Draining Brain Fluid into Neck Veins to Treat Hydrocephalus

This patent describes a medical device, a shunt, designed to drain excess fluid from the brain into a specific neck vein to treat a condition called hydrocephalus, using a controlled flow rate.

What it covers

This patent describes a method for treating hydrocephalus by implanting a shunt in a patient's body. The shunt has openings at its far end to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a specific area in the brain called the CP angle cistern. A tube, or lumen, carries this fluid to a valve located in the shunt's near end. The shunt is positioned so that its main body runs through the patient's Inferior Petrosal Sinus (IPS), and its near end is placed near the Jugular Vein (JV). After placement, the shunt allows CSF to flow from the brain's cistern into the Jugular Vein at a controlled rate, specifically between 5 ml and 15 ml per hour.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover shunts that drain cerebrospinal fluid into body cavities other than the venous system, such as the peritoneal cavity.
• —Does not cover shunts where the distal portion is placed outside the CP angle cistern or the proximal portion is not near the Jugular Vein.
• —Does not cover shunts that operate at a cerebrospinal fluid flow rate outside the specified range of 5 ml to 15 ml per hour.
• —Does not cover methods for treating conditions other than hydrocephalus using this specific shunt configuration.
• —Does not cover shunts that do not include a valve in their proximal portion for flow regulation.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the precise anatomical routing of the shunt, specifically from the CP angle cistern, through the Inferior Petrosal Sinus, and into or near the Jugular Vein. This specific pathway, combined with the controlled CSF flow rate of 5-15 ml per hour, aims to provide a targeted and regulated drainage solution for hydrocephalus.

Why it matters

Hydrocephalus, a condition where too much fluid builds up in the brain, can cause serious damage if untreated. Shunts are a primary treatment, but their placement and flow control are critical for patient safety and effectiveness. This patent focuses on a specific anatomical route and flow rate, which could offer a more precise or safer way to manage CSF drainage for certain patients, potentially reducing complications associated with other shunt types.

Real-world examples

• 1.Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS)
• 2.Ventriculoatrial shunts (VAS)
• 3.Lumbar-peritoneal shunts (LPS)
• 4.Modern neurosurgical shunt systems