Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc.

Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

International Paper Company

Robert G Kraus

Robert J Taylor

Alan Dextradeur

Stefan Meyer

Max Georg Ostermeier

Daniel J McCusker

Christophe Mauge

Volker Boedecker

Philip C Walker

Joseph J Praderio

Richard C Schneider

Herbert H Loeffler

Frederick W Faller

Charles Bridgham Worrick, Iii

James R Quick

Raphael F Meloul

John Buonanno

Alan J Dextradeur

Robert W Pike

Bhupendra C Patel

Enora S Kunica

Daniel J Mccusker

Robert Taylor

A shunt system includes a first catheter and a second catheter, each having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one opening adjacent to its distal end. A proximal end of a drainage catheter is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the first catheter and the proximal end of the second catheter. A first one-way valve is disposed in fluid communication with the first catheter between its proximal end and its at least one opening. The first one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from the proximal end to the at least one opening. A second one-way valve is disposed in fluid communication with the second catheter between its proximal end and its at least one opening. The second one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from the proximal end to the at least one opening.

Multi-branched anti-reflux valve

A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided.

Pressure sensing valve

Method for measuring ventricular pressure using a pressure sensing valve

A method for maintaining a medical device in a sterile atmosphere at a desired temperature during a calibration step is provided. The method includes packaging a medical device and temperature indicator in a sterile container such that the indicator is visible to a user. Next, heat can be applied to the container in order to stabilize the temperature of the container (as indicated by the encased temperature indicator) at room temperature. Once at room temperature, the device can be calibrated while remaining in the sterile atmosphere. A kit including such a container and a set of instructions is also provided. Like above, the container of the kit can include a sterile medical device and temperature indicator such that the device can be maintained in a sterile environment during calibration and/or zeroing. As such, the method and kit allow for increased precision and safety in performing medical procedures.

Method and kit for maintaining a sterile environment during calibration of a medical device

A shunt system for controlling the flow of fluid from one region of a patient to a different region of the patient's body. The shunt system includes endoscopic placement features so that the system can be placed endoscopically in a minimally invasive surgery. Also provided is a single fluid flow control device having flow control characteristics previously obtainable only by connecting in series two or more shunt system components. In addition, the shunt system includes a selectively engageable locking mechanism that allows the system to be assembled quickly and easily, without the need for sutures or adhesives. The present assembly process minimizes the possibility of any unintended fluid leakage from the device.

Hydrocephalus shunt system with endoscopic placement features

A needle or puncture guard that has inherent probe directing features for use in an in-line configured shunt valve is provided. The guard comprises a base member configured for mounting within the domed reservoir of the shunt valve, and a guide wall seated on the base member. The guide wall is defined by a top wall, an inner side wall, and an opposed outer side wall. The inner side wall has an indented section with an aperture extending through the indented section. The inner side wall can be concavely curved, while the indented section has a curvature that directs instruments that are pressed against the guide wall towards the aperture. A method for performing catheter revisions on a shunt system having a guard within the shunt valve is provided as well. Also provided is a method for placement of an intracranial pressure sensor percutaneously into a ventricular catheter for determining intracranial pressure.

Needle guard having inherent probe directing features

A shunt valve system includes an implantable shunt valve and a device for obtaining pressure setting information from the shunt valve after it is implanted under the scalp of a patient. The device includes a housing that is externally mountable on the patient's head proximate the shunt valve. A fluid-filled chamber is formed in the housing in which a ferromagnetic indicator is movable. The position of the ferromagnetic indicator corresponds to an indicator magnet located within the implanted shunt valve. In one embodiment, the indicator magnet is affixed to a cam which forms a portion of a stepping motor used to a select a pressure setting for the shunt valve. From the position of the ferromagnetic indicator, which corresponds to the indicator magnet and the cam, the pressure setting of the shunt valve can be determined.

Pressure indicator

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt valve includes a valve housing and a substantially flat stabilizing member that has a width substantially greater than that of the valve housing. The shunt valve is adapted for surgical implantation under the scalp of a patient to drain excess CSF from the brain. The stabilizing member rests on the skull of a patient and the stabilizing member is effective to prevent rotation of the shunt valve about a longitudinal axis thereof. The shunt valve includes a pressure adjustment mechanism disposed within the housing, for adjusting a threshold pressure at which fluid may flow through the shunt valve.

