FAILURE RESISTANT SHUNT

• US 20130197422A1
• Filed: 03/21/2011
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Washington
• Original Assignee: UW Center for Commercialization
• Inventors: Browd, Samuel R., Lutz, Barry R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,662,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0003 having an additional lumen transmitting fluid pressure to the outside for measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/006 Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83

Abstract

Drainage systems for excess body fluids and associated methods are disclosed herein. A body fluid drainage system in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a catheter that has an exterior surface, a proximal portion, and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion. The body fluid drainage system can further include a valve device, a pressure sensor, and a controller operatively coupled to the valve device and the pressure sensor. The valve device can include an actuator positioned over the exterior surface of the catheter. The actuator is movable between an open position that allows body fluid flow through the catheter, a closed position that at least substantially obstructs the body fluid flow through the catheter, and intermediate positions that partially obstruct the body fluid flow through the catheter. The controller can change the position of the actuator in response to a predetermined condition of the pressure sensor.

Claims

1. A body fluid drainage system, comprising:

a catheter having an exterior surface, a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion;

a valve device having an actuator over the exterior surface of the catheter, the actuator being movable between an open position that allows body fluid flow through the catheter, a closed position that at least substantially obstructs the body fluid flow through the catheter, and intermediate positions that partially obstruct the body fluid flow through the catheter;

a pressure sensor; and

a controller operatively coupled to the valve device and the pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured to the position of the actuator in response to a predetermined condition of the pressure sensor.

2. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a reservoir between the proximal and distal portions of the catheter, the reservoir having a cross-sectional dimension greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the proximal and distal portions of the catheter.

3. The body fluid drainage system of claim 2 wherein the actuator is a first actuator, the first actuator is over the proximal portion of the catheter, and wherein the valve device further comprises:

a second actuator over the distal portion of the catheter, the second actuator being movable between the open position, the closed position, and the intermediate positions; and

a third actuator at an exterior surface of the reservoir, wherein the third actuator is configured to be movable between at least the open position and the closed position, wherein the controller is configured to change the position of the first, second, and third actuators independently of one another.

4. The body fluid drainage system of claim 2 wherein the proximal portion, the distal portion, and the reservoir are a single lumen.

5. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the valve device comprises at least one pinch valve.

6. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises at least one of a linear actuator, a cam actuator, and a lever actuator.

7. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the valve device comprises an interface member between the actuator and the exterior surface of the catheter.

8. The body fluid drainage system of claim 7 wherein the interface member comprises a compliant member.

9. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a magnetic shield over the valve device and the controller, the magnetic shield at least substantially obstructing magnetic interference with the valve device and the controller.

10. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the catheter comprises peristaltic pump tubing proximate to the actuator.

11. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the actuator is a first actuator, and wherein the body fluid drainage system further comprises:

a reservoir between the proximal and distal portions of the catheter, the reservoir having a cross-sectional dimension greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the catheter, wherein the reservoir has a first length; and

a second actuator over the exterior surface of the reservoir, the second actuator having a second length substantially equal to the first length such that the second actuator compresses the reservoir substantially along the first length.

12. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the actuator fails in the open position.

13. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to change the position of the actuator in response to at least one of a predetermined intracranial pressure and a predetermined body fluid flow rate through the catheter.

14. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1, further comprising an orientation sensor operably coupled to the controller, wherein the orientation sensor is configured to monitor positional changes of the body fluid drainage system.

15. The body fluid drainage system of claim 14 wherein the orientation sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer and an inclinometer.

16. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor is a first pressure sensor, and wherein the body fluid drainage system further comprises:

a tube having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;

an end cap at the first end portion;

a second pressure sensor at the second end portion; and

a reference fluid in the tube, the reference fluid having a density substantially similar to a density of body fluid.

17. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller interface coupled to the controller, the controller interface being configured to selectively monitor at least one of intracranial pressure and body fluid flow rate.

18. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication link coupled to the controller.

19. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1 wherein the catheter comprises an antibiotic impregnated material.

20. The body fluid drainage system of claim 1, further comprising an electro-osmotic pump coupled to the catheter and configured to increase body fluid flow rate through the catheter.

21-61. -61. (canceled)