# 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. - **Patent:** US 12734344 - **Original title:** Methods and systems for draining cerebrospinal fluid into the venous system - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, medical_devices, neurosurgery, healthcare ## What it does 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 does NOT 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) 2. Ventriculoatrial shunts (VAS) 3. Lumbar-peritoneal shunts (LPS) 4. Modern neurosurgical shunt systems ## 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Draining Brain Fluid into Neck Veins to Treat Hydrocephalus cover? 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. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? 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. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover shunts that drain cerebrospinal fluid into body cavities other than the venous system, such as the peritoneal cavity. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734344/methods-and-systems-for-draining-cerebrospinal-fluid-into-the-venous-system **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12734344 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Removing Blood Clots from Brain Vessels with a Special Catheter](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734333/rapid-aspiration-thrombectomy-system-and-method) — This patent describes a specialized catheter system designed to quickly remove blood clots from tiny blood vessels in the brain, often used to treat strokes, by using suction. - [Device for Collecting and Separating Bodily Fluids Using Pressure](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733848/fluid-control-devices-and-methods-of-using-the-same-12733848) — This patent describes a device that uses different levels of negative pressure to first isolate a portion of bodily fluid and then collect a separate sample from a fluid source. - [How a Catheter Blood Pump Extends Its Tip for Guidance](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734351/catheter-blood-pump-delivery-guiding-systems-and-methods-of-use) — This patent describes a tiny blood pump on a catheter that can extend a part of its tip forward, guided by a separate internal wire, to help it move safely and precisely inside blood vessels. - [A New Heart Valve That Replaces Old Ones Without Open Surgery](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734030/prosthetic-heart-valve-devices-and-associated-systems-and-methods) — This patent describes a prosthetic heart valve that can be inserted without major surgery, using an expandable support and special arms to hold it in place within the heart. - [How Suction Controls Fluid Collection for Medical Tests](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733849/fluid-control-devices-and-methods-of-using-the-same) — This patent describes a device that uses different levels of suction to precisely control and separate bodily fluids, like blood, for collection and analysis.