Systems and methods for shunting fluid

US9744338B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ALCYONE LIFESCIENCES, INC. · US

Inventors

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

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 18, 2015
• Grant date: Aug 29, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 18, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2039/0018
• 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.