Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation system having thermal flow and flow rate measurement pad using a plurality of control sensors
First Claim
1. An apparatus for evaluating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate or flow status in a CSF shunt applied to the body of a patient for transmitting said CSF between first and second locations of said body, said apparatus comprising:
- a single pad that is adapted to be placed against the skin of a patient over the location of the CSF shunt, said pad comprising a plurality of temperature sensors that are configured to be aligned in a first direction that is transverse to the CSF shunt and wherein one of said plurality of temperature sensors is configured to be aligned with the CSF shunt, each of said temperature sensors configured to generate respective temperature data, said plurality of sensors comprising three temperature sensors and wherein said one of said plurality of sensors is located between the other two temperature sensors; and
a sensor processing device that is electrically coupled to said pad for receiving temperature data from each of said temperature sensors, said sensor processing device using said temperature data to determine a flow rate or flow status of said CSF through said shunt when a temperature source is applied to said pad, and wherein said sensor processing device is configured to obtain said temperature data and is configured to generate a resultant temperature signal;
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for testing for the presence, absence and/or rate of flow in a shunt tubing implanted under the skin by using a measurement pad having a plurality of temperature sensors, one of which is aligned with the shunt and the other sensors being symmetrically displaced on either side of the first temperature sensor in a direction transverse to the shunt tubing. These “outer” temperature sensors act as control temperature sensors. A temperature source, e.g., a cooling agent, positioned within an insulated enclosure, is then applied at a predetermined location on the measurement pad that is insulated from the temperature sensors. The movement of this temperature “pulse” is detected by the shunt-aligned temperature sensor via the shunt tubing as the CSF carries the temperature pulse while the control sensors detect the pulse via convection through the skin. The temperature data from these sensors are provided to a CSF analyzer that determines a CSF shunt flow status or flow rate.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for evaluating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate or flow status in a CSF shunt applied to the body of a patient for transmitting said CSF between first and second locations of said body, said apparatus comprising:
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a single pad that is adapted to be placed against the skin of a patient over the location of the CSF shunt, said pad comprising a plurality of temperature sensors that are configured to be aligned in a first direction that is transverse to the CSF shunt and wherein one of said plurality of temperature sensors is configured to be aligned with the CSF shunt, each of said temperature sensors configured to generate respective temperature data, said plurality of sensors comprising three temperature sensors and wherein said one of said plurality of sensors is located between the other two temperature sensors; and a sensor processing device that is electrically coupled to said pad for receiving temperature data from each of said temperature sensors, said sensor processing device using said temperature data to determine a flow rate or flow status of said CSF through said shunt when a temperature source is applied to said pad, and wherein said sensor processing device is configured to obtain said temperature data and is configured to generate a resultant temperature signal; - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for evaluating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate or flow status in a CSF shunt applied to the body of a patient for transmitting said CSF between first and second locations of said body, said apparatus comprising:
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a single pad that is adapted to be placed against the skin of a patient over the location of the CSF shunt, said pad comprising a plurality of temperature sensors that are configured to be aligned in a first direction and wherein one of said plurality of temperature sensors is configured to be aligned with the CSF shunt, each of said temperature sensors configured to generate respective temperature data; a sensor processing device that is electrically coupled to said pad for receiving temperature data from each of said temperature sensors, said sensor processing device using said temperature data to determine a flow rate or flow status of said CSF through said shunt when a temperature source is applied to said pad; and an insulated enclosure, said insulated enclosure adapted for receiving the temperature source and wherein said insulated enclosure, along with said temperature source, is positioned within an opening in said pad for applying a temperature spike or wave against the skin over the CSF shunt and not through the air. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for evaluating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate or flow status in a CSF shunt, said method comprising:
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applying a plurality of temperature sensors against the skin over the location of the CSF shunt and aligned in a first direction, and wherein only one of said plurality of temperature sensors is aligned with the CSF shunt; applying a temperature source over the CSF shunt and upstream of said plurality of temperature sensors for a predetermined period; collecting temperature data from said plurality of temperature sensors after said predetermined period of time has elapsed; generating a resultant temperature signal; and determining a flow rate or flow status of the CSF through the shunt from said resultant temperature signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification