Cerebral spinal fluid flow sensing device
First Claim
1. :
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) shunt system comprising;
a ventricular catheter;
a drainage catheter;
a flow control valve coupled between the ventricular catheter and the drainage catheter, wherein the ventricular catheter, the flow control valve and the drainage catheter define a CSF flow path; and
a CSF flow sensor positioned to sense flow within the CSF flow path, the CSF flow sensor having a tube in fluid communication with an output of the ventricular catheter and an input of the flow control valve, and an optical sensor that senses CSF flow within the tube.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to an implantable device for sensing CSF flow through an implantable ventricular shunt. The sensing device is implanted with the CSF shunt, and includes a flow sensor to sense flow rate or shunt blockage. The sensing device is either placed within or adjacent to the fluid path through the shunt. The sensing device transmits the sensed flow rate to an external monitoring device by wireless telemetry. The sensing device may be integrally formed as part of the shunt, or clamped onto a portion of the shunt, in which case the sensing device may be resusable. An external monitor receives the transmitted flow signal and presents information based on the flow signal. The sensing device may be inductively powered or include its own power supply.
146 Citations
36 Claims
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1. :
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) shunt system comprising;
a ventricular catheter;
a drainage catheter;
a flow control valve coupled between the ventricular catheter and the drainage catheter, wherein the ventricular catheter, the flow control valve and the drainage catheter define a CSF flow path; and
a CSF flow sensor positioned to sense flow within the CSF flow path, the CSF flow sensor having a tube in fluid communication with an output of the ventricular catheter and an input of the flow control valve, and an optical sensor that senses CSF flow within the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) shunt system comprising;
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5. (canceled)
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10. :
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) shunt system comprising;
a ventricular catheter;
a drainage catheter;
a flow control valve coupled between the ventricular catheter and the drainage catheter, wherein the ventricular catheter, the flow control valve and the drainage catheter define a CSF flow path; and
a CSF flow sensor configured to attach to a portion of the CSF flow path to sense flow within the CSF flow path. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) shunt system comprising;
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13. (canceled)
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21. :
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow sensor for sensing CSF flow within a ventricular shunt, the sensor comprising;
a sensor housing;
a tube within the sensor housing to receive CSF from a flow path within a CSF shunt;
an optical sensor, mounted within the housing, to sense CSF flow within the tube;
a wireless telemetry interface, mounted within the housing, to transmit information based on the sensed CSF flow to an external monitor; and
an inductive power interface, mounted within the housing, to receive power from an external device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 26)
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow sensor for sensing CSF flow within a ventricular shunt, the sensor comprising;
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25. (canceled)
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27. :
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow sensor for sensing CSF flow within a ventricular shunt, the sensor comprising;
a sensor housing configured to attach to a portion of a CSF flow path within a CSF shunt;
a sensor, mounted within the housing, to sense flow of CSF within the flow path;
a wireless telemetry interface, mounted within the housing, to transmit information based on the sensed CSF flow to an external monitor; and
an inductive power interface, mounted within the housing, to receive power from an external device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 31)
- A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow sensor for sensing CSF flow within a ventricular shunt, the sensor comprising;
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30. (canceled)
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32. :
- A method for sensing CSF flow in a ventricular shunt system, the method comprising;
attaching a CSF flow sensor to a portion of a CSF flow path defined by a ventricular catheter, flow control valve and drainage catheter, wherein the portion of the flow path is substantially transmissive to light;
telemetrically powering the CSF flow sensor to optically sense CSF flowing through the flow path; and
receiving CSF flow information from the CSF flow sensor via wireless telemetry. - View Dependent Claims (33, 35)
- A method for sensing CSF flow in a ventricular shunt system, the method comprising;
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34. (canceled)
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36-39. -39. (canceled)
Specification