US20210244922A1 - Implantable Intracranial Pulse Pressure Modulator and System and Method for Use of Same - Google Patents
Implantable Intracranial Pulse Pressure Modulator and System and Method for Use of Same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210244922A1 US20210244922A1 US16/866,350 US202016866350A US2021244922A1 US 20210244922 A1 US20210244922 A1 US 20210244922A1 US 202016866350 A US202016866350 A US 202016866350A US 2021244922 A1 US2021244922 A1 US 2021244922A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vestibule
- chamber
- recited
- ball check
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000035485 pulse pressure Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 36
- 238000007917 intracranial administration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title abstract description 20
- 210000001175 cerebrospinal fluid Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 238000007914 intraventricular administration Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 210000004289 cerebral ventricle Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 208000003906 hydrocephalus Diseases 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 230000035487 diastolic blood pressure Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000035488 systolic blood pressure Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000013528 metallic particle Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 210000003625 skull Anatomy 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002861 ventricular Effects 0.000 abstract description 23
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
- 230000000747 cardiac effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 238000001356 surgical procedure Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000002592 echocardiography Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 210000003200 peritoneal cavity Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000004556 brain Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 206010019233 Headaches Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 206010022840 Intraventricular haemorrhage Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 206010028980 Neoplasm Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 231100000869 headache Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 210000004379 membrane Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000003281 pleural cavity Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000005245 right atrium Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000004761 scalp Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000001519 tissue Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 206010010356 Congenital anomaly Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000032843 Hemorrhage Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010061218 Inflammation Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000283903 Ovis aries Species 0.000 description 1
- 208000037273 Pathologic Processes Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010034650 Peritoneal adhesions Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010036590 Premature baby Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010058028 Shunt infection Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000032851 Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000002667 Subdural Hematoma Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010042364 Subdural haemorrhage Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000003187 abdominal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001464 adherent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003484 anatomy Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003416 augmentation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000740 bleeding effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000002987 choroid plexus Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 208000031513 cyst Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 201000010099 disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000232 gallbladder Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000015181 infectious disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000004054 inflammatory process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004072 lung Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000036244 malformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010534 mechanism of action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003278 mimic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000926 neurological effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000056 organ Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001575 pathological effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009054 pathological process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010349 pulsation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010979 ruby Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001750 ruby Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052594 sapphire Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010980 sapphire Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003462 vein Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000001720 vestibular Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
- A61M39/22—Valves or arrangement of valves
- A61M39/24—Check- or non-return valves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M27/00—Drainage appliance for wounds or the like, i.e. wound drains, implanted drains
- A61M27/002—Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another
- A61M27/006—Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
- A61M39/22—Valves or arrangement of valves
- A61M39/24—Check- or non-return valves
- A61M2039/2473—Valve comprising a non-deformable, movable element, e.g. ball-valve, valve with movable stopper or reciprocating element
- A61M2039/248—Ball-valve
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
- A61M2202/04—Liquids
- A61M2202/0464—Cerebrospinal fluid
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/35—Communication
- A61M2205/3507—Communication with implanted devices, e.g. external control
- A61M2205/3523—Communication with implanted devices, e.g. external control using telemetric means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/50—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers
- A61M2205/52—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/58—Means for facilitating use, e.g. by people with impaired vision
- A61M2205/583—Means for facilitating use, e.g. by people with impaired vision by visual feedback
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2210/00—Anatomical parts of the body
- A61M2210/06—Head
- A61M2210/0687—Skull, cranium
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2230/00—Measuring parameters of the user
- A61M2230/30—Blood pressure
Definitions
- This invention relates, in general, to the treatment of hydrocephalus and, in particular, to an implantable surgical device, namely, an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator for treating hydrocephalus.
- Cerebrospinal fluid is made within the cerebral ventricles by both active and passive processes. CSF percolates through the cerebral ventricular system, as well as the brain itself, and it is ultimately absorbed into intracranial and intraspinal veins, thereby establishing a so-called CSF circulation. It is generally taught that there must be a balance between how much CSF is made and absorbed, and hydrocephalus is said to result when absorption is reduced for some reason, such as the result of inflammation or subarachnoid hemorrhage. In addition, processes that physically deform the brain or obstruct the ventricular system can block CSF pathways and flow, such as seen with tumors, cysts, and various congenital malformations.
- CSF absorption is a very sensitive function of ICP, increasing with increasing pressure over a threshold pressure even in patients with hydrocephalus, although perhaps not as efficiently as in normal individuals.
- the ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) was developed in the 1950s, and this represented a major milestone in modern neurological surgery, for it offered a fairly reliable and effective treatment for hydrocephalus in patients in which the hydrocephalus was not the result of an underlying disease process that could be treated some other way, such as excising the tumor causing CSF obstruction, etc.
- the VP shunt literally shunts (diverts) CSF from the cerebral ventricles to the peritoneal cavity, where it is absorbed into the venous system.
- VP shunts are not successful because of peritoneal adhesions, loculations, or an inability for the diverted CSF to be resorbed.
- CSF can be shunted from a cerebral ventricle into the pleural spaces around the lungs (V-pleural shunt), the right atrium of the heart (VA shunt), or the gall bladder (VGB shunt).
- V-pleural shunt the right atrium of the heart
- VGB shunt gall bladder
- shunts can break, obstruct, become infected, and erode into other organs.
- shunt surgery new shunts, revisions of shunts, and management of the complications
- shunts There are programmable shunts, anti-siphoning shunts, shunts that can be pumped, shunts that can be tapped, shunts with anti-bacterial coatings, pressure differential shunts, flow regulated shunts, high pressure shunts, and low pressure shunts.
- shunts fail within the first year after placement. Headaches with shunts are common.
- Approximately thirty percent (30%) of children with shunts have headaches that are frequently related to over-shunting (excessive drainage of CSF). In adults, and particularly in the elderly, over-shunting can cause subdural hemorrhage (bleeding over the surface of the brain), and this can be life threatening. Many of the complications relate to where and how much fluid is drained. Modern neurosurgery has never quite established how much CSF should be allowed to drain and how best to accomplish this. Shunt infections can be particularly devastating to young infants and children, interfering with intellectual development.
- VSG shunts have been used for years as an effective alternative of a VP shunt in tiny premature infants who have developed hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).
- VSG shunt option is interesting, because CSF is diverted into a subgaleal pocket created by the surgeon over the one-way-only shunt device.
- Existing implantable devices reduce the IVPP as a treatment of hydrocephalus. Such devices are designed to actively induce ventricular volume changes with an intrinsic pump controlled by a microprocessor and a rechargeable battery system. This approach serves to endorse the concept that pathologic augmentation of IVPP is indeed the underlying pathologic process in hydrocephalus, but the complexity of technology of this invention is somewhat worrisome as the first implantable device to treat hydrocephalus. Advances in medical science are needed to treat hydrocephalus by focusing on reducing IVPP with simple and safe technical methodology.
- some embodiments of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator include two one-way valves that are interposed in parallel, opposing orientations between a vestibule and a chamber.
- Each of the one-way valves may be a passive ball check valve.
- One of the one-way valves in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber such that a small aliquot of CSF is displaced from the cerebral ventricle into a ventricular catheter, thereby reducing the intraventricular systolic pressure.
- the other one-way valve in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule such that the same volume of CSF is displaced from the vestibule and reintroduced into the cerebral ventricle, thereby increasing the intraventricular diastolic pressure.
- both processes work synergistically to reduce IVPP in order to treat hydrocephalus.
- An implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator includes a housing sized for superjacent contact with a skull.
- the housing secures a vestibule, two one-way valves, and a chamber therein.
- the housing includes fine metallic particles impregnated therein.
- the vestibule has a receiving member configured to couple to an intraventricular catheter.
- the two one-way valves are interposed in parallel with opposing orientations between the vestibule and the chamber.
- One of the one-way valves in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber.
- the second one-way valve in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule.
- an accessory device may include a housing securing a processor, memory, and a plurality of position detectors therein.
- a busing architecture communicatively interconnects the processor, the memory, and the position detectors.
- the position detectors are configured to detect the position of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and the position of the two one-way valves.
- the accessory device is an ultrasound probe that detects the position of the two one-way valves.
- FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator, according to the teachings presented herein;
- FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a left elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is a right elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a pair of one-way valves, which form a portion of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an accessory device of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator.
- FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the accessory device depicted in FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a system for treating hydrocephalus, according to the teachings presented herein;
- FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the accessory device depicted in FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a system for treating hydrocephalus, according to the teachings presented herein;
- FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of an accessory device.
- an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator device that is schematically illustrated and generally designated 10 .
- a housing 12 is sized for superjacent contact with a skull S.
- the housing 12 secures a vestibule 14 , a pair of one-way valves 16 , 18 exemplarily depicted as passive ball check valves 20 , 22 , and a chamber 24 therein.
- Walls of the chamber 24 may be comprised of an elastic material such as silicone that allows the volume of the chamber 24 to change slightly.
- the base 40 of the housing 12 may include fine metallic particles 26 impregnated therein, or the housing 12 may include another material that may be identified by position detection or ultrasound, for example.
- the vestibule 14 has a receiving member 28 configured to couple to an intraventricular catheter 30 , which forms the intracranial component of the IPPMD 10 .
- the intraventricular catheter 30 may be constructed of silicone or other appropriate polymer that provides a radio-opaque appearance on x-rays and scans. Additionally, the intraventricular catheter 30 may include markings, such as centimeter markings 32 , to facilitate its placement into a cerebral ventricle V.
- the intraventricular catheter 30 has an end 34 (best seen in FIG. 11 ) and in one embodiment, the end 34 may include an open tip.
- the end 34 may include a blunt, closed tip with multiple small holes positioned around the circumference of the intraventricular catheter 30 for an initial length, such as one centimeter. It should be appreciated that it is not anticipated that the intraventricular catheter 30 will be subject to obstruction by the choroid plexus and ependymal tissue to the marked degree as are existing ventricular catheters in present use with traditional shunts.
- the housing 12 includes a base 40 and a body 42 .
- the base 40 may include a circumferential rim 44 that provides an interface for sutures to be placed.
- the IPPMD 10 may be secured to the pericranium P (best seen in FIG. 11 ), a fibrous membrane that is adherent to the outer surface of the skull S (best seen in FIG. 11 ).
- the circumferential rim 44 is 2 mm wide and 2 mm thick.
- the upper 1 mm thickness of this circumferential rim i.e., the dorsal surface of the circumferential rim 44 ), may be comprised of silicone impregnated with the fine metallic particles 26 , or other appropriate material. Accordingly, with the impregnated fine metallic particles 26 , as will be discussed in FIG. 9 through FIG. 11 , the position of the base 40 of the housing 12 may be detected by capacitive position sensors arranged in the floor of an accessory device 36 .
- the one-way valves 16 , 18 are interposed in parallel between the vestibule 14 and the chamber 24 . Moreover, the one-way valves 16 , 18 are positioned with opposing orientations.
- the housing 12 includes a valve box 46 , which has the two one-way valves 16 , 18 therein.
- the valve box 46 may include a silicone-based construction.
- the one-way valve 16 is the passive ball check valve 20 and the one-way valve 18 is the passive ball check valve 22 .
- Other kinds of one-way valves may be utilized such as miniature passive check valves, flap valves, membrane valves, cantilever valves, or Tesla valves.
- the chamber 24 may be a tap chamber configured to accept a needle.
- the one-way valve 16 in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule 14 to the chamber 24 . In response to diastole, the one-way valve 16 blocks fluid communication between the vestibule 14 and the chamber 24 .
- the one-way valve 18 in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber 24 to the vestibule 14 . In response to systole, the one-way valve 18 blocks fluid communication between the vestibule 14 and the chamber 24 .
- fluid flows from the vestibule 14 to the chamber 24 during the latter part of systole, when the intraventricular pressure surpasses the pressure in the chamber 24 , and fluid flows from the chamber 24 to the vestibule 14 during the early part of diastole, when the pressure in the chamber 24 is greater than the pressure in the vestibule 14 .
- the one-way valve 16 may be the passive ball check valve 20 and the one-way valve 18 may be the passive ball check valve 22 .
- the passive ball check valve 20 may include a body 50 having a channel 52 with an inlet 54 and outlet 56 therethrough.
- the inlet 54 may be proximate the vestibule 14 and the outlet 56 may be proximate the chamber 24 .
- a seat 58 intersects the body 50 proximate the inlet 54 .
- a mounting member 60 secures a spring 62 to the body 50 proximate the outlet 56 .
- a ball 64 is coupled to the spring 62 opposite the mounting member 60 with the spring 62 biasing the ball 64 into contact with the seat 58 .
- the spring 62 may be positioned within the channel 52 proximate the outlet 56 and the ball 64 interposed between the spring 62 and the seat 58 . In this manner, the spring 62 , the ball 64 , or the spring 62 and the ball 64 may be floating.
- the ball 64 in response to a minimum inlet-to-outlet pressure, is displaced from the seat 58 to provide for fluid communication through the channel 52 from the inlet 54 to the outlet 56 .
- the passive ball check valve 20 may include a cracking pressure equal to an intraventricular pulse pressure that displaces an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid.
- the cracking pressure may be a differential pressure between zero and the untreated intraventricular pulse pressure that allows for displacement of an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid.
- the passive ball check valve 20 in response to diastole, blocks fluid communication between the vestibule 14 and the chamber 24 .
- the passive ball check valve 20 in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule 14 to the chamber 24 upon an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid from a cerebral ventricle V (see FIG. 11 ) entering the intraventricular catheter 30 and increasing pressure in the vestibule 14 .
- the passive ball check valve 22 may be similar to the passive ball check valve 20 .
- a body 70 includes a channel 72 having an inlet 74 and an outlet 76 therethrough with the inlet 74 being proximate the chamber 24 and the outlet 76 proximate the vestibule 14 .
- a seat 78 intersects the body 70 proximate the inlet 74 and a mounting member 80 secures a spring 82 to the body 70 proximate the outlet 76 .
- a ball 84 is coupled to the spring 82 opposite the mounting member 80 such that the spring 82 biases the ball 84 into contact with the seat 78 .
- the spring 82 may be positioned within the channel 72 proximate the outlet 76 and the ball 84 interposed between the spring 82 and the seat 78 . In this manner, the spring 82 , the ball 84 , or the spring 82 and the ball 84 may be floating.
- the spring 82 in response to a minimum inlet-to-outlet pressure, is displaced from the seat 78 to provide for fluid communication through the channel 72 from the inlet 74 to the outlet 76 .
- the passive ball check valve 22 may have a cracking pressure equal to an intraventricular pulse pressure that displaces an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid. Moreover, the cracking pressure may be between the peak systolic pressure and minimum diastolic pressure.
- the passive ball check valve 22 in response to systole, blocks fluid communication between the tap chamber 24 and the vestibule 14 .
- the passive ball check valve 22 in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber 24 to the vestibule 14 upon an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid from the intraventricular catheter 30 entering the cerebral ventricle V and decreasing a pressure in the vestibule 14 .
- the IPPMD 10 allows only a small volume of CSF to enter the end 34 of the intraventricular catheter 30 and during diastole, another small volume of CSF (probably of equal volume) is pushed back into the cerebral ventricle V.
- a small volume of CSF enters the shunt catheter in systole.
- CSF does not move in the reverse direction in the ventricular catheter because the shunts have a one-way valve.
- proximal shunt obstruction occlusion of the ventricular catheter
- CSF current there is no CSF current established within the ventricular catheter of the IPPMD 10 , since the net directional flow of CSF over the entire cardiac cycle is zero. If the IPPMD 10 indeed has a significant lower risk/incidence of “proximal shunt obstruction,” this would be a remarkable advantage of this new device over traditional shunts.
- the accessory device 36 includes a housing 102 securing a processor 104 , memory 106 , and position detectors 108 therein.