Pediatric programmable hydrocephalus valve

A device to stop the penetration of a cranial drill that is used to pierce the skull during neurosurgical procedures. The device uses a plurality of spacers that each have a body in the form of a cylinder having a bore extending therethrough with a flat disc adjacent the cylindrical body with a plurality of tabs fixed to the disk in a circumferential pattern around the bore and axially aligned therewith. The periphery of the disk having a diameter larger than the cylindrical body portion to form a gripping member. Each of the tabs having an indent positioned on an outer surface and an interior surface of the cylindrical body portion having a bead positioned around the interior diameter of the cylindrical body portion so that the indents in the tabs are adapted to engage and retain a bead of another spacer when the spacers are fitted together to define a drill stop. Each of the plurality of spacers are of different lengths than at least one of the other spacers.

Cranial drill stop

A surgical clip applier includes a pair of pivotal housing sections on which are provided a pair of clip actuating jaws. An elongated clip sleeve which receives a plurality of surgical clips arranged front to back in a row is mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement between the housing sections. The clip sleeve includes a pair of clip retaining jaws adjacent to its open front to receive and hold a surgical clip advanced from the clip sleeve between the clip actuating jaws on the housing sections. A pusher is mounted on the clip sleeve for engaging the rearmost clip in the row. The surgical clip applier includes a ratchet mechanism which is operable each time the clip sleeve is reciprocated to advance the pusher and the row of clips by one step corresponding to the length of one surgical clip in the row. The ratchet mechanism includes a first ratchet on the clip sleeve and a second ratchet on one of the housing sections which are engaged by pawls on opposite sides of the pusher. The surgical clip applier operates by a double pump action in which the housing sections are twice pivoted together and released. In the first pump action, the clip sleeve is reciprocated to load the frontmost surgical clip between the clip retaining jaws and to advance the surgical clip to a load position between the clip actuating jaws. In the second pump action, the clip actuating jaws are pivoted into engagement with the clip retaining jaws to actuate the surgical clip held by the clip retaining jaws.

Surgical clip applier with reciprocating clip sleeve and dual ratchet

Surgical clip applier

Surgical clip

A trocar apparatus and method for introducing a drainage catheter into a drainage area of the body. The trocar includes a hollow cannula and a rod. The rod has a closed distal end and is longer than the cannula so that it can slide into the cannula and, when fully inserted, project a predetermined distance past the distal end of the cannula. The proximal ends of the cannula and the rod have respective supports which will contact one another to limit the forward motion of the rod into the cannula and an interfitting device cooperatively disposed on the supports to permit the user to hold the rod and the cannula in fixed relationship during insertion of the trocar. A catheter holder is placed on the cannula support. The projecting end of the rod is inserted into a drainage opening in the distal tip of the catheter, and a proximal portion of the catheter is held in the catheter holder, so that prior to insertion the catheter is aligned generally along the outside of the cannula. The flexible tip of the rod aligns itself generally along the axis of the catheter, so that during insertion the catheter presents a small cross-section to the tissue through which it is advancing. After the catheter is advanced to its desired position in the body, the rod is withdrawn into the cannula to free the distal tip of the catheter, the proximal portion of the catheter is released from the catheter holder, and then the cannula and the rod are removed from the body leaving the catheter in place.

Trocar

An electrically conductive non-woven web for a heating element is formed from a non-woven sheet comprising conductive fibers which is saturated with a dispersion comprising conductive particles. Embodiments adapted for use at low voltages and at household voltages are provided. In a preferred, flame-resistant embodiment, the heating element is a sandwich containing, from bottom to top, a first insulating non-woven sheet comprising polyaramid fibers, an electrically conductive web comprising carbon fibers, polyaramid fibers, and carbon black. A pair of conductive strip attached in electrical contact to the web, and a second insulating non-woven sheet comprising polyaramid fibers.

Growing community of inventors

Attleboro, MA, United States of America

Robert G Kraus