Systems, devices, and methods including infection-fighting and monitoring shunts
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implantable shunt system, comprising:
- one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject; and
one or more energy emitters configured to emit an energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.
141 Citations
754 Claims
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1. An implantable shunt system, comprising:
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one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject; and one or more energy emitters configured to emit an energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306)
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2. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver at least one of an electromagnetic stimulus, an electrical stimulus, an ultrasonic stimulus, and a thermal stimulus.
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3. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver at least one of a pulsed electromagnetic stimulus, a pulsed electrical stimulus, a pulsed ultrasonic stimulus, and a pulsed thermal stimulus.
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4. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
- wherein the first energy stimulus comprises an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
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5. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to provide an illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an illumination intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission wavelength, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, and a pulse frequency different from the first region.
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6. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver one or more electromagnetic stimuli, electrical stimuli, ultrasonic stimuli, or thermal stimuli.
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7. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver an electromagnetic stimulus, in vivo, to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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8. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver an electrical stimulus, in vivo, to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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9. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver an ultrasonic stimulus, in vivo, to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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10. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a thermal stimulus, in vivo, to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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11. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to emit an energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of an infectious agent within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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12. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to emit an energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of a pathogen within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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13. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver an energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce poration of a plasma membrane in at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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14. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are operable to emit a sufficient amount of an energy stimulus to increase the temperature of at least a portion of a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways by about 5°
- C. to about 20°
C.
- C. to about 20°
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15. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are operable to emit a sufficient amount of an energy stimulus to increase the temperature of at least a portion of a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways by about 5°
- C. to about 6°
C.
- C. to about 6°
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16. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein an operational fluence of the one or more energy emitters is less than about 80 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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17. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein an operational fluence of the one or more energy emitters is less than about 35 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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18. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein an operational fluence of the one or more energy emitters is less than about 15 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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19. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein an average energy density of the one or more energy emitters ranges from about less than about 15 milli-joules per square centimeter to about less than about 80 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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20. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to provide a spatially patterned energy stimulus.
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21. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to provide a spatially patterned energy stimulus having at least a first region and a second region different from the first region, wherein the first regions comprises one of a spatially patterned electromagnetic energy stimulus, a spatially patterned electrical energy stimulus, a spatially patterned ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a spatially patterned thermal energy stimulus, and the second region comprises a different one of a spatially patterned electromagnetic energy stimulus, a spatially patterned electrical energy stimulus, a spatially patterned ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a spatially patterned thermal energy stimulus.
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22. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters includes a patterned energy-emitting source.
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23. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters includes a patterned light-emitting source.
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24. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters includes a patterned electrode.
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25. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters includes a transducer.
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26. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters includes a heat source.
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27. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to deliver an energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to provide a spatially patterned energy stimulus.
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28. The implantable shunt system of claim 25, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more energy emitters, the controller configured to control at least one parameter associated with the delivery of the spatially patterned energy stimulus.
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29. The implantable shunt system of claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of
an energy stimulus delivery regimen, a spaced-apart energy stimulus delivery pattern, a spatial energy stimulus modulation, a spatial energy stimulus temporal modulation, a spatial energy stimulus magnitude, a spatial-pattern stimulation configuration, and a spatial energy stimulus distribution associated with the delivery of the energy stimulus. -
30. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a spatially focused energy stimulus.
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31. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a spatially collimated energy stimulus.
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32. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is photonically coupleable to an interior of one or more of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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33. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is photonically coupleable to an exterior of one or more of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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34. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is photonically coupleable, via one or more waveguides, to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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35. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to emit an energy stimulus from an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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36. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that permits the transmission of at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus from an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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37. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to emit an energy stimulus having one or more peak emission wavelengths in the x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, near infrared, terahertz, microwave, or radio frequency spectrum.
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38. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver one or more charged particles.
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39. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters include one or more lasers, laser diodes, light-emitting diodes, arc flashlamps, incandescent emitters, or continuous wave bulbs.
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40. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters include one or more light-emitting diodes, quantum dots, organic light-emitting diodes, microcavity light-emitting diodes, or polymer light-emitting diodes.
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41. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to provide a voltage across at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the voltage of sufficient strength or duration so as to exceed a nominal dielectric strength of at least one cell plasma membrane.
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42. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to provide a voltage across at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the voltage of sufficient strength or duration so as to exceed a nominal dielectric strength of a cell plasma membrane without substantially interfering with a normal operation of the implantable shunt system.
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43. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a sensor component in optical communication along an optical path with at least one of the one or more energy emitters.
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44. The implantable shunt system of claim 43, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct optical energy along the optical path for a time sufficient to interact with a cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways, and wherein a portion of the directed optical energy is received by the sensor component in optical communication along the optical path.
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45. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
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a sensor component; wherein the energy stimulus is a pulsed optical energy stimulus along an optical path for a time sufficient to interact with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and wherein a portion of the pulsed optical energy stimulus is directed to a portion of the sensor component that is in optical communication along the optical path.
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46. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to generate one or more non-ionizing laser pulses in an amount and for a time sufficient to induce the formation of sound waves associated with changes in a biological mass present along an optical path.
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47. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy waveform along an optical path of a character and for a time sufficient to cause a biological mass within a cerebrospinal fluid interrogated by the pulsed optical energy waveform to temporarily expand.
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48. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy stimulus along an optical path in an amount and for a time sufficient to elicit the formation of acoustic waves associated with changes in a biological mass present along the optical path.
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49. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy waveform along an optical path of sufficient strength or duration so as to cause at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid interrogated by the pulsed optical energy waveform to temporarily expand.
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50. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy waveform along an optical path in an amount and for a time sufficient to cause at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid interrogated by the pulsed optical energy waveform to temporarily fluoresce.
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51. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
Memory component configured to store at least one of control instruction and data.
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52. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more energy emitters, the controller configured to control at least one parameter associated with a delivery of the energy stimulus.
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53. The implantable shunt system of claim 52, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one parameter associated with a spatial illumination field modulation, a spatial illumination field intensity, or a spatial illumination delivery pattern.
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54. The implantable shunt system of claim 52, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of an excitation intensity, an excitation frequency, an excitation pulse frequency, an excitation pulse ratio, an excitation pulse intensity, an excitation pulse duration time, an excitation pulse repetition rate, an energy stimulus delivery regimen, an ON-rate, and an OFF-rate.
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55. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
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at least one processor, the at least one processor communicably coupled to at least one of the one or more energy emitters and configured to control at least one of a duration time, an amount of energy, a delivery schedule, a delivery pattern, an excitation amount, an excitation type, and a delivery location associated with the delivery of the energy stimulus.
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56. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a body structure including one or more proximal shunts, distal shunts, or flow-regulating devices, the one or more fluid-flow passageways extending through an interior of the one or more proximal shunts, distal shunts, or flow-regulating devices.
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57. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a body structure having an inlet and an outlet, at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways extending through the body structure between the inlet and outlet.
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58. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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59. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
means for laterally reflecting or longitudinally reflecting electromagnetic radiation transmitted within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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60. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that internally reflects at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus present within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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61. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that internally reflects at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, without substantially permitting the transmission of the emitted energy stimulus through an exterior of the body structure.
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62. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more optical materials forming at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the one or more optical materials configured to limit an amount of the energy stimulus that can traverse within the one or more fluid-flow passageways and through an outer surface of the body structure.
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63. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more optical materials on at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways to internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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64. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one outer internally reflective coating on a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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65. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one inner internally reflective coating on a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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66. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that internally directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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67. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that internally directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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68. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface configured to laterally internally reflect or longitudinally internally reflect electromagnetic radiation transmitted therethrough.
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69. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a reflective surface capable of reflecting at least about 50 percent of an energy stimulus emitted by the one or more energy emitters that impinges on the reflective surface.
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70. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a reflective surface that is reflective at a first wavelength and transmissive at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.
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71. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes one or more internally reflective components configured to manage a delivery of light to a biological fluid received within the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and to manage a collection of reflected light from the biological fluid.
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72. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical component that directs a first portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and an optical component that directs a second portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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73. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a first optical component configured to direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second optical component configured to direct at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
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74. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a first optical component that directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second optical component that directs at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
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75. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface that is reflective to at least one of electromagnetic energy, ultrasonic energy, and thermal energy.
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76. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an inner surface that is internally reflective to electromagnetic radiation.
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77. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface that is internally reflective to ultraviolet radiation.
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78. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface that is internally reflective to infrared radiation.
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79. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface having a reflective coating.
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80. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a reflective material.
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81. The implantable shunt system of claim 80, wherein the reflective material comprises at least one of aluminum, barium sulfate, gold, silver, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.
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82. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an ultraviolet energy reflective material.
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83. The implantable shunt system of claim 82, wherein the ultraviolet energy reflective material comprises barium sulfate.
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84. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optically transparent component that directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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85. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component includes one or more electromagnetic energy waveguides.
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86. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component includes one or more optical waveguides.
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87. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component comprises a light-transmitting material.
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88. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component comprises one or more optical fibers.
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89. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component extends substantially longitudinally along at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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90. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component extends substantially laterally within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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91. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component extends substantially helically within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways
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92. The implantable shunt system of claim 84, wherein the optically transparent component comprises an optically transparent material.
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93. The implantable shunt system of claim 92, wherein the optically transparent material includes one or more of acetal copolymers, acrylic, glass, AgBr, AgCl, Al2O3, GeAsSe glass, BaF2, CaF2, CdTe, AsSeTe glass, CsI, diamond, GaAs, Ge, ITRAN materials, KBr, thallium bromide-Iodide, LiF, MgF2, NaCl, polyethylene, Pyrex, Si, SiO2, ZnS, ZnSe, thermoplastic polymers, or thermoset polymers, or composites thereof.
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94. The implantable shunt system of claim 92, wherein the optically transparent material includes one or more of acrylonitrile butadaine styrene polymers, cellulosic, epoxy, ethylene butyl acrylate, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, fluorinated ethylene propylene, furan, nylon, phenolic, poly[2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene], poly[2,2-b]strifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene], poly[2,3-(perfluoroalkenyl)perfluorotetrahydrofuran], polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polybenzimidazole, polycarbonate, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, polyimide, polymethyl methacrylate, polynorbornene, polyperfluoroalkoxyethylene, polystyrene, polysulfone, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, diallyl phthalate, thermoplastic elastomer, transparent polymers, or vinyl ester, or composites thereof.
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95. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more optical waveguides received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the one or more optical waveguides photonically coupleable to at least one of the one or more energy emitters and configured to direct an emitted energy stimulus into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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96. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between an optically transparent state and an optically reflective state.
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97. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes one or more regions that are controllably actuatable between an optically transparent state and an optically reflective state.
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98. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes one or more regions that are actively controllable between a transmissive state and a reflective state.
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99. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes one or more regions that are actively controllable between a transmissive state and a less transmissive state.
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100. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more actively controllable reflective or transmissive components configured to outwardly transmit or internally reflect an energy stimulus propagated through at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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101. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
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a sensor component configured to detect at least one of a characteristic of a cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways, a characteristic of a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and a physiological characteristic of the biological subject; one or more actively controllable reflective or transmissive components configured to outwardly transmit or internally reflect an energy stimulus propagated through at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways; and a controller operably coupled to at least one of the one or more actively controllable reflective or transmissive components, the controller configured to cause an outward-transmission or internal-reflection of an energy stimulus propagated through at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways based on detected information from the sensor component.
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102. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a photoactive agent.
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103. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a photoactive coating material.
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104. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light energy in the presence of an energy stimulus.
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105. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light energy in the presence of an electrical potential.
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106. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a photoactive agent having one or more photoabsorption bands in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
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107. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a self-cleaning coating composition.
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108. The implantable shunt system of claim 107, wherein the self-cleaning coating composition comprises an energy-activateable self-cleaning material.
