The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 22, 2015
Filed:
May. 19, 2011
Marek Swoboda, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Matias Gabriel Hochman, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Mark Evan Mattiucci, Newton Square, PA (US);
Frederick J. Fritz, Skillman, NJ (US);
Joseph R. Madsen, Newton Center, MA (US);
Marek Swoboda, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Matias Gabriel Hochman, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Mark Evan Mattiucci, Newton Square, PA (US);
Frederick J. Fritz, Skillman, NJ (US);
Joseph R. Madsen, Newton Center, MA (US);
ShuntCheck, Inc., Princeton, NJ (US);
The Children's Medical Center Corporation, Boston, MA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus capable of generating flow in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems by vibrating the shunt, tubing or shunt valve dome, or applying cyclical pressure to the various parts of the shunt system. A method of generating flow and method of using the apparatus in shunt patency assessment, for example, hydraulic resistance assessment, is also disclosed. The apparatus allows, in conjunction with a thermal dilution method or radionuclide method, a quick CSF shunt patency assessment based upon CSF shunt resistance and not upon CSF flow or intracranial pressure (ICP) separately. This provides a more objective measure of shunt obstruction compared to other methods. Furthermore, the apparatus can be used to enhance flow in shunts, identify partial occlusion before symptoms occur, differentiate between patent, partially-occluded and occluded shunts. The apparatus can be used to generate flow in shunts if there is a need to lower ICP or move drugs administered via an injection chamber or a shunt dome.