A system including a flow control assembly. The system may include a flow regulating shunt system, for various purposes such as a use as a hydrocephalus shunt. The flow control assembly may be controlled according to selected parameters and methods. These include controlling microelectromechanical (MEMS) system to control a pressure in the flow control assembly.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.

Disclosed is a system including a flow control assembly. The system may include a flow regulating shunt system, for various purposes. The flow control assembly may be controlled according to selected parameters and methods.

An implantable body fluid drainage system includes a metering shunt having a housing with an internal chamber. A movable barrier divides the chamber into a first section and a second section, and the barrier can be displaced by a differential pressure. A first powered inlet valve providing a fill path to the first section of the chamber, and a first powered drain valve providing a drain path from the first section of the chamber. A CSF inlet conduit connects a CSF space to the first powered inlet valve. A CSF outlet conduit connects the first powered outlet valve to a discharge location. A controller opens the first powered inlet valve and close the first powered drain valve to fill the first section to a volume defined by the barrier and chamber geometry and closes the first powered inlet valve and opens the first powered drain valve to discharge the filled volume from the first section through the outlet conduit.

Disclosed is a system including a flow control assembly. The system may include a flow regulating shunt system, for various purposes. The flow control assembly may be controlled according to selected parameters and methods.

A method for the fail-safe termination of in vivo drug delivery from an implantable drug delivery system, the method comprising: providing an implantable drug delivery system comprising: a housing having a reservoir for containing a drug, and a port for dispensing the drug to a patient; and an emergency deactivation unit disposed between the reservoir and the port, the emergency deactivation unit comprising a composite structure comprising a biocompatible ferromagnetic mesh open to fluid flow and a hydrophobic meltable material, the hydrophobic meltable material comprising at least one hole therein for enabling a fluid to pass through the hydrophobic meltable material; implanting the implantable drug delivery system within a patient; enabling the drug to flow from the reservoir, through the at least one hole in the hydrophobic meltable material and out the port; and when drug flow is to be terminated, applying a magnetic field to the composite structure, such that a current is induced in the ferromagnetic mesh which heats the ferromagnetic mesh and melts the hydrophobic meltable material, thereby closing the at least one hole in the hydrophobic meltable material and blocking drug delivery to the patient.

A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.

An implantable body fluid drainage system includes a metering shunt having a housing with an internal chamber. A movable barrier divides the chamber into a first section and a second section, and the barrier can be displaced by a differential pressure. A first powered inlet valve providing a fill path to the first section of the chamber, and a first powered drain valve providing a drain path from the first section of the chamber. A CSF inlet conduit connects a CSF space to the first powered inlet valve. A CSF outlet conduit connects the first powered outlet valve to a discharge location. A controller opens the first powered inlet valve and close the first powered drain valve to fill the first section to a volume defined by the barrier and chamber geometry and closes the first powered inlet valve and opens the first powered drain valve to discharge the filled volume from the first section through the outlet conduit.

A method for the fail-safe termination of in vivo drug delivery from an implantable drug delivery system, the method comprising: providing an implantable drug delivery system comprising: a housing having a reservoir for containing a drug, and a port for dispensing the drug to a patient; and an emergency deactivation unit disposed between the reservoir and the port, the emergency deactivation unit comprising a composite structure comprising a biocompatible ferromagnetic mesh open to fluid flow and a hydrophobic meltable material, the hydrophobic meltable material comprising at least one hole therein for enabling a fluid to pass through the hydrophobic meltable material; implanting the implantable drug delivery system within a patient; enabling the drug to flow from the reservoir, through the at least one hole in the hydrophobic meltable material and out the port; and when drug flow is to be terminated, applying a magnetic field to the composite structure, such that a current is induced in the ferromagnetic mesh which heats the ferromagnetic mesh and melts the hydrophobic meltable material, thereby closing the at least one hole in the hydrophobic meltable material and blocking drug delivery to the patient.