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109. The implantable shunt system of claim 107, wherein the self-cleaning coating composition comprises a chemically activateable self-cleaning material.
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110. The implantable shunt system of claim 107, wherein the self-cleaning coating composition comprises one or more of titanium dioxide, superhydrophobic materials, or carbon nanotubes with nanoscopic paraffin coatings.
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111. The implantable shunt system of claim 107, wherein the self-cleaning coating composition comprises one or more of non-fouling zwitterionic polymers, zwitterionic surface forming materials, zwitterionic polymers, poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) (pCBMA), poly(carboxybetaine acrylic amide) (pCBAA), poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (pOEGMA), poly(N,N-dimethyl-N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-N-[2′
- -(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-ammonium bromide), cationic pC8NMA, switchable pCBMA-1 C2, or pCBMA-2.
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112. The implantable shunt system of claim 107, wherein the self-cleaning coating composition comprises one or more antimicrobial agents.
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113. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a coating configured to generate a reactive oxygen specie or a reactive nitrogen specie when exposed to an energy stimulus.
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114. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a self-cleaning coating configured to hydrolyze when exposed to an energy stimulus.
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115. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a self-cleaning coating configured to degrade when exposed to an energy stimulus.
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116. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes one or more reflective materials and one or more self-cleaning materials.
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117. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes one or more reflective coatings and one or more self-cleaning coatings.
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118. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between a first wettability state and a second wettability state.
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119. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region that is UV-manipulatable between at least a first wettability and a second wettability.
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120. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region having at least one ZnO nano-rod film, coating, or material that is UV-manipulatable between a superhydrophobic state and superhydrophilic state.
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121. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between a substantially hydrophobic state and a substantially hydrophilic state.
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122. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between at least a first hydrophilic state and a second hydrophilic state.
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123. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between a hydrophobic state and a hydrophilic state.
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124. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region having a material that is switchable between a zwitterionic state and a non-zwitterionic state.
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125. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of an antimicrobial coating and a non-fouling coating.
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126. The implantable shunt system of claim 125, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an antimicrobial and a non-fouling coating.
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127. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between an antimicrobial state and a non-fouling state.
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128. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
means for detecting at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid of the biological subject.
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129. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more sensors configured to detect at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid of the biological subject.
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130. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more electrochemical transducers, photochemical transducer, optical transducers, piezoelectrical transducers, or thermal transducers.
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131. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more thermal detectors, photovoltaic detectors, or photomultiplier detectors.
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132. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more charge coupled devices, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices, photodiode image sensor devices, whispering gallery mode micro cavity devices, or scintillation detector devices.
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133. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more ultrasonic transducers.
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134. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more density sensors.
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135. The implantable shunt system of claim 134, wherein the one or more density sensors include one or more optical density sensors.
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136. The implantable shunt system of claim 134, wherein the one or more density sensors include one or more refractive index sensors.
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137. The implantable shunt system of claim 136, wherein the one or more refractive index sensors include one or more fiber optic refractive index sensors.
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138. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more surface plasmon resonance sensors.
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139. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more localized surface plasmon resonance sensors.
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140. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include a light transmissive support and a reflective metal layer.
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141. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more acoustic biosensors, amperometric biosensors, calorimetric biosensors, optical biosensors, or potentiometric biosensors.
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142. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more fluid flow sensors.
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143. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more differential electrodes.
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144. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more conductivity sensors.
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145. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more spectrometers.
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146. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more biomass sensors.
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147. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more immuno sensors.
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148. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more functionalized cantilevers.
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149. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the one or more sensors include a biological molecule capture layer.
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150. The implantable shunt system of claim 149, wherein the biological molecule capture layer includes an array of different binding molecules that specifically bind one or more target molecules.
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151. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is configured to detect a fluorescence associated with an autofluorescent material within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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152. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is configured to detect an autofluorescence associated with monocytes within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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153. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is configured to detect an autofluorescence associated with amyloids within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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154. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an autofluorescence, an immunofluorescence, and an indirect immunofluorescence.
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155. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes fluid flow information.
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156. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an optical density an opacity, and a refractivity.
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157. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one parameter associated with a psychosis state marker or a psychosis trait marker.
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158. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one psychiatric disorder indication parameter.
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159. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of a psychotic disorder indication parameter, a psychotic state indication parameter, a psychotic trait indication parameter, a psychosis indication parameter, and a predisposition for a psychosis indication parameter.
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160. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of a psychotic disorder indication, psychotic state indication, a psychotic trait indication, a psychosis indication, and a predisposition for a psychosis indication.
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161. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an infection indication parameter, an inflammation indication parameter, a diseased state indication parameter, and a diseased tissue indication parameter.
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162. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an electromagnetic energy absorption parameter, an energy stimulus emission parameter, an energy stimulus scattering parameter, an energy stimulus reflectance parameter, an energy stimulus phase shift parameter, an energy stimulus dephasing parameter, and an energy stimulus depolarization parameter.
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163. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an electromagnetic energy absorption parameter, an electromagnetic energy emission parameter, an electromagnetic energy scattering parameter, an electromagnetic energy reflectance parameter, an electromagnetic energy phase shift parameter, an electromagnetic energy dephasing parameter, and an electromagnetic energy depolarization parameter.
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164. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an absorbance, a reflectivity, and a transmittance.
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165. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of a refraction and a scattering.
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166. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an absorption coefficient, an extinction coefficient, and a scattering coefficient.
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167. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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168. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein the generated response includes a psychiatric disorder probability score.
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169. The implantable shunt system of claim 167, wherein the generated response includes at least one of a response signal, a control signal, a display, a change to an energy stimulus parameter, a change in an excitation intensity, a change in an excitation frequency, a change in an excitation pulse frequency, a change in an excitation pulse ratio, a change in an excitation pulse intensity, a change in an excitation pulse duration time, a change in an excitation pulse repetition rate, and a change in an energy stimulus delivery regimen parameter.
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170. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, wherein one or more of one or more sensors are configured to detect at least one of an emitted energy and a remitted energy, and to generate a response based on the detected at least one of the emitted energy and the remitted energy.
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171. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
one or more computer-readable memory media configured to store one or more programs.
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172. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
one or more computer-readable memory media configured to store reference data.
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173. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
one or more computer-readable memory media configured to store cerebrospinal fluid reference data.
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174. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
one or more computer-readable memory media having cerebrospinal fluid information configured as a data structure, the data structure including at least one of psychosis state marker information, psychosis trait marker information, and psychosis indication information.
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175. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
one or more computer-readable memory media having cerebrospinal fluid information configured as a data structure, the data structure including at least one of psychosis state indication information, psychosis trait indication information, and predisposition for a psychosis indication information.
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176. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
one or more computer-readable memory media having cerebrospinal fluid information configured as a data structure, the data structure including at least one of infection indication information, inflammation indication information, diseased state indication information, and diseased tissue indication information.
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177. The implantable shunt system of claim 129, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more sensors.
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178. The implantable shunt system of claim 177, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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179. The implantable shunt system of claim 178, wherein the response includes at least one of a response signal, a control signal, a change to an energy stimulus parameter, a change in an excitation intensity, a change in an excitation frequency, a change in an excitation pulse frequency, a change in an excitation pulse ratio, a change in an excitation pulse intensity, a change in an excitation pulse duration time, a change in an excitation pulse repetition rate, and a change in an energy stimulus delivery regimen parameter.
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180. The implantable shunt system of claim 178, wherein the response includes at least one of activating an authorization protocol, activating an authentication protocol, activating a software update protocol, activating a data transfer protocol, and activating an infection sterilization diagnostic protocol.
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181. The implantable shunt system of claim 178, wherein the response includes sending information associated with at least one of an authentication protocol, an authorization protocol, a delivery protocol, an activation protocol, an encryption protocol, and a decryption protocol.
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182. The implantable shunt system of claim 177, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the with the cerebrospinal fluid to stored reference data, and to initiate a treatment protocol based at least in part on the comparison.
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183. The implantable shunt system of claim 177, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the with the cerebrospinal fluid to stored reference data, and to cause at least one of an emission of an energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and a delivery of a disinfecting agent from at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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184. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more sensors configured to detect at least one characteristic associated with a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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185. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of an inflammation indication parameter, an infection indication parameter, a diseased state indication parameter, and a diseased tissue indication parameter.
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186. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of
an electromagnetic energy absorption parameter, an electromagnetic energy emission parameter, an electromagnetic energy scattering parameter, an electromagnetic energy reflectance parameter, or an electromagnetic energy depolarization parameter. -
187. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of an absorption coefficient, an extinction coefficient, and a scattering coefficient.
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188. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of a parameter associated with a biomarker, an infection marker, an inflammation marker, an infective stress marker, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome marker, and a sepsis marker.
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189. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one parameter associated with a red blood cell count, a lymphocyte level, a leukocyte count, a myeloid count, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or a c-reactive protein level.
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190. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of a tissue water content, an oxy-hemoglobin concentration, a deoxyhemoglobin concentration, an oxygenated hemoglobin absorption parameter, a deoxygenated hemoglobin absorption parameter, a tissue light scattering parameter, a tissue light absorption parameter, a hematological parameter, and a pH level.
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191. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one parameter associated with a cytokine plasma concentration or an acute phase protein plasma concentration.
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192. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one parameter associated with a leukocyte level.
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193. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more sensors.
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194. The implantable shunt system of claim 193, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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195. The implantable shunt system of claim 194, wherein the generated response includes at least one of a response signal, a control signal, a change to an energy stimulus parameter, a change in an excitation intensity, a change in an excitation frequency, a change in an excitation pulse frequency, a change in an excitation pulse ratio, a change in an excitation pulse intensity, a change in an excitation pulse duration time, a change in an excitation pulse repetition rate, and a change in an energy stimulus delivery regimen parameter.
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196. The implantable shunt system of claim 193, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways to stored reference data, and to cause an emission of an energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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197. The implantable shunt system of claim 184, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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198. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more sensors configured to detect at least one physiological characteristic associated with the biological subject.
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199. The implantable shunt system of claim 198, wherein the at least one physiological characteristic includes at least one of a temperature, a pH, an impedance, a density, a sodium ion level, a calcium ion level, a potassium ion level, a glucose level, a lipoprotein level, a cholesterol level, a triglyceride level, a hormone level, a blood oxygen level, a pulse rate, a blood pressure, an intracranial pressure, and a respiratory rate.
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200. The implantable shunt system of claim 198, wherein the at least one physiological characteristic includes at least one hematological parameter.
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201. The implantable shunt system of claim 200, wherein the hematological parameter is associated with a hematological abnormality.
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202. The implantable shunt system of claim 198, wherein the at least one physiological characteristic includes one or more parameters associated with at least one of leukopenia, leukophilia, lymphocytopenia, lymphocytophilia, neutropenia, neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, bacteremia, and viremia.
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203. The implantable shunt system of claim 198, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more sensors.
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204. The implantable shunt system of claim 203, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one physiological characteristic to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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205. The implantable shunt system of claim 203, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one physiological characteristic to stored reference data, and to cause an emission of an energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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206. The implantable shunt system of claim 203, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one physiological characteristic to stored reference data, and to cause at least one of an emission of an energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and a delivery of a disinfecting agent from at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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207. The implantable shunt system of claim 198, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of the detected at least one physiological characteristic of the biological subject to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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208. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a disinfecting agent assembly including at least one disinfecting agent reservoir, the disinfecting agent assembly configured to deliver one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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209. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more energy-activateable disinfecting agents.
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210. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more photoactive agents.
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211. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more X-ray absorbers.
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212. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more radiation absorbers.
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213. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more active agents that selectively target bacteria.
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214. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more antimicrobial agents.
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215. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more antimicrobial peptides.
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216. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more antibacterial agents.
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217. The implantable shunt system of claim 216, wherein one or more antibacterial agents include one or more antibacterial drugs.
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218. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly is configured to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a spatially patterned distribution.
