Devices and method for removing cerebrospinal fluids from a patient's CSF space
First Claim
1. A method for reducing the level of toxic substances in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a patient, said method comprising:
- identifying a patient suffering from a condition related to the retention and accumulation of toxic substances in the CSF; and
establishing a drain path from a CSF space of the patient, wherein said drain path will remove CSF at a rate in the range from 0.01 ml/minute to 0.2 ml/minute while pressure in the CSF space varies from −
170 mm H2O to 200 mm H2O.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for removing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient at relatively constant flow rates for patients having normal intracranial pressures, e.g. patients not suffering from hydrocephalus. The devices and methods provide drainage paths which permit the removal of CSF at relatively low flow rates, usually below 0.2 ml/min, at normal intracranial pressures, e.g. an intracranial pressure between −170 mm of H2O in upright patients and 200 mm of H2O in reclining patients. The removal of CSF at relatively low, constant rates is particularly suitable for treating Alzheimer'"'"'s disease and other conditions related to the presence of toxic and/or pathogenic substances in the CSF.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method for reducing the level of toxic substances in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a patient, said method comprising:
-
identifying a patient suffering from a condition related to the retention and accumulation of toxic substances in the CSF; and
establishing a drain path from a CSF space of the patient, wherein said drain path will remove CSF at a rate in the range from 0.01 ml/minute to 0.2 ml/minute while pressure in the CSF space varies from −
170 mm H2O to 200 mm H2O.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. Apparatus for draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient, said apparatus comprising:
-
an access component having an inlet and an outlet; and
a flow control component connectable to the outlet of the access component to establish a drain path, wherein said flow control component is adapted to control the CSF flow rate in the range from 0.01 ml/minute to 0.2 ml/minute while pressure in the CSF space varies from −
170 mm H2O to 200 mm H2O.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. Apparatus for draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient'"'"'s brain, said apparatus comprising:
-
an access component having an inlet and an outlet; and
a diaphragm valve connectable to the outlet of the access component and including a pressure-responsive diaphragm, a contoured plug, and an orifice which receives the contoured plug and permits the flow of CSF therethrough, wherein one of the plug and orifice is coupled to the diaphragm so that the plug and orifice will move reflective to each other in response to changes in pressure of CSF from the outlet of the access component against the diaphragm, wherein the contoured plug has a profile adapted to control the CSF flow rate through the orifice in the range from 0.01 ml/minute to 0.2 ml/minute while pressure in the CSF space varies from −
170 mm H2O to 200 mm H2O.- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification