Shunt
US6932787B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/8206
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A shunt for draining cerebral spinal fluid from the brain is provided. In an embodiment, the shunt includes a master control unit that is located in the abdomen, which interconnects a ventricular catheter and a second catheter, typically located in the peritoneal cavity. In a specific embodiment, the master control unit includes a variety of ‘smart’ features including at least one access port to allow the injection of solutions for the prevention or removal of blockages in the catheter, and/or antibiotics. The access port can have other uses, such as allowing a point of access for physical navigation of a catheter or the like within the shunt, thereby providing another option for breaking-up blockages, and/or allowing an access point for repairing the shunt's components. Additionally, the master control unit includes a diagnostic unit that transmits, either wirelessly or through a wired connection via the access port, diagnostic information about the status of the patient and/or the shunt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.