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219. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, further comprising:
-
at least one processor, the processor communicably coupled to the plurality of spaced apart controllable-release ports and configured to control at least one of a delivery rate, a delivery amount, a delivery composition, a port release rate, a port release amount, or a port release pattern associated with the delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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220. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, further comprising:
-
at least one controller operably coupled to the disinfecting agent assembly and configured to control at least one of a delivery rate, a delivery amount, a delivery composition, and a delivery pattern associated with the delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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221. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly is further configured to deliver one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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222. The implantable shunt system of claim 221, further comprising:
-
at least one controller operably coupled to the disinfecting agent assembly and configured to control at least one of a delivery rate, a delivery amount, a delivery composition, and a delivery pattern associated with the delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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223. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart release ports adapted to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a spatially patterned distribution.
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224. The implantable shunt system of claim 223, further comprising:
at least one controller operably coupled to one or more of the plurality of spaced apart release ports and configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of spaced apart release ports between a disinfecting agent discharge state and a disinfecting agent retention state.
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225. The implantable shunt system of claim 208, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart controllable-release ports adapted to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a spatially patterned distribution.
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226. The implantable shunt system of claim 225, further comprising:
-
at least one controller operably coupled to one or more of the spaced-apart controllable-release ports and configured to control at least one of a port release rate, a port release amount, or a port release pattern associated with a delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents.
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227. The implantable shunt system of claim 225, further comprising:
-
at least one processor, the processor operably coupled to the disinfecting agent assembly and configured to control at least one of a port release rate, a port release amount, or a port release pattern associated with the delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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228. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
circuitry configured to obtain information.
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229. The implantable shunt system of claim 228, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes circuitry configured to obtain information associated with a delivery of the energy stimulus.
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230. The implantable shunt system of claim 228, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes circuitry configured to obtain at least one of a command stream, a software stream, and a data stream.
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231. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
circuitry for providing information.
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232. The implantable shunt system of claim 231, wherein the circuitry for providing information includes circuitry for providing status information.
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233. The implantable shunt system of claim 231, wherein the circuitry for providing information includes circuitry for providing information regarding at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid of the biological subject.
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234. The implantable shunt system of claim 231, wherein the circuitry for providing information includes circuitry for providing information regarding at least one characteristic associated with a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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235. The implantable shunt system of claim 231, wherein the circuitry for providing information includes circuitry for providing information regarding at least one physiological characteristic associated with the biological subject.
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236. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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237. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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238. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected physiological characteristic associated with the biological subject.
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239. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one receiver configured to acquire information associated with a set of physiological characteristic for detection.
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240. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one receiver configured to acquire information associated with one or more physiological characteristics for detection.
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241. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one transceiver configured to acquire information associated with one or more cerebrospinal fluid characteristics for detection.
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242. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with the biological subject.
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243. The implantable shunt system of claim 242, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to acquire instructions.
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244. The implantable shunt system of claim 242, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to acquire information associated with delivery of the energy stimulus.
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245. The implantable shunt system of claim 242, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to acquire information associated with delivery of a disinfecting agent.
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246. The implantable shunt system of claim 242, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to acquire data.
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247. The implantable shunt system of claim 242, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to receive stored reference data.
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248. The implantable shunt system of claim 242, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to acquire software.
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249. The implantable shunt system of claim 242, wherein the at least one receiver is configured to receive data from one or more distal sensors.
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250. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one transmitter configured to send information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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251. The implantable shunt system of claim 250, wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to send a request for transmission of at least one of data, a command, an authorization, an update, and a code.
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252. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
-
circuitry configured to obtain information; and circuitry configured to store the obtained information.
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253. The implantable shunt system of claim 252, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of at least one physiological characteristic of the biological subject to the obtained information, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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254. The implantable shunt system of claim 252, wherein the generated response includes causing the obtained information to be stored in one or more data structures.
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255. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
an actively controllable excitation component configured to deliver a sterilizing energy stimulus, in vivo, to a tissue proximate an outer portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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256. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein the actively controllable excitation component is configured to deliver at least one of an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, and a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus.
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257. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein actively controllable excitation component is operable to emit a sterilizing energy stimulus having one or more peak emission wavelengths in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet spectrum, or combinations thereof.
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258. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein the actively controllable excitation component includes one or more energy emitters configured to deliver at least one of an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, and a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus of sufficient strength or duration to attenuate an activity of an infectious agent proximate the outer portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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259. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein the actively controllable excitation component includes one or more energy emitters configured to deliver at least one of an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, and a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus of sufficient strength or duration to cause the death of one or more pathogens proximate the outer portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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260. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein the actively controllable excitation component includes one or more energy emitters configured to deliver a sufficient amount of at least one of an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, and a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus, in vivo, to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of an infectious agent proximate the outer portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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261. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein the actively controllable excitation component includes a spatially patterned energy-emitting element configured to provide a spatially patterned energy stimulus.
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262. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein the actively controllable excitation component includes a spatially patterned energy-emitting element configured to provide a spatially patterned energy stimulus, the spatially patterned energy-emitting element having a plurality of spaced apart energy emitters.
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263. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein the actively controllable excitation component includes at least one energy-emitting component, the at least one energy-emitting component configured to provide a spatially patterned light energy stimulus.
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264. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component includes a patterned-light emitting source.
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265. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component is configured to provide an energy stimulus.
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266. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component includes a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes configured to provide a spatially patterned sterilizing energy stimulus.
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267. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component includes an ultraviolet energy emitter.
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268. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component includes an ultraviolet B energy emitter.
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269. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component includes an ultraviolet C energy emitter.
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270. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component comprises a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 400 nanometers.
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271. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component comprises a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 320 nanometers.
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272. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component comprises a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 280 nanometers to about 320 nanometers.
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273. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component is configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation of a character and for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of a tissue proximate the outer portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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274. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component is configured to deliver a sufficient amount of an ultraviolet radiation to induce cell death by apoptosis.
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275. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component is configured to deliver an effective dose of optical energy at which a cell preferentially undergoes apoptosis compared to necrosis.
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276. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component is configured to deliver a sufficient amount of an optical energy to initiate ultraviolet energy induced apoptosis.
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277. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component is configured to provide an illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an illumination intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission wavelength, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, and a pulse frequency different from the first region.
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278. The implantable shunt system of claim 263, wherein the at least one energy-emitting component is configured to provide an illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of a spatial pattern and a temporal pattern different from the first region.
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279. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, further comprising:
at least one processor, the at least one processor communicably coupled to the actively controllable excitation component and configured to control at least one of a duration time, an amount of energy, a delivery location, an excitation amount, an excitation type, or a spatially patterned stimulation configuration associated with the delivery of the sterilizing energy stimulus.
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280. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein an operational fluence of the actively controllable excitation component is less than about 80 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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281. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein an operational fluence of the actively controllable excitation component is less than about 35 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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282. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein an operational fluence of the actively controllable excitation component is less than about 15 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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283. The implantable shunt system of claim 255, wherein an average energy density of the actively controllable excitation component ranges from about less than about 15 milli-joules per square centimeter to about less than about 80 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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284. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a power source, the power source including at least one of a thermoelectric generator, a piezoelectric generator, an electromechanical generator, and a biomechanical-energy harvesting generator.
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285. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one of a battery, a capacitor, and a mechanical energy store.
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286. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a transcutaneous energy transfer system, the transcutaneous energy transfer system electromagnetically, magnetically, ultrasonically, optically, inductively, electrically, or capacitively coupled to the one or more energy emitters.
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287. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a power source, the power source electromagnetically, magnetically, ultrasonically, optically, inductively, electrically, or capacitively coupled to the one or more energy emitters.
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288. The implantable shunt system of claim 287, wherein the power source is configured to manage a duty cycle associated with emitting an effective amount of the energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters.
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289. The implantable shunt system of claim 287, wherein the power source is configured to wirelessly receive power from a remote power supply.
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290. The implantable shunt system of claim 287, wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable power source.
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291. The implantable shunt system of claim 287, wherein the power source is configured to manage a duty cycle associated with emitting an effective amount of the energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters.
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292. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a power receiver configured to receive power from an ex vivo power source.
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293. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising:
a power receiver configured to receive power from an in vivo power source.
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294. The implantable shunt system of claim 293, wherein the in vivo power source includes at least one of a thermoelectric generator, a piezoelectric generator, an electromechanical generator, and a biomechanical-energy harvesting generator.
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295. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, further comprising a power source.
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296. The implantable shunt system of claim 295, wherein the power source is configured to wirelessly receive power from a remote power supply.
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297. The implantable shunt system of claim 295, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a button cell, a chemical battery cell, a fuel cell, a secondary cell, a lithium ion cell, a micro-electric patch, a nickel metal hydride cell, silver-zinc cell, a capacitor, a super-capacitor, a thin film secondary cell, an ultra-capacitor, and a zinc-air cell.
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298. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more cerebrospinal fluid catheters.
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299. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more cerebrospinal fluid shunts configured to drain cerebrospinal fluid from a region of a brain of the biological subject.
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300. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more proximal catheters.
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301. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more distal catheters.
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302. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more brain ventricle catheters.
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303. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more sinus sagittalis catheters.
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304. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more cerebrospinal fluid reservoirs.
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305. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include one or more cannulas configured to drain a cerebrospinal fluid from a ventricle of a brain of the biological subject.
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306. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid-flow passageways include a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
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2. The implantable shunt system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver at least one of an electromagnetic stimulus, an electrical stimulus, an ultrasonic stimulus, and a thermal stimulus.
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307. An in vivo method of treating an infectious agent, comprising:
providing an energy stimulus for a time and amount sufficient to induce apoptosis of an infectious agent within a cerebrospinal fluid of a mammal, the cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways of an indwelling implant including one or more energy-emitting components energetically coupleable to an interior of the one or more fluid-flow passageways. - View Dependent Claims (308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354)
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308. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing a sufficient amount of at least one of an x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, near infrared, terahertz, microwave, and radio frequency radiation.
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309. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing a sufficient amount of at least one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, and a thermal energy stimulus.
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310. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes delivering an effective dose of optical energy at which a cell preferentially undergoes apoptosis compared to necrosis.
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311. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing an ultraviolet radiation of a character or duration to induce cell death by apoptosis.
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312. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing a dose of an ultraviolet radiation based on a detected characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid.
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313. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing an electromagnetic energy stimulus of a character and for a sufficient time to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of an infectious agent present in the cerebrospinal fluid.
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314. The method of claim 307, further comprising:
delivering an antimicrobial agent composition to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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315. The method of claim 307, further comprising:
delivering an antimicrobial agent composition to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways at a dose sufficient to attenuate an activity of the infectious agent.
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348. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing a sufficient amount of at least one of an x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, near infrared, terahertz, microwave, and radio frequency radiation.
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349. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes delivering an effective dose of optical energy at which a cell preferentially undergoes apoptosis compared to necrosis.
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350. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing an ultraviolet radiation of a character or duration to induce cell death by apoptosis.
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351. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing a dose of an ultraviolet radiation based on a detected characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid.
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352. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing an electromagnetic energy stimulus of a character and for a sufficient time to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of an infectious agent present in the cerebrospinal fluid.
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353. The method of claim 307, further comprising:
delivering an antimicrobial agent composition to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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354. The method of claim 307, further comprising:
delivering an antimicrobial agent composition to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways at a dose sufficient to attenuate an activity of the infectious agent.
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308. The method of claim 307, wherein providing the sufficient amount of the energy stimulus includes providing a sufficient amount of at least one of an x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, near infrared, terahertz, microwave, and radio frequency radiation.
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316. An implantable shunt system, comprising:
-
a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject; and one or more energy emitters configured to direct an energy stimulus to at least one of an interior and an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce programmed cell death at least a portion of cells proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure. - View Dependent Claims (317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346)
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317. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the body structure includes one or more proximal shunts, distal shunts, or flow-regulating devices, the one or more fluid-flow passageways extending through an interior of the one or more proximal shunts, distal shunts, or flow-regulating devices.
