum coupled to the body to extend over the open top of the chamber. The systems and methods can further include an intrathecal catheter having an proximal end configured to be coupled to the port and fluidly coupled to the delivery opening of the chamber and a plug having a body with a passage to receive the intrathecal catheter therethrough. The plug can be configured to be inserted into the fascia to protect against leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.

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.

This invention relates to coated mesoporous nanoparticles (MSN). The coating material is an ultrasound-responsive material (for example a polymer) and it acts as a control layer for blocking/release of material loaded in the pores of the MSN.

Described herein is the use of the optic nerve sheath (ONS) response to alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure for predicting the risk of developing Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome in a subject.

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. The method may include the steps of withdrawing fluid comprising CSF, filtering the volume into permeate and retentate by passing the fluid through a tangential flow filter, and returning the permeate to the subject. During operation of the system, various parameters may be modified, such as flow rate.

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.

A needle is provided that has terminals located at or near its tip. The terminals are connectable to an impedance calculating circuit configured to enable the impedance calculating circuit to apply an alternating current input electrical signal to the terminals. The terminals are further configured to enable the impedance calculating circuit to measure a resultant electrical signal and calculate an impedance of biological tissue surrounding the tip. The needle may further include light transmitting media, that extends along the needle, and that is connectable to a light circuit. The light circuit may include an emitter/detector pair for transmitting light from the emitter, along the media, and emitting the light from the tip. A reflection of the emitted light may be transmitted from the tip to the detector and the light circuit may calculate the light absorption of the tissue.

A shunt device for directing fluid from a human head, and methods thereof are provided herein. The device can be mounted at a skull and include a first catheter that extends into a portion of the head such as a lateral ventricle. The first catheter can covey fluid through, and past a valve to a shunt body. The shunt body can include openings, allowing the fluid to reenter the head, for example at the subarachnoid space. The shunt body can also include other openings that can be associated with a second catheter. Fluid can thus also be conveyed out of the body or to a subgaleal pocket.

A medical device configured to improve medicament dispersion within a cerebrospinal fluid of a patient. The medical device including an implantable catheter having a distal end configured to be positioned within a flow of the cerebrospinal fluid, a proximal end, a body defining a lumen extending lengthwise along the implantable catheter configured to enable a flow of medicament from the proximal end to an infusion port located in proximity to the distal end, and a piezoelectric element positioned in proximity to the infusion port configured to selectively oscillate during medicament administration to improve dispersion of the medicament within the cerebrospinal fluid.