Systems and methods for shunting fluid

US9629987B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Alcoyne Lifesciences, Inc. · US

Inventors

• P J Anand · Lowell, US
• Deep Arjun Singh · Cambridge, US
• Morgan Brophy · Somerville, US
• Timothy G. Fallon · Lake Saint Louis, US
• Robert Degon · Bellingham, US
• Matthew Attar · Seekonk, US
• Anthony Wong · Arlington, US
• Allison Waller · Blackstone, US
• Andrew East · Arlington, US
• Jon T. McIntyre · Newton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 22, 2014
• Grant date: Apr 25, 2017
• Expiry date: Jul 27, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2230/20
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked. Systems and methods for flushing a shunt system are also disclosed herein, as are various systems and methods for opening auxiliary fluid pathways through a shunt system.