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318. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the body structure includes an inlet and an outlet, at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways extending through the body structure between the inlet and outlet.
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319. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is photonically coupleable to an interior of one or more of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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320. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is photonically coupleable to an exterior of one or more of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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321. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is photonically coupleable, via one or more waveguides, to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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322. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to emit an energy stimulus from an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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323. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that permits the transmission of at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus from an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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324. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to emit an energy stimulus having one or more peak emission wavelengths in the x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, near infrared, terahertz, microwave, or radio frequency spectrum.
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325. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver one or more charged particles.
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326. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the one or more energy emitters include one or more lasers, laser diodes, light-emitting diodes, arc flashlamps, incandescent emitters, or continuous wave bulbs.
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327. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the one or more energy emitters include one or more light-emitting diodes, quantum dots, organic light-emitting diodes, microcavity light-emitting diodes, or polymer light-emitting diodes.
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328. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to provide a voltage across at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the voltage of sufficient strength or duration so as to exceed a nominal dielectric strength of at least one cell plasma membrane.
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329. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to provide a voltage across at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the voltage of sufficient strength or duration so as to exceed a nominal dielectric strength of a cell plasma membrane without substantially interfering with a normal operation of the implantable shunt system.
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330. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to sufficiently internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus to generate an evanescent electromagnetic field across one or more regions of the body structure.
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331. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to sufficiently internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus to cause an evanescent electromagnetic field to emanate from at least a portion of the body structure.
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332. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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333. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to totally internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus propagated within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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334. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, further comprising:
a plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides operably coupled to the at least one of the one or more energy emitters and configured to direct an emitted energy stimulus to one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure.
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335. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to provide a spatially patterned energy stimulus.
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336. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to deliver a spatially collimated energy stimulus.
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337. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to deliver a spatially focused energy stimulus.
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338. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to provide a temporally patterned energy stimulus.
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339. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to deliver an energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to provide a spatially patterned energy stimulus to one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure.
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340. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to internally direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus propagated within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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341. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to laterally internally direct or longitudinally internally direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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342. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to direct a first portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and configured to direct a second portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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343. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and configured to direct at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
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344. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and configured to direct at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
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345. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to externally direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus propagated within.
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346. The implantable shunt system of claim 334, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides are configured to externally direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus propagated within one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure.
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317. The implantable shunt system of claim 316, wherein the body structure includes one or more proximal shunts, distal shunts, or flow-regulating devices, the one or more fluid-flow passageways extending through an interior of the one or more proximal shunts, distal shunts, or flow-regulating devices.
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347. An in vivo method of treating an infectious agent, comprising:
providing an energy stimulus for a time and amount sufficient to induce programmed cell death of an infectious agent within a cerebrospinal fluid of a mammal, the cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways of an indwelling implant including one or more energy-emitting components energetically coupleable to an interior of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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355. A method of inhibiting a microbial proliferation in the cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject, comprising:
selectively energizing one or more regions of at least one fluid-flow passageway of an indwelling implant cerebrospinal fluid management system via one or more energy-emitting components in optical communication with an interior of the least one fluid-flow passageway. - View Dependent Claims (356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363)
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356. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energetically interrogating a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 400 nanometers.
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357. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energetically interrogating a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 320 nanometers.
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358. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energetically interrogating a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 280 nanometers to about 320 nanometers.
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359. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energizing a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having an operational fluence of the one or more energy emitters is less than about 80 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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360. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energizing a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having an operational fluence of less than about 35 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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361. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energizing a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having an operational fluence of less than about 15 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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362. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energizing a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having an average energy density ranging from about less than about 15 milli-joules per square centimeter to about less than about 80 milli-joules per square centimeter.
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363. The method of claim 355, further comprising:
delivering an active agent composition to an interior of at least one fluid-flow passageway of an indwelling implant cerebrospinal fluid management system via one or more active agent assemblies in fluidic communication with the interior of the least one fluid-flow passageway.
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356. The method of claim 355, wherein selectively energizing includes energetically interrogating a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway with an energy stimulus having a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 400 nanometers.
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364. An implantable shunt system, comprising:
-
a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject; one or more energy emitters configured to emit an energy stimulus to one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure, the energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce programmed cell death without substantially inducing necrosis of at least a portion of cells proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure; and a sensor component in optical communication along an optical path with at least one of the one or more energy emitters. - View Dependent Claims (365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444)
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365. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct optical energy along the optical path for a duration sufficient to interact with a cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways, and wherein a portion of the directed optical energy is received by the sensor component in optical communication along the optical path.
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366. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy stimulus having a portion directed along an optical path for a duration sufficient to interact with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a portion directed to a sensor component that is in optical communication along the optical path.
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367. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to generate one or more non-ionizing laser pulses in an amount and for a duration sufficient to induce the formation of sound waves associated with changes in a biological mass present along an optical path.
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368. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy waveform along an optical path of a character and for a duration sufficient to cause a biological mass within a cerebrospinal fluid interrogated by the pulsed optical energy waveform to temporarily expand.
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369. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy stimulus along an optical path in an amount and for a duration sufficient to elicit the formation of acoustic waves associated with changes in a biological mass present along the optical path.
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370. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy waveform along an optical path of sufficient strength or duration to cause at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid interrogated by the pulsed optical energy waveform to temporarily expand.
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371. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct a pulsed optical energy waveform along an optical path in an amount and for a duration sufficient to cause at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid interrogated by the pulsed optical energy waveform to temporarily fluoresce.
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372. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more energy emitters, the controller configured to control at least one parameter associated with a delivery of the energy stimulus.
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373. The implantable shunt system of claim 372, wherein the controller includes integrated circuitry configured to control at least one parameter associated with a spatial illumination field modulation, a spatial illumination field intensity, or a spatial illumination delivery pattern.
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374. The implantable shunt system of claim 372, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of an excitation intensity, an excitation frequency, an excitation pulse frequency, an excitation pulse ratio, an excitation pulse intensity, an excitation pulse duration time, an excitation pulse repetition rate, an energy stimulus delivery regimen, an ON-rate, and an OFF-rate.
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375. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, further comprising:
-
at least one processor, the at least one processor communicably coupled to at least one of the one or more energy emitters and configured to control at least one of a duration time, an amount of energy, a delivery schedule, a delivery pattern, an excitation amount, an excitation type, and a delivery location associated with the delivery of the energy stimulus.
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376. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect a fluorescence associated with an autofluorescent material within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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377. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect an autofluorescence associated with monocytes within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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378. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect an autofluorescence associated with amyloids within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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379. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect spectral information.
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380. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more sensors configured to detect at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid of the biological subject.
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381. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an autofluorescence, an immunofluorescence, and an indirect immunofluorescence.
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382. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes fluid flow information.
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383. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an optical density an opacity, and a refractivity.
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384. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one parameter associated with a psychosis state marker or a psychosis trait marker.
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385. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one psychiatric disorder indication parameter.
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386. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of a psychotic disorder indication parameter, a psychotic state indication parameter, a psychotic trait indication parameter, a psychosis indication parameter, and a predisposition for a psychosis indication parameter.
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387. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of a psychotic disorder indication, psychotic state indication, a psychotic trait indication, a psychosis indication, and a predisposition for a psychosis indication.
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388. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an infection indication parameter, an inflammation indication parameter, a diseased state indication parameter, and a diseased tissue indication parameter.
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389. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes spectral information.
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390. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an electromagnetic energy absorption parameter, an energy stimulus emission parameter, an energy stimulus scattering parameter, an energy stimulus reflectance parameter, an energy stimulus phase shift parameter, an energy stimulus dephasing parameter, and an energy stimulus depolarization parameter.
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391. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an electromagnetic energy absorption parameter, an electromagnetic energy emission parameter, an electromagnetic energy scattering parameter, an electromagnetic energy reflectance parameter, an electromagnetic energy phase shift parameter, an electromagnetic energy dephasing parameter, and an electromagnetic energy depolarization parameter.
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392. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an absorbance, a reflectivity, and a transmittance.
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393. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of a refraction and a scattering.
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394. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid includes at least one of an absorption coefficient, an extinction coefficient, and a scattering coefficient.
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395. The implantable shunt system of claim 380, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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396. The implantable shunt system of claim 395, wherein the generated response includes a psychiatric disorder probability score.
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397. The implantable shunt system of claim 396, wherein the generated response includes at least one of a response signal, a control signal, a display, a change to an energy stimulus parameter, a change in an excitation intensity, a change in an excitation frequency, a change in an excitation pulse frequency, a change in an excitation pulse ratio, a change in an excitation pulse intensity, a change in an excitation pulse duration time, a change in an excitation pulse repetition rate, and a change in an energy stimulus delivery regimen parameter.
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398. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect at least one of an emitted energy and a remitted energy, and to generate a response based on the detected at least one of the emitted energy and the remitted energy.
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399. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more sensors configured to detect at least one characteristic associated with a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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400. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of an inflammation indication parameter, an infection indication parameter, a diseased state indication parameter, and a diseased tissue indication parameter.
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401. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of
an electromagnetic energy absorption parameter, an electromagnetic energy emission parameter, an electromagnetic energy scattering parameter, an electromagnetic energy reflectance parameter, or an electromagnetic energy depolarization parameter. -
402. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of an absorption coefficient, an extinction coefficient, and a scattering coefficient.
-
403. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of a parameter associated with a biomarker, an infection marker, an inflammation marker, an infective stress marker, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome marker, and a sepsis marker.
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404. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one parameter associated with a red blood cell count, a lymphocyte level, a leukocyte count, a myeloid count, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or a c-reactive protein level.
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405. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of a tissue water content, an oxy-hemoglobin concentration, a deoxyhemoglobin concentration, an oxygenated hemoglobin absorption parameter, a deoxygenated hemoglobin absorption parameter, a tissue light scattering parameter, a tissue light absorption parameter, a hematological parameter, and a pH level.
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406. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one parameter associated with a cytokine plasma concentration or an acute phase protein plasma concentration.
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407. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one parameter associated with a leukocyte level.
-
408. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more sensors.
-
409. The implantable shunt system of claim 408, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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410. The implantable shunt system of claim 409, wherein the generated response includes at least one of a response signal, a control signal, a change to an energy stimulus parameter, a change in an excitation intensity, a change in an excitation frequency, a change in an excitation pulse frequency, a change in an excitation pulse ratio, a change in an excitation pulse intensity, a change in an excitation pulse duration time, a change in an excitation pulse repetition rate, and a change in an energy stimulus delivery regimen parameter.
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411. The implantable shunt system of claim 408, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways to stored reference data, and to cause an emission of an energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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412. The implantable shunt system of claim 399, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of the at least one characteristic associated with the tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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413. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more sensors configured to detect at least one physiological characteristic associated with the biological subject.
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414. The implantable shunt system of claim 413, wherein the at least one physiological characteristic includes at least one of a temperature, a pH, an impedance, a density, a sodium ion level, a calcium ion level, a potassium ion level, a glucose level, a lipoprotein level, a cholesterol level, a triglyceride level, a hormone level, a blood oxygen level, a pulse rate, a blood pressure, an intracranial pressure, and a respiratory rate.
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415. The implantable shunt system of claim 413, wherein the at least one physiological characteristic includes at least one hematological parameter.
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416. The implantable shunt system of claim 413, wherein the at least one physiological characteristic is associated with a hematological abnormality.
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417. The implantable shunt system of claim 413, wherein the at least one physiological characteristic includes one or more parameters associated with at least one of leukopenia, leukophilia, lymphocytopenia, lymphocytophilia, neutropenia, neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, bacteremia, and viremia.
-
418. The implantable shunt system of claim 413, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the one or more sensors.
-
419. The implantable shunt system of claim 418, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one physiological characteristic to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
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420. The implantable shunt system of claim 418, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one physiological characteristic to stored reference data, and to cause an emission of an energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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421. The implantable shunt system of claim 418, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of the at least one physiological characteristic to stored reference data, and to cause at least one of an emission of an energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and a delivery of a disinfecting agent from at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
422. The implantable shunt system of claim 413, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of the detected at least one physiological characteristic of the biological subject to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
-
423. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more electrochemical transducers, photochemical transducer, optical transducers, piezoelectrical transducers, or thermal transducers.
-
424. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more thermal detectors, photovoltaic detectors, or photomultiplier detectors.
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425. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more charge coupled devices, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices, photodiode image sensor devices, whispering gallery mode micro cavity devices, or scintillation detector devices.
-
426. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more ultrasonic transducers.
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427. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more density sensors.
-
428. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more optical density sensors.
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429. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more refractive index sensors.
-
430. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more fiber optic refractive index sensors.
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431. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more surface plasmon resonance sensors.
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432. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more localized surface plasmon resonance sensors.
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433. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes a light transmissive support and a reflective metal layer.
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434. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more acoustic biosensors, amperometric biosensors, calorimetric biosensors, optical biosensors, or potentiometric biosensors.
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435. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more fluid flow sensors.
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436. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more differential electrodes.
-
437. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more biological mass sensors.
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438. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more immuno sensors.
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439. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes one or more functionalized cantilevers.
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440. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes a biological molecule capture layer.
-
441. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes a biological molecule capture layer having an array of different binding molecules that specifically bind one or more target molecules.
-
442. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component includes a spectrometer.
-
443. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect a fluorescence associated with an autofluorescent material of biological sample proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure.
-
444. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect at least one of an emitted energy and a remitted energy, and to generate a response based on the detected at least one of the emitted energy, and the remitted energy.
-
365. The implantable shunt system of claim 364, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to direct optical energy along the optical path for a duration sufficient to interact with a cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways, and wherein a portion of the directed optical energy is received by the sensor component in optical communication along the optical path.
-
-
445. A method, comprising:
selectively energizing one or more regions of at least one fluid-flow passageway of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management system in response to an automatically detected optical parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway. - View Dependent Claims (446, 447, 448, 449)
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446. The method of claim 445, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway includes delivering at least one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, and a thermal energy stimulus in response to the automatically detected optical density parameter associated with the cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway.
-
447. The method of claim 445, wherein selectively energizing one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a first energy stimulus to a first region and a second energy stimulus to a second region.
-
448. The method of claim 445, wherein selectively energizing one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway includes concurrently or sequentially delivering a first energy stimulus to at least a first region and a second energy stimulus to at least a second region, the first energy stimulus comprising one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprising a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
449. The method of claim 445, further comprising:
delivering an active agent composition to one or more regions of at least one fluid-flow passageway of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management system in response to an automatically detected optical density parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway.
-
446. The method of claim 445, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions of the at least one fluid-flow passageway includes delivering at least one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, and a thermal energy stimulus in response to the automatically detected optical density parameter associated with the cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway.
-
450. A method, comprising:
providing an energy stimulus to an interior of one or more fluid-flow passageways of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management device in response to a change in an optical parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway. - View Dependent Claims (451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459)
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451. The method of claim 450, wherein providing the energy stimulus to the interior of the one or more fluid-flow passageways of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management device includes providing an energy stimulus to an interior of one or more fluid-flow passageways of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management device in response to a change in a refractive index parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway.
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452. The method of claim 450, wherein providing the energy stimulus includes providing a spatially patterned energy stimulus having at least a first region and a second region different from the first region, wherein the first regions comprises one of a spatially patterned electromagnetic energy stimulus, a spatially patterned electrical energy stimulus, a spatially patterned ultrasonic energy stimulus, and a spatially patterned thermal energy stimulus, and the second region comprises a different one of a spatially patterned electromagnetic energy stimulus, a spatially patterned electrical energy stimulus, a spatially patterned ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a spatially patterned thermal energy stimulus.
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453. The method of claim 450, wherein providing the energy stimulus includes providing an illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an illumination intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission wavelength, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, and a pulse frequency different from the first region.
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454. The method of claim 450, wherein providing the energy stimulus includes providing an illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of a temporal pattern and a spatial pattern different from the first region.
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455. The method of claim 450, wherein providing the energy stimulus includes providing a voltage to a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the voltage of sufficient strength or duration to exceed a nominal dielectric strength of a cell plasma membrane.
-
456. The method of claim 450, wherein providing the energy stimulus includes concurrently or sequentially providing at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
- wherein the first energy stimulus comprises one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
457. The method of claim 450, further comprising:
providing an energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device.
-
458. The method of claim 457, wherein providing the energy stimulus includes independently delivering, in vivo, at least one of a first sterilizing energy stimulus to the biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second sterilizing energy stimulus to the tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device.
-
459. The method of claim 457, wherein providing the energy stimulus includes independently delivering, in vivo, at least one of a first sterilizing energy stimulus to the biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second sterilizing energy stimulus to the tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device based at least in part on a detected change in a refractive index parameter associated with the cerebrospinal fluid.
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451. The method of claim 450, wherein providing the energy stimulus to the interior of the one or more fluid-flow passageways of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management device includes providing an energy stimulus to an interior of one or more fluid-flow passageways of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management device in response to a change in a refractive index parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway.
-
460. A method, comprising:
delivering one or more energy stimuli to at least one of an interior and an exterior of one or more fluid-flow passageways of an indwelling cerebrospinal fluid management apparatus in response to an in vivo detected change in a refractive index parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more fluid-flow passageways. - View Dependent Claims (461, 462, 463)
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461. The method of claim 460, wherein delivering the one or more energy stimuli includes directing a first portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in the interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and directing a second portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in the interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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462. The method of claim 460, wherein delivering the one or more energy stimuli includes directing at least a first portion of an emitted one or more energy stimuli, via a first optical component, along a substantially lateral direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and directing at a second portion of the emitted energy stimulus, via a second optical component, along a substantially lateral direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
-
463. The method of claim 460, wherein delivering the one or more energy stimuli includes directing a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and directing a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
-
461. The method of claim 460, wherein delivering the one or more energy stimuli includes directing a first portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in the interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and directing a second portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in the interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
464. A method, comprising:
concurrently or sequentially delivering two or more energy stimuli to an interior and an exterior of one or more fluid-flow passageways of an indwelling cerebrospinal fluid management apparatus in response to a detected parameter associated with one or more of a cerebrospinal fluid received within the one or more fluid-flow passageways, a detected parameter associated with a tissue proximate an outer surface of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and a physiological characteristic associated with a biological subject. - View Dependent Claims (465, 466, 467)
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465. The method of claim 464, wherein concurrently or sequentially delivering the two or more energy stimuli includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
- wherein the first energy stimulus comprises one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
466. The method of claim 464, wherein concurrently or sequentially delivering the two or more energy stimuli includes concurrently or sequentially delivering a first electrical stimulus and a second electrical stimulus, in vivo, to target tissue proximate the implanted or inserted surgical implant, the first electrical stimulus or the second electrical stimulus of a character or duration to inhibit scar formation, and the other of the first electrical stimulus or the second electrical stimulus of a character or duration to promote growth of tissue.
-
467. The method of claim 464, wherein concurrently or sequentially delivering the two or more energy stimuli includes concurrently or sequentially delivering the first sterilizing energy stimulus to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and the second sterilizing energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the indwelling cerebrospinal fluid management apparatus.
-
465. The method of claim 464, wherein concurrently or sequentially delivering the two or more energy stimuli includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
-
468. A method, comprising:
-
comparing, via integrated circuitry, one or more characteristics communicated from an implanted shunt device to stored reference data, the one or more characteristics including at least one of information associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways of the implanted shunt device, information associated with a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implanted shunt device, and information associated with a physiological characteristic of the biological subject; and initiating a treatment protocol based at least in part on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (469, 470, 471)
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469. The method of claim 468, wherein initiating the treatment protocol includes selectively energizing one or more regions proximate a surface of the implanted shunt device via one or more energy-emitters based at least in part on the comparison.
-
470. The method of claim 468, wherein initiating the treatment protocol includes delivering an active agent composition to one or more regions proximate a surface of the implanted shunt device via one or more active agent assemblies based at least in part on the comparison.
-
471. The method of claim 468, wherein initiating the treatment protocol includes activating an authorization protocol, activating an authentication protocol, activating an energy stimulus protocol, activating an active agent delivery protocol, or activating an infection sterilization diagnostic protocol based at least in part on the comparison.
-
469. The method of claim 468, wherein initiating the treatment protocol includes selectively energizing one or more regions proximate a surface of the implanted shunt device via one or more energy-emitters based at least in part on the comparison.
-
-
472. A shunt assembly, comprising:
-
a body structure defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a biological subject; means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways. - View Dependent Claims (473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513)
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473. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes
one or more energy emitters configured to emit the energy stimulus to an interior at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and an optical material that internally reflects at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus present within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways. -
474. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides configured to laterally reflecting or longitudinally reflecting electromagnetic radiation transmitted within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
475. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes an optical material that internally reflects at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, without substantially permitting the transmission of the emitted energy stimulus through an exterior of the body structure.
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476. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes one or more optical materials forming at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the one or more optical materials configured to limit an amount of the energy stimulus that can traverse within the one or more fluid-flow passageways and through an outer surface of the body structure.
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477. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes one or more optical materials on at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways to internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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478. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes at least one outer internally reflective coating on a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
479. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes at least one inner internally reflective coating on a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
480. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that internally directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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481. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes an optical material that internally directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
482. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a surface configured to laterally internally reflect or longitudinally internally reflect electromagnetic radiation transmitted therethrough.
-
483. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a reflective surface capable of reflecting at least about 50 percent of an energy stimulus emitted by the one or more energy emitters that impinges on the reflective surface.
-
484. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a reflective surface that is reflective at a first wavelength and transmissive at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.
-
485. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes one or more internally reflective components configured to manage a delivery of light to a biological fluid received within the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and to manage a collection of reflected light from the biological fluid.
-
486. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes an optical component that directs a first portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and an optical component that directs a second portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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487. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a first optical component configured to direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second optical component configured to direct at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
-
488. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a first optical component that directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second optical component that directs at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
-
489. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface that is reflective to at least one of electromagnetic energy, ultrasonic energy, and thermal energy.
-
490. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes an inner surface that is internally reflective to electromagnetic radiation.
-
491. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a surface that is internally reflective to ultraviolet radiation.
-
492. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a surface that is internally reflective to infrared radiation.
-
493. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a surface having a reflective coating.
-
494. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes a reflective material.
-
495. The shunt assembly of claim 494, wherein the reflective material comprises at least one of aluminum, barium sulfate, gold, silver, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.
-
496. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes an ultraviolet energy reflective material.
-
497. The shunt assembly of claim 496, wherein the ultraviolet energy reflective material comprises barium sulfate.
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498. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes an optically transparent component that directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
499. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component includes one or more electromagnetic energy waveguides.
-
500. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component includes one or more optical waveguides.
-
501. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component comprises a light-transmitting material.
-
502. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component comprises one or more optical fibers.
-
503. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component extends substantially longitudinally along at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
504. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component extends substantially laterally within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
505. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component extends substantially helically within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways
-
506. The shunt assembly of claim 498, wherein the optically transparent component comprises an optically transparent material.
-
507. The shunt assembly of claim 506, wherein the optically transparent material includes one or more of acetal copolymers, acrylic, glass, AgBr, AgCl, Al2O3, GeAsSe glass, BaF2, CaF2, CdTe, AsSeTe glass, CsI, diamond, GaAs, Ge, ITRAN materials, KBr, thallium bromide-Iodide, LiF, MgF2, NaCl, polyethylene, Pyrex, Si, SiO2, ZnS, ZnSe, thermoplastic polymers, or thermoset polymers, or composites thereof.
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508. The shunt assembly of claim 506, wherein the optically transparent material includes one or more of acrylonitrile butadaine styrene polymers, cellulosic, epoxy, ethylene butyl acrylate, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, fluorinated ethylene propylene, furan, nylon, phenolic, poly[2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene], poly[2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene], poly[2,3-(perfluoroalkenyl)perfluorotetrahydrofuran], polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polybenzimidazole, polycarbonate, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, polyimide, polymethyl methacrylate, polynorbornene, polyperfluoroalkoxyethylene, polystyrene, polysulfone, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, diallyl phthalate, thermoplastic elastomer, transparent polymers, or vinyl ester, or composites thereof.
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509. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes one or more optical waveguides received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the one or more optical waveguides photonically coupleable to at least one of the one or more energy emitters and configured to direct an emitted energy stimulus into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
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510. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to sufficiently internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus to generate an evanescent electromagnetic field across one or more regions of the body structure.
-
511. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to sufficiently internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus to cause an evanescent electromagnetic field to emanate from at least a portion of the body structure.
-
512. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
513. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein at least a portion of the body structure is configured to totally internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus propagated within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
473. The shunt assembly of claim 472, wherein the means for reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus includes
-
-
514. A shunt assembly, comprising:
-
a body structure defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a biological subject;
at least a portion of the body structure configured to reflecting at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within the interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways; andone or more energy emitters configured to emit the energy stimulus to an interior at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways. - View Dependent Claims (515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540)
-
515. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
- wherein the first energy stimulus comprises an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
516. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein the at least a portion of the body structure is configured to laterally internally reflect or longitudinally internally reflect electromagnetic radiation transmitted within the interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
517. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of the body structure includes an optical material that internally reflects at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus present within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
518. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of a body structure includes an optical material that internally reflects at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus within an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, without substantially permitting the transmission of the emitted energy stimulus through an exterior of the body structure.
-
519. The shunt assembly of claim 514, further comprising:
one or more optical materials forming at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the one or more optical materials configured to limit an amount of the energy stimulus that can traverse within the one or more fluid-flow passageways and through an outer surface of the body structure.
-
520. The shunt assembly of claim 514, further comprising:
one or more optical materials on at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways to internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
521. The shunt assembly of claim 514, further comprising:
at least one outer internally reflective coating on a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
522. The shunt assembly of claim 514, further comprising:
at least one inner internally reflective coating on a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
523. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that internally directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
524. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical material that internally directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
525. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface configured to laterally internally reflect or longitudinally internally reflect electromagnetic radiation transmitted therethrough.
-
526. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a reflective surface capable of reflecting at least about 50 percent of an energy stimulus emitted by the one or more energy emitters that impinges on the reflective surface.
-
527. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of a body structure defining the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a reflective surface that is reflective at a first wavelength and transmissive at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.
-
528. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes one or more internally reflective components configured to manage a delivery of light to a biological fluid received within the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and to manage a collection of reflected light from the biological fluid.
-
529. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an optical component that directs a first portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and an optical component that directs a second portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in one or more regions of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
530. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a first optical component configured to direct at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second optical component configured to direct at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially lateral direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
-
531. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least a portion of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a first optical component that directs at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a first region of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second optical component that directs at least a portion of the emitted energy stimulus along a substantially longitudinal direction in a second region of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the second region different from the first region.
-
532. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface that is reflective to at least one of electromagnetic energy, ultrasonic energy, and thermal energy.
-
533. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an inner surface that is internally reflective to electromagnetic radiation.
-
534. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface that is internally reflective to ultraviolet radiation.
-
535. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface that is internally reflective to infrared radiation.
-
536. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a surface having a reflective coating.
-
537. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes a reflective material.
-
538. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein the reflective material comprises at least one of aluminum, barium sulfate, gold, silver, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.
-
539. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways includes an ultraviolet energy reflective material.
-
540. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein the ultraviolet energy reflective material comprises barium sulfate.
-
515. The shunt assembly of claim 514, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
-
-
541. An indwelling shunt apparatus, comprising:
-
a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject, the body structure having a plurality of actuatable regions that are independently actuatable between at least a first transmissive state and a second transmissive state; a sensor component including one or more sensors configured to detect at least one characteristic associated with a biological sample proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure; and one or more energy emitters configured to emit an energy stimulus based at least in part on at least one detected characteristic associated with the biological sample. - View Dependent Claims (542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575)
-
542. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions is energetically actuatable between an optically transparent state and an optically reflective state.
-
543. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions includes one or more actively controllable reflective or transmissive components.
-
544. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions is controllably actuatable between an optically transparent state and an optically reflective state.
-
545. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions is actively controllable between a transmissive state and a reflective state.
-
546. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions is actively controllable between a transmissive state and a less transmissive state.
-
547. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions is configured to outwardly transmit or internally reflect an energy stimulus propagated through at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
548. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component is configured to detect at least one of a characteristic of a cerebrospinal fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways, a characteristic of a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways, and a physiological characteristic of the biological subject.
-
549. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, further comprising
a controller operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions, the controller configured to cause an outward-transmission or internal-reflection of an energy stimulus propagated through at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways based on detected information from the sensor component. -
550. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more electrochemical transducers, photochemical transducer, optical transducers, piezoelectrical transducers, or thermal transducers.
-
551. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more thermal detectors, photovoltaic detectors, or photomultiplier detectors.
-
552. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more charge coupled devices, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices, photodiode image sensor devices, whispering gallery mode micro cavity devices, or scintillation detector devices.
-
553. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more ultrasonic transducers.
-
554. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more density sensors.
-
555. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the one or more density sensors include one or more optical density sensors.
-
556. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the one or more density sensors include one or more refractive index sensors.
-
557. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the one or more refractive index sensors include one or more fiber optic refractive index sensors.
-
558. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more surface plasmon resonance sensors.
-
559. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more localized surface plasmon resonance sensors.
-
560. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes a light transmissive support and a reflective metal layer.
-
561. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more acoustic biosensors, amperometric biosensors, calorimetric biosensors, optical biosensors, or potentiometric biosensors.
-
562. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more fluid flow sensors.
-
563. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more differential electrodes.
-
564. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more biological mass sensors.
-
565. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more immuno sensors.
-
566. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes one or more functionalized cantilevers.
-
567. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes a biological molecule capture layer.
-
568. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes biological molecule capture layer having an array of different binding molecules that specifically bind one or more target molecules.
-
569. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component includes a spectrometer.
-
570. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is configured to detect a fluorescence associated with an autofluorescent material of biological sample proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure.
-
571. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is configured to detect at least one of an emitted energy and a remitted energy, and to generate a response based on the detected at least one of the emitted energy or the remitted energy.
-
572. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the biological sample includes at least one of an autofluorescence, an immunofluorescence, or an indirect immunofluorescence.
-
573. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, further comprising:
one or more optical materials on at least a portion of a body structure to internally reflect at least a portion of an emitted energy stimulus from the one or more energy emitters into an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
574. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the indwelling shunt is operatively couple to one or more remote sensors.
-
575. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein the sensor component is operatively couple to one or more distal sensors.
-
542. The indwelling shunt apparatus of claim 541, wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable regions is energetically actuatable between an optically transparent state and an optically reflective state.
-
-
576. An implantable shunt system, comprising:
-
a shunt assembly having a body structure including at least an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject; and one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates configured to deliver a sterilizing energy stimulus to one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure, the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates defining at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure. - View Dependent Claims (577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594)
-
577. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent.
-
578. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive coating material.
-
579. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light energy in the presence of an energy stimulus.
-
580. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light energy in the presence of an electrical potential.
-
581. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent having one or more photoabsorption bands in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
-
582. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a radiation emitting coating.
-
583. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a ultraviolet energy emitting coating.
-
584. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include one or more ultraviolet energy emitting phosphors.
-
585. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include one or more ultraviolet energy nanoparticles.
-
586. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive coating material.
-
587. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent.
-
588. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light energy in the presence of an energy stimulus.
-
589. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light B energy in the presence of an energy stimulus.
-
590. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light C energy in the presence of an energy stimulus.
-
591. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a trivalent phosphate configured to emit ultraviolet light C energy in the presence of an energy stimulus.
-
592. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent configured to emit ultraviolet light energy in the presence of an electrical potential.
-
593. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent having one or more photoabsorption bands in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
-
594. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent configured to emit germicidal light.
-
577. The implantable shunt system of claim 576, wherein the one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates include a photoactive agent.
-
-
595. A method, comprising:
concurrently or sequentially delivering to one or more regions of at least one fluid-flow passageway of an indwelling implant cerebrospinal fluid management system a temporally patterned sterilizing energy stimulus via one or more selectively activateable ultraviolet energy delivering substrates configured to independently activate in response to a real-time detected measurand associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway.
-
596. A medical device, comprising:
-
a body structure defining one or more shunts, the body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways, at least a portion of the body structure including one or more self-cleaning surface regions; and one or more energy emitters configured to emit an energy stimulus, the one or more energy emitters operatively coupled to the plurality of electromagnetic energy waveguides. - View Dependent Claims (597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610)
-
597. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include a self-cleaning coating composition.
-
598. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include an energy-activateable self-cleaning material.
-
599. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include a chemically activateable self-cleaning material.
-
600. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include one or more of titanium dioxide, superhydrophobic materials, or carbon nanotubes with nanoscopic paraffin coatings.
-
601. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include one or more of non-fouling zwitterionic polymers, zwitterionic surface forming materials, zwitterionic polymers, poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) (pCBMA), poly(carboxybetaine acrylic amide) (pCBAA), poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (pOEGMA), poly(N,N-dimethyl-N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-N-[2′
- -(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-ammonium bromide), cationic pC8NMA, switchable pCBMA-1 C2, or pCBMA-2.
-
602. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include one or more antimicrobial agents.
-
603. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include a coating configured to generate a reactive oxygen specie or a reactive nitrogen specie when exposed to an energy stimulus.
-
604. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include a self-cleaning coating configured to hydrolyze when exposed to an energy stimulus.
-
605. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include a self-cleaning coating configured to degrade when exposed to an energy stimulus.
-
606. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include one or more reflective materials and one or more self-cleaning materials.
-
607. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include one or more reflective coatings and one or more self-cleaning coatings.
-
608. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include at least one of an antimicrobial coating and a non-fouling coating.
-
609. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include an antimicrobial and a non-fouling coating.
-
610. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include a surface region that is energetically actuatable between an antimicrobial state and a non-fouling state.
-
597. The medical device of claim 596, wherein the one or more self-cleaning surface regions include a self-cleaning coating composition.
-
-
611. An implantable shunt system, comprising:
-
a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more shunts configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject, the body structure having one or more surface regions that are controllably actuatable between at least a first wettability state and a second wettability state; and one or more energy emitters configured to direct an energy stimulus to at least one of an interior and an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce programmed cell death of at least a portion of cells proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure. - View Dependent Claims (612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621)
-
612. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between a first wettability state and a second wettability state.
-
613. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region that is UV-manipulatable between at least a first wettability and a second wettability.
-
614. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region having at least one ZnO nano-rod film, coating, or material that is UV-manipulatable between a superhydrophobic state and superhydrophilic state.
-
615. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between a substantially hydrophobic state and a substantially hydrophilic state.
-
616. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between at least a first hydrophilic state and a second hydrophilic state.
-
617. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between a hydrophobic state and a hydrophilic state.
-
618. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region having a material that is switchable between a zwitterionic state and a non-zwitterionic state.
-
619. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes at least one of an antimicrobial coating and a non-fouling coating.
-
620. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes an antimicrobial and a non-fouling coating.
-
621. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between an antimicrobial state and a non-fouling state.
-
612. The implantable shunt system of claim 611, wherein the body structure includes a surface region that is energetically actuatable between a first wettability state and a second wettability state.
-
-
622. An implantable shunt, comprising:
-
a body structure defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a biological subject;
at least a portion of the body structure including a surface region that is energetically actuatable between at least a first wettability state and a second wettability state; andone or more energy emitters configured to emit the energy stimulus to an interior at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways. - View Dependent Claims (623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630)
-
623. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
- wherein the first energy stimulus comprises an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
624. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the surface region is configured to actuate between the at least a first wettability state and a second wettability state in the presence of an ultraviolent energy.
-
625. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the surface region is configured to electro-chemically actuate between the at least a first wettability state and a second wettability state in the presence of an ultraviolent energy.
-
626. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the surface region is configured to photo-chemically actuate between a substantially hydrophobic state and a substantially hydrophilic state.
-
627. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the surface region is configured to electrically actuate between a substantially hydrophobic state and a substantially hydrophilic state.
-
628. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the surface region is configured to energetically actuate between at least a first hydrophilic state and a second hydrophilic state.
-
629. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the surface region is configured to energetically actuate between a hydrophobic state and a hydrophilic state.
-
630. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the surface region is configured to switch between a zwitterionic state and a non-zwitterionic state.
-
623. The implantable shunt of claim 622, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
-
-
631. An implantable shunt device, comprising:
-
a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject; one or more energy emitters configured to direct an energy stimulus to at least one of an interior and an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce programmed cell death without substantially inducing necrosis of at least a portion of cells proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure; a sensor component including one or more sensors configured to detect at least one of an emitted optical energy and a remitted optical energy from a one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure; and one or more computer-readable memory media having cerebrospinal fluid information configured as a data structure. - View Dependent Claims (632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639)
-
632. The implantable shunt device of claim 631, wherein the cerebrospinal fluid information configured as the data structure includes at least one of psychosis state marker information, psychosis trait marker information, and psychosis indication information.
-
633. The implantable shunt device of claim 631, wherein the cerebrospinal fluid information configured as the data structure includes at least one of psychosis state indication information, psychosis trait indication information, and predisposition for a psychosis indication information.
-
634. The implantable shunt device of claim 631, wherein the cerebrospinal fluid information configured as the data structure includes at least one of infection indication information, inflammation indication information, diseased state indication information, and diseased tissue indication information.
-
635. The implantable shunt device of claim 631, further comprising:
a controller operably coupled to the sensor component.
-
636. The implantable shunt device of claim 635, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of a detected at least one of an emitted optical energy and a remitted optical energy to stored reference data, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
-
637. The implantable shunt device of claim 636, wherein the response includes at least one of a response signal, a control signal, a change to an energy stimulus parameter, a change in an excitation intensity, a change in an excitation frequency, a change in an excitation pulse frequency, a change in an excitation pulse ratio, a change in an excitation pulse intensity, a change in an excitation pulse duration time, a change in an excitation pulse repetition rate, and a change in an energy stimulus delivery regimen parameter.
-
638. The implantable shunt device of claim 636, wherein the response includes at least one of activating an authorization protocol, activating an authentication protocol, activating a software update protocol, activating a data transfer protocol, and activating an infection sterilization diagnostic protocol.
-
639. The implantable shunt device of claim 636, wherein the response includes sending information associated with at least one of an authentication protocol, an authorization protocol, a delivery protocol, an activation protocol, an encryption protocol, and a decryption protocol.
-
632. The implantable shunt device of claim 631, wherein the cerebrospinal fluid information configured as the data structure includes at least one of psychosis state marker information, psychosis trait marker information, and psychosis indication information.
-
-
640. An implantable shunt device, comprising:
-
a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject; one or more energy emitters configured to direct an energy stimulus to at least one of an interior and an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce programmed cell death without substantially inducing necrosis of at least a portion of cells proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body structure; and a disinfecting agent assembly including at least one disinfecting agent reservoir, the disinfecting agent assembly configured to deliver one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways. - View Dependent Claims (641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661)
-
641. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more energy-activateable disinfecting agents.
-
642. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more photoactive agents.
-
643. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more X-ray absorbers.
-
644. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more radiation absorbers.
-
645. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more active agents that selectively target bacteria.
-
646. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more antimicrobial agents.
-
647. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more antimicrobial peptides.
-
648. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more antibacterial agents.
-
649. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein one or more antibacterial agents include one or more antibacterial drugs.
-
650. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly is configured to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a spatially patterned distribution.
-
651. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly is configured to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a temporally patterned distribution.
-
652. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein further comprising:
-
a plurality of spaced apart release ports; and at least one controller operably coupled to one or more of the plurality of spaced-apart release ports and configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of spaced apart release ports between an active agent discharge state and an active agent retention state.
-
-
653. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, further comprising:
at least one controller operably coupled to the disinfecting agent assembly and configured to control at least one of a delivery rate, a delivery amount, a delivery composition, and a delivery pattern associated with the delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
654. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly is further configured to deliver one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
655. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, further comprising:
at least one controller operably coupled to the disinfecting agent assembly and configured to control at least one of a delivery rate, a delivery amount, a delivery composition, and a delivery pattern associated with the delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an exterior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
656. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart release ports adapted to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a spatially patterned distribution.
-
657. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, further comprising:
at least one controller operably coupled to one or more of the plurality of spaced apart release ports and configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of spaced apart release ports between a disinfecting agent discharge state and a disinfecting agent retention state.
-
658. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart controllable-release ports adapted to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a spatially patterned distribution.
-
659. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the disinfecting agent assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart controllable-release ports adapted to deliver the one or more disinfecting agents in a temporally patterned distribution.
-
660. The implantable shunt device of claim 659, further comprising:
-
at least one controller operably coupled to one or more of the spaced-apart controllable-release ports and configured to control at least one of a port release rate, a port release amount, or a port release pattern associated with a delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents.
-
-
661. The implantable shunt device of claim 659, further comprising:
-
at least one processor, the processor operably coupled to the disinfecting agent assembly and configured to control at least one of a port release rate, a port release amount, or a port release pattern associated with the delivery of the one or more disinfecting agents from the at least one disinfecting agent reservoir to an interior of at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
-
641. The implantable shunt device of claim 640, wherein the one or more disinfecting agents include one or more energy-activateable disinfecting agents.
-
-
662. A method, comprising:
-
selectively energizing one or more regions of an indwelling shunt having body structure defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a biological subject via one or more one or more energy emitters, and delivering an active agent composition to the one or more regions proximate at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface of the indwelling shunt via one or more disinfecting agent assemblies in response to an automatically detected measurand associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageway. - View Dependent Claims (663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675)
-
663. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes delivering an electromagnetic energy stimulus to one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the indwelling shunt determined to have an infectious agent presence, the electromagnetic energy stimulus at a dose sufficient to attenuate an activity of the infectious agent.
-
664. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes delivering at least one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, and a thermal energy stimulus in response to automatically detected measurand associated with biological sample proximate the at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the indwelling shunt.
-
665. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes delivering at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus to the one or more regions, the second energy stimulus having at least one of an emission intensity, an emission phase, an emission polarization, and an emission wavelength different from the first energy stimulus.
-
666. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a first energy stimulus to a first region and a second energy stimulus to a second region.
-
667. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a first spatially patterned energy stimulus to a first region and a second spatially patterned energy stimulus to a second region.
-
668. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes delivering a temporally patterned energy stimulus to the one or more regions.
-
669. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes concurrently or sequentially delivering a first energy stimulus to at least a first region and a second energy stimulus to at least a second region, the first energy stimulus comprising one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprising a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
670. The method of claim 662, wherein delivering the active agent composition includes delivering an antimicrobial agent composition at a dose sufficient to attenuate an activity of the infectious agent in response to an automatically detected measurand associated with the biological sample.
-
671. The method of claim 662, wherein delivering the active agent composition includes delivering an energy-activateable antimicrobial agent composition including at least one photoactive agent, or a metabolic precursor thereof.
-
672. The method of claim 662, wherein delivering the active agent composition includes delivering an energy-activateable antimicrobial agent composition including at least one X-ray absorber.
-
673. The method of claim 662, wherein delivering the active agent composition includes delivering an energy-activateable antimicrobial agent composition including at least one radiation absorber.
-
674. The method of claim 662, wherein delivering the active agent composition includes delivering an energy-activateable antimicrobial agent composition including at least one active agent that selectively targets bacteria.
-
675. The method of claim 662, wherein delivering the active agent composition includes delivering a superoxide-forming composition.
-
663. The method of claim 662, wherein selectively energizing the one or more regions includes delivering an electromagnetic energy stimulus to one or more regions proximate at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the indwelling shunt determined to have an infectious agent presence, the electromagnetic energy stimulus at a dose sufficient to attenuate an activity of the infectious agent.
-
-
676. A cerebrospinal fluid shunt, comprising:
-
circuitry configured to energizing one or more regions of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt having a body structure defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a biological subject; and circuitry configured to obtain information. - View Dependent Claims (677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699)
-
677. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes circuitry configured to obtain information associated with energizing one or more regions of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt.
-
678. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one of a receiver and a transceiver configured to obtain at least one of a command stream, a software stream, and a data stream.
-
679. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one of a receiver and a transceiver configured to obtain information regarding a target detection set of one or more characteristics associated with the biological subject.
-
680. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
681. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected physiological characteristic associated with the biological subject.
-
682. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with the biological subject.
-
683. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver is configured to acquire instructions.
-
684. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver is configured to acquire information associated with delivery of the energy stimulus.
-
685. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver is configured to acquire information associated with delivery of a disinfecting agent.
-
686. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver is configured to acquire data.
-
687. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver is configured to receive stored reference data.
-
688. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver is configured to acquire software.
-
689. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver is configured to receive data from one or more distal sensors.
-
690. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
691. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, further comprising:
circuitry configured to provide information.
-
692. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 691, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information includes at least one of a transmitter and a transceiver configured to provide status information.
-
693. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 691, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information includes circuitry configured to provide information regarding at least one characteristic associated with the cerebrospinal fluid of the biological subject.
-
694. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 691, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information includes circuitry configured to provide information regarding at least one characteristic associated with a tissue proximate the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
695. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 691, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information includes circuitry configured to provide information regarding at least one physiological characteristic associated with the biological subject.
-
696. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 691, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information includes at least one transmitter configured to send information based at least in part on a detected characteristic associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways.
-
697. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 691, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information includes the at least one transmitter is configured to send a request for transmission of at least one of data, a command, an authorization, an update, and a code.
-
698. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 691, further comprising:
one or more processors configured to perform a comparison of at least one physiological characteristic of the biological subject to the obtained information, and to generate a response based at least in part on the comparison.
-
699. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 698, wherein the generated response includes causing the obtained information to be stored in one or more data structures.
-
677. The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 676, wherein the circuitry configured to obtain information includes circuitry configured to obtain information associated with energizing one or more regions of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt.
-
-
700. An implantable fluid management device, comprising:
-
a cerebrospinal fluid catheter assembly defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a subject; a first actively controllable excitation component configured to deliver, in vivo, a first sterilizing energy stimulus to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways; a second actively controllable excitation component configured to deliver, in vivo, a second sterilizing energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device; and a control means operably coupled to at least one of the first actively controllable excitation component and the second actively controllable excitation component. - View Dependent Claims (701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707)
-
701. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the implantable fluid management device is configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver the first sterilizing energy stimulus to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and the second sterilizing energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device.
-
702. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the first sterilizing energy stimulus or the second sterilizing energy stimulus comprises an electromagnetic stimulus, an electrical stimulus, an ultrasonic stimulus, or a thermal stimulus.
-
703. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the first sterilizing energy stimulus comprises one of an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, or a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus, and the second sterilizing energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, or a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus.
-
704. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the implantable fluid management device is configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
- wherein the first energy stimulus comprises one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
705. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the implantable fluid management device is configured to provide an illumination pattern to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an illumination intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission wavelength, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, and a pulse frequency different from the first region.
-
706. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the implantable fluid management device is configured to provide an illumination pattern to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device, the illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an illumination intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission wavelength, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, and a pulse frequency different from the first region.
-
707. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the implantable fluid management device is configured to concurrently or sequentially emit at least one of the first sterilizing energy stimulus and the second sterilizing energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to inactivate an infectious agent proximate an outer or inner portion of the implantable device.
-
701. The implantable fluid management device of claim 700, wherein the implantable fluid management device is configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver the first sterilizing energy stimulus to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and the second sterilizing energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device.
-
-
708. An implantable fluid management device, comprising:
-
a cerebrospinal fluid catheter assembly defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a subject; an actively controllable excitation component configured to independently deliver, in vivo, at least one of a first sterilizing energy stimulus to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and a second sterilizing energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device; and a control means operably coupled to the actively controllable excitation component. - View Dependent Claims (709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725)
-
709. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the actively controllable excitation component is configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver the first sterilizing energy stimulus to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and the second sterilizing energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device.
-
710. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the first sterilizing energy stimulus or the second sterilizing energy stimulus comprises an electromagnetic stimulus, an electrical stimulus, an ultrasonic stimulus, or a thermal stimulus.
-
711. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the first sterilizing energy stimulus comprises one of an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, or a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus, and the second sterilizing energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electrical sterilizing energy stimulus, an electromagnetic sterilizing energy stimulus, an ultrasonic sterilizing energy stimulus, or a thermal sterilizing energy stimulus.
-
712. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the actively controllable excitation component is configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver at least a first energy stimulus and a second energy stimulus, the second energy stimulus different from the first energy stimulus;
- wherein the first energy stimulus comprises one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus, and the second energy stimulus comprises a different one of an electromagnetic energy stimulus, an electrical energy stimulus, an ultrasonic energy stimulus, or a thermal energy stimulus.
-
713. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the actively controllable excitation component is configured to provide an illumination pattern to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways, the illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an illumination intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission wavelength, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, and a pulse frequency different from the first region.
-
714. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the actively controllable excitation component is configured to provide an illumination pattern to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device, the illumination pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an illumination intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission wavelength, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, and a pulse frequency different from the first region.
-
715. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the actively controllable excitation component is configured to concurrently or sequentially emit at least one of the first sterilizing energy stimulus and the second sterilizing energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to inactivate an infectious agent present in the biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and the tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device.
-
716. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, further comprising:
a cryptographic logic component.
-
717. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to implement at least one cryptographic process or cryptographic logic.
-
718. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to implement one or more processes associated with at least one of a cryptographic protocol, a decryption protocol, and an encryption protocol.
-
719. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to implement one or more processes associated with at least one of a regulatory compliance protocol, a regulatory use protocol, an authentication protocol, an authorization protocol, a delivery protocol, and an activation protocol.
-
720. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component comprises one or more crypto-algorithms, signal-bearing media, crypto controllers, or cryptographic modules.
-
721. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to generate information associated with at least one of an authentication protocol, an authorization protocol, a delivery protocol, an activation protocol, an encryption protocol, and a decryption protocol.
-
722. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to generate information associated at least one of an authorization instruction, an authentication instruction, a prescription dosing instruction, a sterilizing energy stimulus administration instruction, and a prescribed regimen instruction.
-
723. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to generate information associated with at least one of an instruction stream, an encrypted data stream, an authentication data stream, and an authorization data stream.
-
724. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to generate information associated with at least one of an activation code, an error code, a command code, and an authorization code.
-
725. The implantable fluid management device of claim 716, wherein the cryptographic logic component is configured to generate information associated with at least one of a cryptographic protocol, a decryption protocol, an encryption protocol, a regulatory compliance protocol, and regulatory use protocol.
-
709. The implantable fluid management device of claim 708, wherein the actively controllable excitation component is configured to concurrently or sequentially deliver the first sterilizing energy stimulus to a biological fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways and the second sterilizing energy stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implantable fluid management device.
-
-
726. An implantable shunt system, comprising:
-
a body structure having a surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways configured to receive a biological fluid of a biological subject; and one or more energy emitters configured to emit a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of at least a portion of cells within the biological fluid proximate the surface of the body structure in response to a determination that an infectious agent is present within the biological fluid. - View Dependent Claims (727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739)
-
727. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configure to emit a sufficient amount of a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to increase the temperature of at least a portion of a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways by about 3°
- C. to about 22°
C.
- C. to about 22°
-
728. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configure to emit a sufficient amount of a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to increase the temperature of at least a portion of a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways by about 3°
- C. to about 10°
C.
- C. to about 10°
-
729. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configure to emit a sufficient amount of a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to increase the temperature of at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways by about 3°
- C. to about 4°
C.
- C. to about 4°
-
730. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to elevate a temperature at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways from about 37°
- C. to less than about 60°
C.
- C. to less than about 60°
-
731. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to elevate a temperature at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways from about 37°
- C. to less than about 47°
C.
- C. to less than about 47°
-
732. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to elevate a temperature of at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways from about 37°
- C. to less than about 45°
C.
- C. to less than about 45°
-
733. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to elevate a temperature of at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways from about 37°
- C. to less than about 42°
C.
- C. to less than about 42°
-
734. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to deliver a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to elevate temperature of at least a portion of cells within a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways from about a normal body temperature to a temperature ranging from greater than about 41°
- C. to less than about 63°
C.
- C. to less than about 63°
-
735. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to emit a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce programmed cell death without substantially inducing necrosis of an infectious agent within a cerebrospinal fluid proximate the surface of the body structure.
-
736. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein at least one of the one or more energy emitters is configured to emit an energy stimulus of a character and for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis without substantially inducing necrosis of a pathogen within a cerebrospinal proximate the surface of the body structure.
-
737. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein the body structure includes one or more cerebrospinal fluid shunts configured to drain cerebrospinal fluid from a region of a brain of the biological subject.
-
738. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein the body structure includes one or more cannulas configured to drain a cerebrospinal fluid from a ventricle of a brain of the biological subject.
-
739. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein the body structure includes a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
-
727. The implantable shunt system of claim 726, wherein the one or more energy emitters are configure to emit a sufficient amount of a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to increase the temperature of at least a portion of a cerebrospinal fluid received within at least one of the one or more fluid-flow passageways by about 3°
-
-
740. A method of inhibiting a microbial colonization in the cerebrospinal fluid of a biological subject, comprising:
selectively energizing one or more regions of at least one cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway of an indwelling implant via one or more pulsed thermal stimuli emitting components in response to an automatically detected optical density parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway. - View Dependent Claims (741, 742, 743)
-
741. The method of claim 740, wherein selectively energizing includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a first pulsed thermal stimulus to a first region and a second pulsed thermal stimulus to a second region.
-
742. The method of claim 740, wherein selectively energizing includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a pulsed thermal stimulus to a first region and at least one of a pulsed electromagnetic stimulus, a pulsed electrical s stimulus, or a pulsed ultrasonic stimulus to a second region.
-
743. The method of claim 740, further comprising:
delivering an active agent composition to one or more regions of at least one fluid-flow passageway of an in vivo implanted cerebrospinal fluid management system in response to an automatically detected optical density parameter associated with a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway.
-
741. The method of claim 740, wherein selectively energizing includes concurrently or sequentially delivering at least a first pulsed thermal stimulus to a first region and a second pulsed thermal stimulus to a second region.
-
744. A method, comprising:
providing a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to an interior of at least one cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway of an implanted device in response to a change in a refractive index parameter indicative of a presence of an infectious agent within the at least one cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway of the implanted device. - View Dependent Claims (745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751)
-
745. The method of claim 744, wherein providing the pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus includes providing a spatially patterned pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus having at least a first region and a second region different from the first region.
-
746. The method of claim 744, wherein providing the pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus includes delivering a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus including at least a first pulsed waveform segment and a second pulsed waveform segment, the second pulsed waveform segment having a spatial profile different from the first pulsed waveform segment.
-
747. The method of claim 744, wherein providing the pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus includes providing a thermal pattern comprising at least a first region and a second region, the second region having at least one of an intensity, an energy-emitting pattern, a peak emission, an ON-pulse duration, an OFF-pulse duration, or a pulse frequency different from the first region.
-
748. The method of claim 744, wherein providing the pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus includes providing a voltage to a cerebrospinal fluid received within the interior of at least one fluid-flow passageway, the voltage of sufficient strength or duration so as to cause a temperature elevation in region of a cerebrospinal fluid received within the at least one fluid-flow passageway from about a 37°
- C. to a temperature ranging from greater than about 41°
C. to less than about 63°
C.
- C. to a temperature ranging from greater than about 41°
-
749. The method of claim 744, further comprising:
providing a pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to a tissue proximate an outer surface of the implanted device.
-
750. The method of claim 749, wherein providing pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus includes independently delivering, in vivo, at least one of a first pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to a cerebrospinal fluid received within the interior of at least one fluid-flow passageway and a second pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to a tissue proximate the outer surface of the implanted device.
-
751. The method of claim 749, wherein providing pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus includes independently delivering, in vivo, at least one of a first pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to a cerebrospinal fluid received within the interior of at least one fluid-flow passageway and a second pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus to a tissue proximate the outer surface of the implanted cerebrospinal fluid management device in response to a real-time detected change in an index of refraction parameter associated with the cerebrospinal fluid received within the interior of at least one fluid-flow passageway.
-
745. The method of claim 744, wherein providing the pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus includes providing a spatially patterned pulsed thermal sterilizing stimulus having at least a first region and a second region different from the first region.
-
752. A method, comprising:
delivering one or more pulsed thermal stimuli to at least one of an interior or an exterior of a cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway of an indwelling implant apparatus in response to an in vivo detected change in a refractive parameter indicative of a presence of an infectious agent proximate the exterior or the interior of the cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway. - View Dependent Claims (753)
-
753. The method of claim 752, wherein delivering the one or more pulsed thermal stimuli includes delivering one or more pulsed thermal stimuli to at least one of an interior or an exterior of a cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway of an indwelling cerebrospinal fluid management implant.
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753. The method of claim 752, wherein delivering the one or more pulsed thermal stimuli includes delivering one or more pulsed thermal stimuli to at least one of an interior or an exterior of a cerebrospinal fluid-flow passageway of an indwelling cerebrospinal fluid management implant.
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754. A method, comprising:
concurrently or sequentially delivering two or more energy stimuli to an interior surface and an exterior surface of a body structure of an indwelling apparatus in response to a detected parameter associated with one or more of a cerebrospinal fluid received within the interior of the body structure, a detected parameter associated with a tissue proximate the exterior surface, and a physiological characteristic associated with a biological subject.
Specification
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Current AssigneeGearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
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Original AssigneeSearete LLC A Limited Liability Corporation of The State of Delaware
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InventorsIshikawa, Muriel Y., Smith, Michael A., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Rivet, Dennis J., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Wood, Victoria Y.H., Leuthardt, Eric C., Dacey, Ralph G. JR.
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current604/8
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CPC Class CodesA61B 18/20 using laserA61B 5/0084 for introduction into the b...A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impeda...A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics o...A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced i...A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g....A61B 5/14539 for measuring pHA61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not ...A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced i...A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced i...A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsisA61L 2/0011 using physical methodsA61L 2/08 RadiationA61L 2/14 Plasma, i.e. ionised gasesA61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. e...A61M 27/006 Cerebrospinal drainage; Acc...A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for impla...A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological ...A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or da...A61N 1/3785 generated by biological act...A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy sourceA61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by...A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyp...A61N 2005/0651 : DiodesA61N 2005/0652 : Arrays of diodesA61N 2005/0661 : ultravioletA61N 5/02 : using microwavesA61N 5/0601 : Apparatus for use inside th...A61N 5/0624 : for eliminating microbes, g...A61N 5/10 : X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray th...A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotri...