Medtronic, Inc.

Pudenz-schulte Medical Research Corporation

Leanne M Lintula

William Jeffrey Bertrand

Leonard Porche

Alfons Heindl

Stephen W Laguette

Gary P East

Ari Moskowitz

Tool for adjusting an implantable adjustable fluid flow control valve

Tools for determining and adjusting the setting of an adjustable valve are disclosed. These tools allow a medical professional to locate and non-invasively determine the setting of an implanted valve. After the valve has been located and the setting of the valve determined, the valve may be re-adjusted non-invasively. There are three tools: a locator tool, an indicator tool and an adjustment tool. The locator tool allows the physician to locate the adjustable valve of interest and align the locator tool with a specific orientation of the valve. The indicator tool indicates the current setting of the adjustable valve and confirms new settings of the valve after the new settings have been implemented. The adjustment tool interacts magnetically with the implanted adjustable valve to couple with a movable internal element to change the setting of the valve. The indicator tool and the adjustment tool physically cooperate with the locator tool to accomplish the respective functions of the tools.

A method of inserting a drainage catheter into a sagittal sinus having blood flow from an upstream to a downstream direction. A burr hole is created, if necessary, in the cranium of the patient proximate the sagittal sinus. A distal end of a catheter is inserted through the burr hole and the dura into the sagittal sinus. The distal end of the catheter is positioned so that the distal end points generally in the upstream direction with respect to the blood flow. A sagittal sinus catheter is adapted for placement through the dura of a patient proximate a superior sagittal sinus. The catheter is formed of semi-rigid material and has at least a ninety degree bend.

Apparatus and method for retrograde placement of sagittal sinus drainage catheter

A ventriculostomy reservoir includes a rigid base and an elastomeric cap which is positioned over the base to enclose a reservoir well. A rigid cap insert is captured by the lower portion of the cap and is positioned for engagement with the base. The cap insert and the base are configured so that the cap may be snap-fit onto the base in a manner forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween. In one form of the invention, the cap insert includes a cylindrical portion which extends downwardly from a flange-like portion captured within the cap, to fit within an upwardly extending wall portion of the base. The cylindrical portion includes an encircling protrusion on an exterior surface thereof which engages and fits within an encircling detent provided on the interior surface of the wall portion to snap-fit the cap to the base. In a second embodiment of the invention the cap insert exteriorly surrounds an upper end of the base, and a similar protrusion and detent arrangement is utilized to snap-fit the cap to the base. In a third embodiment of the invention the cap insert overlies an upper end of the base and is secured to the base through an interference fit both on interior and exterior surfaces of the wall portion of the base.

Ventriculostomy reservoir

A surgically implantable shunt system, including a flow control valve and an antechamber, is provided for controlling the release of entrapped body fluids. The flow control valve includes a pair of molded plastic bases situated, respectively, adjacent to an inlet and an outlet of the valve, which bases are situated within a flexible encasement. Each base includes an outer housing, a valve membrane carrier positioned within the housing, and a flow control member. The flow control members each include a rigid nail-like central support and a separate flexible resilient membrane positioned on the central support. A first flow control member is capable of selectively occluding the valve inlet, but is normally spaced from its base to permit free fluid flow through the inlet. The second flow control member is generally arch-shaped and resiliently biased to contact its respective base generally along the outer edge of the membrane in a manner permitting only controlled one-way flow through the valve. The antechamber permits injection of medication into the shunt between a proximal catheter and the distal flow control valve, and pumping of the medication in either direction. Additionally, a method for assembling the shunt system in a quick and economical manner is provided, which utilizes tapered grommets to anchor components in place prior to adhesively securing tubing to the flexible encasement.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Leanne M Lintula