- the housing 102 of the accessory device 36 may be sized for hand-held operation.
- a busing architecture 110 communicatively interconnects the processor 104 , the memory 106 , and the capacitive position detectors 108 .
- One or more wireless transceivers 112 may be associated with the housing 102 and coupled to the busing architecture 110 .
- the wireless transceivers 112 may be configured to communicate with a computing device via a wireless protocol.
- the processor 104 may process instructions for execution within the accessory device 36 as a computing device, including instructions stored in the memory 106 .
- the memory 106 stores information within the computing device.
- the memory 106 may be a volatile memory unit or units, a non-volatile memory unit or units, capacity that is capable of providing mass storage, or a combination thereof.
- the processor 104 and the memory 106 may be embodied as a microcontroller or a microprocessor.
- the position detectors 108 may include device position detectors 114 that are configured to detect the position of the accessory device 36 with respect to the IPPMD 10 .
- the position detectors 108 may also include valve position detectors 116 that are configured to detect the position of the one-way valve 16 and the one-way valve 18 . That is, the position detectors 108 are configured to detect the alignment of the accessory device 36 over the IPPMD 10 and, responsive to correct positioning, track the movement of the stainless steel balls, or balls of another suitable composition, within the one-way valves 16 , 18 .
- Audiovisual indicators 118 which provide data to the user, are associated with the housing 102 and coupled to the busing architecture 110 .
- the audiovisual indicators 118 may include audio signals, visuals signals, or a combination thereof.
- the accessory device 36 may be a handheld accessory device that, in one embodiment, is shaped to be comfortable in a cupped hand of the care provider.
- the bottom of the accessory device 36 may have a concave contour to accept the prominence of the dorsal surface of the IPPMD 10 under the patient's scalp.
- the device position detectors 114 may include multiple capacitive position sensors that are arranged within the accessory device 36 in an array that mirrors the circumferential rim 44 of the housing 12 .
- the aforementioned circuitry e.g., the processor 104 and the memory 106 that monitor the positioning of the accessory device 36 , once it has been placed over the IPPMD 10 and a power switch 120 , for example, has been turned ON.
- the accessory device 36 may record the electrical signal from each position detector 108 and cause a colored LED 122 , part of the audiovisual indicators 118 , to signal on the dorsal surface of the accessory device 36 as an indication that the accessory device 36 is over the circumferential rim 44 of the housing 12 with a green light, as opposed to not being over the circumferential rim 44 with a red light.
- the audiovisual indicators 118 which may also be LED lights, are arranged in two concentric shapes that mimic the circumferential rim 44 of the housing 12 . The care provider carefully adjusts the position of the accessory device 36 so that all of the audiovisual indicators 118 are green.
- the processor 104 turns on an orange (or other color) central visual LED light, which is part of the audiovisual indicators 118 , apparent to the care provider, to indicate that approximately ten (10) or more, for example, cardiac cycles are being examined by tracking the reciprocal movements of the balls 64 , 84 with the valve position detectors 116 , which may be two micro motion detectors, arranged within the accessory device 36 , so that the valve position detectors 116 are in the sagittal plane of its respective passive ball check valve 20 , 22 , and it is facing the seat 58 or 78 of its respective passive ball check valve 20 , 22 .
- plastic springs may be available, if the metal springs interfere with position monitoring of the balls 64 , 84 , which may be stainless steel, of the passive ball check valves 20 , 22 .
- ultrasound may be an equally effective method to detect and quantify movement of the balls 64 , 84 in the passive ball check valves 20 , 22 , since stainless steel will be opaque with this technique, which may prove advantageous to block out distracting echoes from behind the balls 64 , 84 .
- echogenic artifact from the metal balls 64 , 84 may be avoided with other ball materials such as glass, sapphire, ruby, and diamonds. All of these materials are commercially available as check valve balls and are durable alternatives to stainless steel balls.
- the care provider may move the accessory device, which is an ultrasound probe 140 , which may be handheld with a housing 141 and cabling 143 , over the IPPMD 10 to locate the passive ball check valves 20 , 22 and orient the handheld probe appropriately to define best the extent of the cyclical, reciprocal movements of the balls 64 , 84 .
- the ultrasound probe 140 is configured to track the movement of the one-way valves 16 , 18 . More particularly, a transducer probe 142 is coupled to a switch 144 which, in turn, is connected to a transmitter 146 and a receiver 148 .
- the transmitter 146 When actuated by the switch 144 , the transmitter 146 applies transducer waveforms to the transducer probe 142 , thereby causing the transducer probe 142 to emit beams of ultrasonic energy 148 directed along selected scan lines. Returning echoes 150 are received from the balls 64 , 84 in the passive ball check valves 20 , 22 being impinged upon. When actuated by the switch 144 , the receiver 148 processes the returning echoes 150 via a B-mode processor 152 and a Doppler processor 154 .
- the B-mode processor 152 produces output signals indicative of an intensity of the returning echoes 150 and the Doppler processor 154 produces output signals indicative of a Doppler parameter such as Doppler velocity or Doppler energy along the selected scan lines.
- the output signals from the B-mode processor 152 and the Doppler processor 154 are applied to an encoder 156 that generates composite data which is transformed into an image by an image generator 158 . It should be appreciated that although a particular ultrasound probe 140 is presented herein, other types of ultrasound probes are within the teachings of the present invention presented herein.
- the accessory device 36 may have wireless capabilities, such as Bluetooth capabilities, so that the measurement data can be transferred to a nearby computer for sophisticated evaluation and documentation.
- the care provider will be provided information about whether the passive ball check valves 20 , 22 are opening and closing relative to the cardiac cycle, and whether one or both show limited or no movement that may indicate malfunction of the IPPMD 10 .
- the IPPMD 10 may include both intracranial and extracranial components.
- the intracranial component is the intraventricular catheter 30 , a radio-opaque silicone catheter, which would be introduced through a burr hole B in the skull S into a cerebral ventricle V from any of the standard ventricular shunt locations.
- the proximal end of the intraventricular catheter 30 may have a 90° turn at 124 as it exits the skull S and connects to the extracranial component of the IPPMD 10 .
- this extracranial component consists entirely of the housing 12 , which may be made of silicone and has a small (2 ⁇ 3 cm) footprint and a profile with a maximal height of 1 cm. It should be appreciated, however, that the form factor and size may vary depending on the application.
- the pressure in the cerebral ventricle drops below the pressure in the chamber 24 , which closes the passive ball check valve 20 and opens the second passive ball check valve 22 , thereby allowing CSF to move back into the cerebral ventricle V during diastole.
- the peak systolic pressure is initially reduced by the flow of an aliquot of CSF from the cerebral ventricle V into the IPPMD 10 .
- a CSF aliquot flows back into the cerebral ventricle V, thereby raising the diastolic pressure, which reduces the pulse pressure (PP) yet again.
- PP is decreased twice with every cardiac cycle. Initially in systole, it is decreased by reducing the peak systolic pressure; and in diastole, by increasing the lowest diastolic pressure. Both mechanisms collectively serve to decrease PP.
- the mean intraventricular pressure is the same with or without the device.
- traditional ventricular shunts reduce only the systolic pressure and do not affect the diastolic pressure, unless the shunt is siphoning. With siphoning, the diastolic pressure would decrease, thereby increasing PP—an undesirable effect.
- the IPPMD 10 may more effectively treat hydrocephalus, as compared to both non-siphoning and siphoning traditional VP shunts. Moreover, this IPPMD 10 does not depend on complicated electronic micro pumps, microcontrollers, balloons, transmitters, or other technology to achieve pulse pressure reductions. In contrast, in some embodiments, the IPPMD 10 has only four moving parts within the passive ball check valves 20 , 22 , balls 64 , 84 , and two springs 62 , 82 , which function passively, driven by the intraventricular pressure (IVP) changes induced by the heart during the cardiac cycle. The IPPMD 10 can be made smaller without much effort.
- IVP intraventricular pressure
- IPPMD 10 can be assessed with the accessory device 36 , a tester that tracks the reciprocal movements of the balls 64 , 84 and springs 62 , 82 .
- a shunt tap can be performed by introducing a small gauge needle into the chamber 24 in order to measure pressure and aspirate CSF for laboratory analysis and culture.
- the length of the intraventricular catheter 30 deserves comment.
- One embodiment is to provide the IPPMD 10 with a single, long intraventricular catheter 30 with a single end opening, and the surgeon can cut it to the correct length according to the patient's anatomy.
- Other embodiments may offer the IPPMD 10 with various lengths of intraventricular catheter 30 , and the surgeon can pick the best one for the job.
- the disadvantage of the former embodiment is that the surgeon may not make a clean cut of the intraventricular catheter 30 , and the tip of the intraventricular catheter 30 may have a ragged, or even sharp edge (if the cut is not perpendicular to the axis of the tube).
- One solution is to provide a simple, plastic cutter tool with a slot for the intraventricular catheter 30 to be cut by a guillotine-like blade (or another device that insures a clean, perpendicular cut) with each IPPMD 10 manufactured with long catheters for the surgeon to trim to size. Furthermore, it is suggested that the ventricular catheter be manufactured as a contiguous component of the IPPMD 10 to avoid assembling of the ventricular catheter 30 to the housing 12 by the surgeon during surgery, thereby eliminating a connection site that commonly breaks.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Anesthesiology (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Neurology (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- External Artificial Organs (AREA)
Abstract
An implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator for treating hydrocephalus in patients of all ages is disclosed as well as a system and method for use of the same. In one embodiment of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator, two one-way valves are interposed in parallel, opposing orientations between a vestibule and a chamber. One of the one-way valves, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber such that a small aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is displaced from a cerebral ventricle into a ventricular catheter, thereby reducing intraventricular systolic pressure. The other one-way valve, in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule such that the same volume of CSF is reintroduced into a cerebral ventricle, thereby increasing intraventricular diastolic pressure. Together, both processes work synergistically to reduce intraventricular pulse pressure in order to treat hydrocephalus.
Description
- This application claims priority of co-pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/972,617, entitled “Implantable Intracranial Pulse Pressure Modulator and System and Method for Use of Same,” and filed on Feb. 10, 2020, in the name of Frederick H. Sklar; which is hereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for all purposes.
- This invention relates, in general, to the treatment of hydrocephalus and, in particular, to an implantable surgical device, namely, an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator for treating hydrocephalus.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is made within the cerebral ventricles by both active and passive processes. CSF percolates through the cerebral ventricular system, as well as the brain itself, and it is ultimately absorbed into intracranial and intraspinal veins, thereby establishing a so-called CSF circulation. It is generally taught that there must be a balance between how much CSF is made and absorbed, and hydrocephalus is said to result when absorption is reduced for some reason, such as the result of inflammation or subarachnoid hemorrhage. In addition, processes that physically deform the brain or obstruct the ventricular system can block CSF pathways and flow, such as seen with tumors, cysts, and various congenital malformations. Supposedly less CSF can be absorbed in these individuals because the circulation has been disturbed and hydrocephalus therefore develops. For the most part, rates of CSF formation are independent of intracranial pressure (ICP), although CSF production may diminish at very high ICP. In contrast, CSF absorption is a very sensitive function of ICP, increasing with increasing pressure over a threshold pressure even in patients with hydrocephalus, although perhaps not as efficiently as in normal individuals.
- The ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) was developed in the 1950s, and this represented a major milestone in modern neurological surgery, for it offered a fairly reliable and effective treatment for hydrocephalus in patients in which the hydrocephalus was not the result of an underlying disease process that could be treated some other way, such as excising the tumor causing CSF obstruction, etc. The VP shunt literally shunts (diverts) CSF from the cerebral ventricles to the peritoneal cavity, where it is absorbed into the venous system. Sometimes after multiple VP shunts and/or infections involving the peritoneal cavity, VP shunts are not successful because of peritoneal adhesions, loculations, or an inability for the diverted CSF to be resorbed. In those instances, CSF can be shunted from a cerebral ventricle into the pleural spaces around the lungs (V-pleural shunt), the right atrium of the heart (VA shunt), or the gall bladder (VGB shunt). These various ventricular shunts present their own set of risks and complications, and they are considered distant second choice procedures to the VP shunt.
- Overall, patients generally do reasonably well with shunts, although the devices are associated with significant risks. To name only a few, shunts can break, obstruct, become infected, and erode into other organs. There are innumerable kinds of shunts in the marketplace, and shunt surgery (new shunts, revisions of shunts, and management of the complications) is said to have accounted for more than a billion dollars in year 2000 of American annual healthcare costs. There are programmable shunts, anti-siphoning shunts, shunts that can be pumped, shunts that can be tapped, shunts with anti-bacterial coatings, pressure differential shunts, flow regulated shunts, high pressure shunts, and low pressure shunts. Approximately thirty percent (30%) of shunts fail within the first year after placement. Headaches with shunts are common. Approximately thirty percent (30%) of children with shunts have headaches that are frequently related to over-shunting (excessive drainage of CSF). In adults, and particularly in the elderly, over-shunting can cause subdural hemorrhage (bleeding over the surface of the brain), and this can be life threatening. Many of the complications relate to where and how much fluid is drained. Modern neurosurgery has never quite established how much CSF should be allowed to drain and how best to accomplish this. Shunt infections can be particularly devastating to young infants and children, interfering with intellectual development.
- In the 1970s, various researchers were able to create hydrocephalus by implanting small, pulsating balloons in the cerebral ventricles of lambs. The balloon pulsations were synchronized to augment the intraventricular pulse pressure (IVPP). Patients with VP shunts frequently have ventricular asymmetries, and the cerebral ventricle containing the shunt catheter tends to be the smaller one. IVPP has been noted to be reduced in the cerebral ventricle with the shunt catheter, compared to the cerebral ventricle on the other side. Ventriculosubgaleal shunts (VSG shunts) have been used for years as an effective alternative of a VP shunt in tiny premature infants who have developed hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Premature babies are at great risk of abdominal complications with the traditional preferred VP shunt procedure, and these problems are avoided with surgical procedures that can treat the hydrocephalus temporarily without involving the peritoneal cavity until these tiny infants are bigger and healthier. Accordingly, the placement of a reservoir to allow frequent removal of ventricular fluid or placement of a VSG shunt is frequently done with fair results. The VSG shunt option is interesting, because CSF is diverted into a subgaleal pocket created by the surgeon over the one-way-only shunt device.
- In order to explain why this procedure is so effective in treating hydrocephalus, some neurosurgeons have suggested the excess CSF is actually resorbed by the galea—the undersurface of the scalp. More likely, however, the VSG shunt serves as a shock absorber, reducing the IVPP by allowing a small aliquot of CSF to leave the cerebral ventricle with every heartbeat therefore reducing the IVPP. In fact, this phenomenon is likely the actual mechanism of action of traditional ventricular shunts: the systolic pressure spike displaces a small CSF volume into the ventricular catheter, and it cannot return into the cerebral ventricle because of the presence of a one-way valve. This removal of a small volume of CSF reduces the systolic peak pressure, which reduces the IVPP and serves to treat the hydrocephalus. The actual draining of fluid into the peritoneal cavity, pleural space, or right atrium is an epiphenomenon and likely has nothing to do with the effective treatment of hydrocephalus. However, CSF drainage directly and indirectly has much to do with many of the complications that occur with frequency with ventricular shunt surgeries.
- Existing implantable devices reduce the IVPP as a treatment of hydrocephalus. Such devices are designed to actively induce ventricular volume changes with an intrinsic pump controlled by a microprocessor and a rechargeable battery system. This approach serves to endorse the concept that pathologic augmentation of IVPP is indeed the underlying pathologic process in hydrocephalus, but the complexity of technology of this invention is somewhat worrisome as the first implantable device to treat hydrocephalus. Advances in medical science are needed to treat hydrocephalus by focusing on reducing IVPP with simple and safe technical methodology.
- It would be advantageous to achieve an advanced, implantable device that can treat hydrocephalus without having to drain CSF from the cerebral ventricles to another body cavity. Moreover, it would be preferable if this device were designed for simplicity and to function passively, utilizing physiologic pressure changes that occur within the cerebral ventricles during the cardiac cycle, thereby not requiring complicated technical and electrical components. To better address one or more of these concerns, a surgically implantable passive intracranial pulse pressure modulator for treating hydrocephalus in patients of all ages is disclosed as well as a system and method for use of the same.
- In one aspect, some embodiments of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator include two one-way valves that are interposed in parallel, opposing orientations between a vestibule and a chamber. Each of the one-way valves may be a passive ball check valve. One of the one-way valves, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber such that a small aliquot of CSF is displaced from the cerebral ventricle into a ventricular catheter, thereby reducing the intraventricular systolic pressure. The other one-way valve, in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule such that the same volume of CSF is displaced from the vestibule and reintroduced into the cerebral ventricle, thereby increasing the intraventricular diastolic pressure. Together, both processes work synergistically to reduce IVPP in order to treat hydrocephalus.
- In another aspect, some embodiments are directed to a system for treating hydrocephalus. An implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator includes a housing sized for superjacent contact with a skull. The housing secures a vestibule, two one-way valves, and a chamber therein. The housing includes fine metallic particles impregnated therein. The vestibule has a receiving member configured to couple to an intraventricular catheter. The two one-way valves are interposed in parallel with opposing orientations between the vestibule and the chamber. One of the one-way valves, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber. The second one-way valve, in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule. Fluid flows from the vestibule to the chamber during the latter part of systole, when the intraventricular pressure exceeds the pressure in the chamber. Fluid flows from the chamber to the vestibule during the early part of diastole, when the pressure in the chamber is greater than the pressure in the vestibule.
- In some embodiments, an accessory device may include a housing securing a processor, memory, and a plurality of position detectors therein. A busing architecture communicatively interconnects the processor, the memory, and the position detectors. The position detectors are configured to detect the position of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and the position of the two one-way valves. In other embodiments, the accessory device is an ultrasound probe that detects the position of the two one-way valves. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
- For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator, according to the teachings presented herein; -
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a left elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is a right elevation view of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a pair of one-way valves, which form a portion of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an accessory device of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator; -
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the accessory device depicted inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a system for treating hydrocephalus, according to the teachings presented herein; -
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the accessory device depicted inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a system for treating hydrocephalus, according to the teachings presented herein; and -
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of an accessory device. - While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the present invention.
- Referring initially to
FIG. 1 throughFIG. 8 , therein is depicted one embodiment of an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator device (IPPMD) that is schematically illustrated and generally designated 10. As shown, ahousing 12 is sized for superjacent contact with a skull S. Thehousing 12 secures a vestibule 14, a pair of one-way valves ball check valves chamber 24 therein. Walls of thechamber 24 may be comprised of an elastic material such as silicone that allows the volume of thechamber 24 to change slightly. Thebase 40 of thehousing 12 may include finemetallic particles 26 impregnated therein, or thehousing 12 may include another material that may be identified by position detection or ultrasound, for example. Such particles may be impregnated within theperimeter rim 44. The vestibule 14 has a receivingmember 28 configured to couple to anintraventricular catheter 30, which forms the intracranial component of theIPPMD 10. Theintraventricular catheter 30 may be constructed of silicone or other appropriate polymer that provides a radio-opaque appearance on x-rays and scans. Additionally, theintraventricular catheter 30 may include markings, such as centimeter markings 32, to facilitate its placement into a cerebral ventricle V. Theintraventricular catheter 30 has an end 34 (best seen inFIG. 11 ) and in one embodiment, theend 34 may include an open tip. In another embodiment, theend 34 may include a blunt, closed tip with multiple small holes positioned around the circumference of theintraventricular catheter 30 for an initial length, such as one centimeter. It should be appreciated that it is not anticipated that theintraventricular catheter 30 will be subject to obstruction by the choroid plexus and ependymal tissue to the marked degree as are existing ventricular catheters in present use with traditional shunts. - The
housing 12 includes abase 40 and abody 42. The base 40 may include acircumferential rim 44 that provides an interface for sutures to be placed. In this manner, theIPPMD 10 may be secured to the pericranium P (best seen inFIG. 11 ), a fibrous membrane that is adherent to the outer surface of the skull S (best seen inFIG. 11 ). In one embodiment, thecircumferential rim 44 is 2 mm wide and 2 mm thick. The upper 1 mm thickness of this circumferential rim (i.e., the dorsal surface of the circumferential rim 44), may be comprised of silicone impregnated with the finemetallic particles 26, or other appropriate material. Accordingly, with the impregnated finemetallic particles 26, as will be discussed inFIG. 9 throughFIG. 11 , the position of thebase 40 of thehousing 12 may be detected by capacitive position sensors arranged in the floor of anaccessory device 36. - The one-
way valves chamber 24. Moreover, the one-way valves housing 12 includes avalve box 46, which has the two one-way valves valve box 46 may include a silicone-based construction. As previously discussed, in one embodiment, the one-way valve 16 is the passiveball check valve 20 and the one-way valve 18 is the passiveball check valve 22. Other kinds of one-way valves may be utilized such as miniature passive check valves, flap valves, membrane valves, cantilever valves, or Tesla valves. However, using passive ball check valves provides metal ball valves and springs that furnish the added advantage of being able to monitor transcutaneously the reciprocal movements of the balls with the external micro movement sensors of a tester, such as theaccessory device 36, as a test to determine whether or not theIPPMD 10 is functioning correctly. It should be appreciated that other features may be present with theIPPMD 10. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, thechamber 24 may be a tap chamber configured to accept a needle. - In operation, the one-
way valve 16, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule 14 to thechamber 24. In response to diastole, the one-way valve 16 blocks fluid communication between the vestibule 14 and thechamber 24. On the other hand, the one-way valve 18, in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from thechamber 24 to thevestibule 14. In response to systole, the one-way valve 18 blocks fluid communication between the vestibule 14 and thechamber 24. More particularly, fluid flows from the vestibule 14 to thechamber 24 during the latter part of systole, when the intraventricular pressure surpasses the pressure in thechamber 24, and fluid flows from thechamber 24 to the vestibule 14 during the early part of diastole, when the pressure in thechamber 24 is greater than the pressure in thevestibule 14. - As mentioned, the one-
way valve 16 may be the passiveball check valve 20 and the one-way valve 18 may be the passiveball check valve 22. In some embodiments, the passiveball check valve 20 may include abody 50 having achannel 52 with aninlet 54 andoutlet 56 therethrough. Theinlet 54 may be proximate the vestibule 14 and theoutlet 56 may be proximate thechamber 24. Aseat 58 intersects thebody 50 proximate theinlet 54. A mountingmember 60 secures aspring 62 to thebody 50 proximate theoutlet 56. Aball 64 is coupled to thespring 62 opposite the mountingmember 60 with thespring 62 biasing theball 64 into contact with theseat 58. It should be appreciated that thespring 62 may be positioned within thechannel 52 proximate theoutlet 56 and theball 64 interposed between thespring 62 and theseat 58. In this manner, thespring 62, theball 64, or thespring 62 and theball 64 may be floating. Theball 64, in response to a minimum inlet-to-outlet pressure, is displaced from theseat 58 to provide for fluid communication through thechannel 52 from theinlet 54 to theoutlet 56. The passiveball check valve 20 may include a cracking pressure equal to an intraventricular pulse pressure that displaces an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid. The cracking pressure may be a differential pressure between zero and the untreated intraventricular pulse pressure that allows for displacement of an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid. - In operation, the passive
ball check valve 20, in response to diastole, blocks fluid communication between the vestibule 14 and thechamber 24. The passiveball check valve 20, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule 14 to thechamber 24 upon an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid from a cerebral ventricle V (seeFIG. 11 ) entering theintraventricular catheter 30 and increasing pressure in thevestibule 14. - The passive
ball check valve 22 may be similar to the passiveball check valve 20. In one implementation, with respect to the passiveball check valve 22, abody 70 includes achannel 72 having aninlet 74 and anoutlet 76 therethrough with theinlet 74 being proximate thechamber 24 and theoutlet 76 proximate thevestibule 14. Aseat 78 intersects thebody 70 proximate theinlet 74 and a mountingmember 80 secures aspring 82 to thebody 70 proximate theoutlet 76. Aball 84 is coupled to thespring 82 opposite the mountingmember 80 such that thespring 82 biases theball 84 into contact with theseat 78. It should be appreciated that thespring 82 may be positioned within thechannel 72 proximate theoutlet 76 and theball 84 interposed between thespring 82 and theseat 78. In this manner, thespring 82, theball 84, or thespring 82 and theball 84 may be floating. Thespring 82, in response to a minimum inlet-to-outlet pressure, is displaced from theseat 78 to provide for fluid communication through thechannel 72 from theinlet 74 to theoutlet 76. The passiveball check valve 22 may have a cracking pressure equal to an intraventricular pulse pressure that displaces an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid. Moreover, the cracking pressure may be between the peak systolic pressure and minimum diastolic pressure. - In operation, the passive
ball check valve 22, in response to systole, blocks fluid communication between thetap chamber 24 and thevestibule 14. The passiveball check valve 22, in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from thechamber 24 to the vestibule 14 upon an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid from theintraventricular catheter 30 entering the cerebral ventricle V and decreasing a pressure in thevestibule 14. - During systole, the
IPPMD 10 allows only a small volume of CSF to enter theend 34 of theintraventricular catheter 30 and during diastole, another small volume of CSF (probably of equal volume) is pushed back into the cerebral ventricle V. In contrast, in traditional ventricular shunts, a small volume of CSF enters the shunt catheter in systole. However, in diastole, if the shunt is not siphoning (a problem that exists with most traditional shunts), CSF does not move in the reverse direction in the ventricular catheter because the shunts have a one-way valve. Unlike theIPPMD 10, no fluid is reintroduced into the cerebral ventricle V during diastole, and a staccato-like current of CSF is established in the ventricular catheter in a direction away from the cerebral ventricle V. Moreover, if the weight of the water in the peritoneal catheter of the traditional ventricular shunt can exert a negative pressure enough to overcome the opening pressure of the valve, CSF will flow away from the cerebral ventricle V, not only in systole, but also in diastole. In both situations, choroidal and ependymal tissue are sucked into the opening(s) of the ventricular catheter. Eventually, the ventricular catheter of traditional shunts may become obstructed. In fact, so-called “proximal shunt obstruction” (occlusion of the ventricular catheter) is the most common significant complication of traditional ventricular shunts. In contrast, there is no CSF current established within the ventricular catheter of theIPPMD 10, since the net directional flow of CSF over the entire cardiac cycle is zero. If theIPPMD 10 indeed has a significant lower risk/incidence of “proximal shunt obstruction,” this would be a remarkable advantage of this new device over traditional shunts. - Referring now to
FIG. 9 throughFIG. 12 , in some embodiments, in asystem 100, theaccessory device 36 includes ahousing 102 securing aprocessor 104,memory 106, andposition detectors 108 therein. Thehousing 102 of theaccessory device 36 may be sized for hand-held operation. Abusing architecture 110 communicatively interconnects theprocessor 104, thememory 106, and thecapacitive position detectors 108. One or morewireless transceivers 112 may be associated with thehousing 102 and coupled to thebusing architecture 110. Thewireless transceivers 112 may be configured to communicate with a computing device via a wireless protocol. Theprocessor 104 may process instructions for execution within theaccessory device 36 as a computing device, including instructions stored in thememory 106. Thememory 106 stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, thememory 106 may be a volatile memory unit or units, a non-volatile memory unit or units, capacity that is capable of providing mass storage, or a combination thereof. Further, theprocessor 104 and thememory 106 may be embodied as a microcontroller or a microprocessor. - The
position detectors 108 may includedevice position detectors 114 that are configured to detect the position of theaccessory device 36 with respect to theIPPMD 10. Theposition detectors 108 may also includevalve position detectors 116 that are configured to detect the position of the one-way valve 16 and the one-way valve 18. That is, theposition detectors 108 are configured to detect the alignment of theaccessory device 36 over theIPPMD 10 and, responsive to correct positioning, track the movement of the stainless steel balls, or balls of another suitable composition, within the one-way valves Audiovisual indicators 118, which provide data to the user, are associated with thehousing 102 and coupled to thebusing architecture 110. Theaudiovisual indicators 118 may include audio signals, visuals signals, or a combination thereof. - The
accessory device 36 may be a handheld accessory device that, in one embodiment, is shaped to be comfortable in a cupped hand of the care provider. The bottom of theaccessory device 36 may have a concave contour to accept the prominence of the dorsal surface of theIPPMD 10 under the patient's scalp. As mentioned, thedevice position detectors 114 may include multiple capacitive position sensors that are arranged within theaccessory device 36 in an array that mirrors thecircumferential rim 44 of thehousing 12. Also in theaccessory device 36 is the aforementioned circuitry, e.g., theprocessor 104 and thememory 106 that monitor the positioning of theaccessory device 36, once it has been placed over theIPPMD 10 and apower switch 120, for example, has been turned ON. Theaccessory device 36 may record the electrical signal from eachposition detector 108 and cause acolored LED 122, part of theaudiovisual indicators 118, to signal on the dorsal surface of theaccessory device 36 as an indication that theaccessory device 36 is over thecircumferential rim 44 of thehousing 12 with a green light, as opposed to not being over thecircumferential rim 44 with a red light. On the dorsal surface of theaccessory device 36, theaudiovisual indicators 118, which may also be LED lights, are arranged in two concentric shapes that mimic thecircumferential rim 44 of thehousing 12. The care provider carefully adjusts the position of theaccessory device 36 so that all of theaudiovisual indicators 118 are green. Once all of theappropriate position detectors 108 are over thehousing 12, theprocessor 104 turns on an orange (or other color) central visual LED light, which is part of theaudiovisual indicators 118, apparent to the care provider, to indicate that approximately ten (10) or more, for example, cardiac cycles are being examined by tracking the reciprocal movements of theballs valve position detectors 116, which may be two micro motion detectors, arranged within theaccessory device 36, so that thevalve position detectors 116 are in the sagittal plane of its respective passiveball check valve seat ball check valve balls ball check valves - In another embodiment, with reference to
FIG. 13 andFIG. 14 , ultrasound may be an equally effective method to detect and quantify movement of theballs ball check valves balls metal balls ultrasound probe 140, which may be handheld with ahousing 141 andcabling 143, over theIPPMD 10 to locate the passiveball check valves balls accessory device 36 having ultrasound capabilities, theultrasound probe 140 is configured to track the movement of the one-way valves transducer probe 142 is coupled to aswitch 144 which, in turn, is connected to atransmitter 146 and areceiver 148. When actuated by theswitch 144, thetransmitter 146 applies transducer waveforms to thetransducer probe 142, thereby causing thetransducer probe 142 to emit beams ofultrasonic energy 148 directed along selected scan lines. Returningechoes 150 are received from theballs ball check valves switch 144, thereceiver 148 processes the returningechoes 150 via a B-mode processor 152 and aDoppler processor 154. The B-mode processor 152 produces output signals indicative of an intensity of the returningechoes 150 and theDoppler processor 154 produces output signals indicative of a Doppler parameter such as Doppler velocity or Doppler energy along the selected scan lines. The output signals from the B-mode processor 152 and theDoppler processor 154 are applied to anencoder 156 that generates composite data which is transformed into an image by animage generator 158. It should be appreciated that although aparticular ultrasound probe 140 is presented herein, other types of ultrasound probes are within the teachings of the present invention presented herein. - Moreover, regardless of the embodiment, the
accessory device 36, and, in particular, the accessory device ofFIG. 9 throughFIG. 12 , may have wireless capabilities, such as Bluetooth capabilities, so that the measurement data can be transferred to a nearby computer for sophisticated evaluation and documentation. In this way, the care provider will be provided information about whether the passiveball check valves IPPMD 10. - The
IPPMD 10 may include both intracranial and extracranial components. The intracranial component is theintraventricular catheter 30, a radio-opaque silicone catheter, which would be introduced through a burr hole B in the skull S into a cerebral ventricle V from any of the standard ventricular shunt locations. The proximal end of theintraventricular catheter 30 may have a 90° turn at 124 as it exits the skull S and connects to the extracranial component of theIPPMD 10. In some embodiments, this extracranial component consists entirely of thehousing 12, which may be made of silicone and has a small (2×3 cm) footprint and a profile with a maximal height of 1 cm. It should be appreciated, however, that the form factor and size may vary depending on the application. - During cardiac systole, the pressure in the cerebral ventricle V increases higher than the pressure in the
intraventricular catheter 30, causing an aliquot of CSF to move into the catheter. This, in turn, causes all of the respective CSF aliquots above the first one (just inside the catheter tip) to move toward the vestibule 14 and the vestibular ends of the two passiveball check valves chamber 24, and CSF flows across the passiveball check valve 20 into thechamber 24 as long as the passiveball check valve 20 remains open. As the cardiac cycle progresses into diastole, the pressure in the cerebral ventricle drops below the pressure in thechamber 24, which closes the passiveball check valve 20 and opens the second passiveball check valve 22, thereby allowing CSF to move back into the cerebral ventricle V during diastole. To summarize, the peak systolic pressure is initially reduced by the flow of an aliquot of CSF from the cerebral ventricle V into theIPPMD 10. In diastole, a CSF aliquot flows back into the cerebral ventricle V, thereby raising the diastolic pressure, which reduces the pulse pressure (PP) yet again. This can be appreciated mathematically with the following: -
PP=peak systolic pressure−lowest diastolic pressure - Accordingly, PP is decreased twice with every cardiac cycle. Initially in systole, it is decreased by reducing the peak systolic pressure; and in diastole, by increasing the lowest diastolic pressure. Both mechanisms collectively serve to decrease PP. The mean intraventricular pressure is the same with or without the device. In contrast, traditional ventricular shunts reduce only the systolic pressure and do not affect the diastolic pressure, unless the shunt is siphoning. With siphoning, the diastolic pressure would decrease, thereby increasing PP—an undesirable effect. By decreasing the IVPP, the
IPPMD 10 may more effectively treat hydrocephalus, as compared to both non-siphoning and siphoning traditional VP shunts. Moreover, thisIPPMD 10 does not depend on complicated electronic micro pumps, microcontrollers, balloons, transmitters, or other technology to achieve pulse pressure reductions. In contrast, in some embodiments, theIPPMD 10 has only four moving parts within the passiveball check valves balls springs IPPMD 10 can be made smaller without much effort. - Moreover, clinical functioning of the
IPPMD 10 can be assessed with theaccessory device 36, a tester that tracks the reciprocal movements of theballs chamber 24 in order to measure pressure and aspirate CSF for laboratory analysis and culture. - The length of the
intraventricular catheter 30 deserves comment. One embodiment is to provide the IPPMD 10 with a single, longintraventricular catheter 30 with a single end opening, and the surgeon can cut it to the correct length according to the patient's anatomy. Other embodiments may offer theIPPMD 10 with various lengths ofintraventricular catheter 30, and the surgeon can pick the best one for the job. The disadvantage of the former embodiment is that the surgeon may not make a clean cut of theintraventricular catheter 30, and the tip of theintraventricular catheter 30 may have a ragged, or even sharp edge (if the cut is not perpendicular to the axis of the tube). One solution is to provide a simple, plastic cutter tool with a slot for theintraventricular catheter 30 to be cut by a guillotine-like blade (or another device that insures a clean, perpendicular cut) with each IPPMD 10 manufactured with long catheters for the surgeon to trim to size. Furthermore, it is suggested that the ventricular catheter be manufactured as a contiguous component of theIPPMD 10 to avoid assembling of theventricular catheter 30 to thehousing 12 by the surgeon during surgery, thereby eliminating a connection site that commonly breaks. - The order of execution or performance of the methods and process flows illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and process flows may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution.
- While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.
Claims (20)
1. A system for treating hydrocephalus, the system comprising:
an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator including:
a housing sized for superjacent contact with a skull, the housing securing a vestibule, first and second passive ball check valves, and a chamber therein, the housing including fine metallic particles impregnated therein;
the vestibule having a receiving member configured to couple to an intraventricular catheter;
the first and second passive ball check valves being interposed in parallel between the vestibule and the chamber, the first and second passive ball check valves being positioned with opposing orientations;
the first passive ball check valve, in response to systole, providing fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber; and
the second passive ball check valve, in response to diastole, providing fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule; and
an accessory device including:
a housing securing a processor, a memory, and a plurality of position detectors therein;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, and the position detectors; and
the position detectors configured to track the movement of the first and second passive ball check valves.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a valve box, the valve box housing the first passive ball check valve and the second passive ball check valve therein.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first passive ball check valve further comprises:
a body including a channel having an inlet and an outlet therethrough, the inlet being proximate the vestibule and the outlet being proximate the chamber;
a seat intersecting the body proximate the inlet;
a spring positioned within the channel proximate the outlet;
a ball interposed between the spring and the seat;
the spring biasing the ball into contact with the seat;
the spring, in response to a minimum inlet-to-outlet pressure, being displaced from the seat to provide for fluid communication through the channel from the inlet to the outlet.
4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first passive ball check valve further comprises a cracking pressure equal to an intraventricular pulse pressure that displaces an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid.
5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first passive ball check valve further comprises a cracking pressure between the peak intraventricular systolic pressure and minimum intraventricular diastolic pressure.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second passive ball check valve further comprises:
a body including a channel having an inlet and an outlet therethrough, the inlet being proximate the chamber and the outlet proximate the vestibule;
a seat intersecting the body proximate the inlet;
a spring positioned within the channel proximate the outlet;
a ball interposed between the spring and the seat;
the spring biasing the ball into contact with the seat;
the spring, in response to a minimum inlet-to-outlet pressure, being displaced from the seat to provide for fluid communication through the channel from the inlet to the outlet.
7. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second passive ball check valve further comprises a cracking pressure equal to an intraventricular pulse pressure that displaces an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid.
8. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first passive ball check valve, in response to diastole, blocks fluid communication between the vestibule and the chamber.
9. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first passive ball check valve, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber upon an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid from a cerebral ventricle entering the intraventricular catheter and increasing a pressure in the vestibule.
10. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second passive ball check valve, in response to systole, blocks fluid communication between the chamber and the vestibule.
11. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second passive ball check valve, in response to the reduction of intraventricular pressure during diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule upon an aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid from the intraventricular catheter entering a cerebral ventricle and decreasing a pressure in the vestibule.
12. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises fine metallic particles impregnated therein.
13. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the chamber further comprises a tap chamber configured to accept a needle.
14. A system for treating hydrocephalus, the system comprising:
an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator including:
a housing sized for superjacent contact with a skull, the housing securing a vestibule, first and second one-way valves, and a chamber therein, the housing including fine metallic particles impregnated therein;
the vestibule having a receiving member configured to couple to an intraventricular catheter;
the first and second one-way valves being interposed in parallel between the vestibule and the chamber, the first and second one-way valves being positioned with opposing orientations;
the first one-way valve, in response to systole, providing fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber; and
the second one-way valve, in response to diastole, providing fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule; and
an accessory device including:
a housing securing a processor, a memory, and a plurality of position detectors therein;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, and the position detectors; and
the position detectors configured to track the movement of the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve.
15. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the housing of the accessory device is sized for handheld operation.
16. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the accessory device further comprises a wireless transceiver associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a computing device via a wireless protocol.
17. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the accessory device further comprises visual indicators associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture.
18. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the position detectors of the accessory device are configured to detect alignment of the accessory device over the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator.
19. A system for treating hydrocephalus, the system comprising:
an implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator including:
a housing sized for superjacent contact with a skull, the housing securing a vestibule, first and second one-way valves, and a chamber therein, the housing including fine metallic particles impregnated therein;
the vestibule having a receiving member configured to couple to an intraventricular catheter;
the first and second one-way valves being interposed in parallel between the vestibule and the chamber, the first and second one-way valves being positioned with opposing orientations;
the first one-way valve, in response to systole, providing fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber; and
the second one-way valve, in response to diastole, providing fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule; and
an accessory device including an ultrasound probe configured to track the movement of the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve.
20. The system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the accessory device is sized for handheld operation.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/866,350 US11103683B1 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2020-05-04 | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same |
US17/407,999 US11389630B2 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2021-08-20 | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202062972617P | 2020-02-10 | 2020-02-10 | |
US16/866,350 US11103683B1 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2020-05-04 | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/407,999 Continuation US11389630B2 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2021-08-20 | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210244922A1 true US20210244922A1 (en) | 2021-08-12 |
US11103683B1 US11103683B1 (en) | 2021-08-31 |
Family
ID=77178843
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/866,350 Active US11103683B1 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2020-05-04 | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same |
US17/407,999 Active US11389630B2 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2021-08-20 | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/407,999 Active US11389630B2 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2021-08-20 | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US11103683B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4103052A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021163122A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023155565A1 (en) * | 2022-02-16 | 2023-08-24 | 首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院 | Corneal path one-way aqueous humor drainage device |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20240148587A1 (en) | 2022-11-07 | 2024-05-09 | Frederick H. Sklar | Base station assembly for an operating room table |
Family Cites Families (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH579899A5 (en) | 1974-03-07 | 1976-09-30 | Etat De Vaud Departement De L | |
US3958558A (en) | 1974-09-16 | 1976-05-25 | Huntington Institute Of Applied Medical Research | Implantable pressure transducer |
US4281667A (en) | 1976-06-21 | 1981-08-04 | Cosman Eric R | Single diaphragm telemetric differential pressure sensing system |
US4681559A (en) * | 1985-12-23 | 1987-07-21 | Cordis Corporation | Plural valve three stage pressure relief system |
US5326374A (en) | 1992-12-01 | 1994-07-05 | Michael N. Ilbawi | Body-implantable device for controlling the size of a fluid passageway |
CA2574679C (en) | 2004-07-20 | 2013-06-04 | Medtronic, Inc. | Implantable cerebral spinal fluid drainage device and method of draining cerebral spinal fluid |
US7510533B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2009-03-31 | Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. | Pressure sensing valve |
DE102005020569B4 (en) | 2005-04-30 | 2010-08-05 | Aesculap Ag | Implantable device for detecting intracorporeal pressures |
ATE385194T1 (en) | 2005-08-02 | 2008-02-15 | Moeller Medical Gmbh & Co Kg | CSF DRAINAGE SYSTEM |
US7742815B2 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2010-06-22 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | Using implanted sensors for feedback control of implanted medical devices |
US10478555B2 (en) * | 2006-08-17 | 2019-11-19 | Milan Radojicic | Systems and methods for lumbar cerebrospinal fluid access and treatment |
US8123714B2 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2012-02-28 | Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. | Programmable shunt with electromechanical valve actuator |
US20090204019A1 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-08-13 | Alec Ginggen | Combined Pressure and Flow Sensor Integrated in a Shunt System |
US8926515B2 (en) | 2008-05-15 | 2015-01-06 | Uab Vittamed | Method and apparatus for continuously monitoring intracranial pressure |
US20110066072A1 (en) | 2009-09-11 | 2011-03-17 | Drexel University | Intracranial pressure sensor |
JP5511486B2 (en) * | 2010-04-26 | 2014-06-04 | 康雄 藍原 | Shunt valve for hydrocephalus treatment |
US8876744B2 (en) * | 2011-03-04 | 2014-11-04 | Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation | Systems and methods for controlling cerebrospinal fluid in a subject's ventricular system |
ITMI20120097A1 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2013-07-28 | Siad Healthcare Spa | IMPLANTABLE IMPROVED DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALIC PATHOLOGY AND CORRESPONDING METHOD |
US11529443B2 (en) * | 2015-12-28 | 2022-12-20 | Cognos Therapeutics Inc. | Apparatus and method for cerebral microdialysis to treat neurological disease, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis |
US11565091B2 (en) | 2016-11-16 | 2023-01-31 | Ramot At Tel-Aviv University Ltd. | Intracranial volume adaptor for cerebral blood flow |
EP3634564B1 (en) | 2017-06-07 | 2023-11-22 | Frederick H. Sklar | Apparatus for minimally-invasive prevention and treatment of hydrocephalus |
WO2019241753A1 (en) * | 2018-06-15 | 2019-12-19 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Re-wearable physiological monitoring device |
-
2020
- 2020-05-04 US US16/866,350 patent/US11103683B1/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-02-10 EP EP21754504.5A patent/EP4103052A4/en active Pending
- 2021-02-10 WO PCT/US2021/017365 patent/WO2021163122A1/en unknown
- 2021-08-20 US US17/407,999 patent/US11389630B2/en active Active
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023155565A1 (en) * | 2022-02-16 | 2023-08-24 | 首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院 | Corneal path one-way aqueous humor drainage device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP4103052A1 (en) | 2022-12-21 |
US11389630B2 (en) | 2022-07-19 |
EP4103052A4 (en) | 2024-03-27 |
US20210379345A1 (en) | 2021-12-09 |
WO2021163122A1 (en) | 2021-08-19 |
US11103683B1 (en) | 2021-08-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20190282201A1 (en) | Ultrasound stylet | |
US11389630B2 (en) | Implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator and system and method for use of same | |
US6328694B1 (en) | Ultrasound apparatus and method for tissue resonance analysis | |
US6702743B2 (en) | Ultrasound apparatus and method for tissue resonance analysis | |
CA3038668C (en) | Ultra-sound compatible artificial cranial prosthesis with customized platforms | |
EP3154424B1 (en) | Apparatus for detecting increase in intracranial pressure | |
US10478555B2 (en) | Systems and methods for lumbar cerebrospinal fluid access and treatment | |
US9138568B2 (en) | CSF shunt flow enhancer, method for generating CSF flow in shunts and assessment of partial and complete occlusion of CSF shunt systems | |
US20090177279A1 (en) | Medical oscillating compliance devices and uses thereof | |
US20200375745A1 (en) | Ultra-sound compatible artificial cranial prosthesis with customized platforms | |
US11324933B2 (en) | Apparatus for minimally-invasive prevention and treatment of hydrocephalus and method for use of same | |
EP4208218A1 (en) | Body fluid management systems for patient care | |
US20180214117A1 (en) | Apparatus and methods for detecting increase in brain swelling and/or shifting | |
Fischer et al. | Transcranial Doppler and real-time cranial sonography in neonatal hydrocephalus | |
US10695484B1 (en) | Systems and methods for lumbar cerebrospinal fluid access and treatment | |
Webster et al. | Intracranial pressure sensor and valve to control hydrocephalus | |
RU2306958C2 (en) | Catheter for long-time catheterization of main vessels and their branches | |
CN217430544U (en) | Left heart drainage tube placed through deep percutaneous vein | |
Xie et al. | Techniques in Measuring Intraocular and Intracranial Pressure Gradients | |
Aniagyei-Mensah | Noninvasive Detection of Central Venous Waveform Using Photoplethysmography | |
Johnson et al. | The subarachnoid screw | |
Prabhakar | Intracranial Pressure Monitoring |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: SMAL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |