Implantable cerebral spinal fluid drainage device and method of draining cerebral spinal fluid

• US 7,309,330 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bertrand, William J., Harper, Derek J., Speckman, Lori Cone, Kiehl, Andrew R., Scheer, Ron D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAPMAN, GINGER T
• Application Number:
  US11/185,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 604/317, 604/128, 604/323, 604/8, 604/9
• US Class Current: 604/317
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0464 Cerebrospinal fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3515 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/08 Other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/62 Posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/006 Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves

Abstract

The invention provides a drainage system that includes a ventricular catheter, a drainage catheter, and a positive displacement pump that can function to actively drain CSF from the ventricles of the brain of a patient. Methods of using a drainage system in accordance with the invention are also provided, as well as kits.

Claims

1. A method of controlling flow of cerebral spinal fluid comprising the steps of:

implanting a drainage system to a cavity in a patient, wherein said drainage system comprises;

a ventricular catheter;

a positive displacement pump, coupled to the ventricular catheter, that can function to actively drain CSF from the ventricles of the brain of a patient;

a continually open drainage catheter coupled between the pump and the cavity; and

monitoring at least one control factor; and

controlling flow of CSF through the pump based at least in part on the monitored control factor.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one control factor comprises symptoms or changes in symptoms of the patient, the time of day, circadian rhythms of the patient, the occurrence of various sleep patterns, the cardiac cycle, an accelerometer that is monitoring the patient, the intracranial pressure of the patient, or some combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring step is done before the implanting step.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the implanting step is done before the monitoring step.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring step is done both before and after the implanting step.