초록 ▼

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. Th

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A bioimplantable, pediatric, Hakim-type shunt valve for regulating the flow of fluid from one location within a body of a child to another location within the body, comprising:an elongate housing made of a biologically implantable material and having top and bottom surfac

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A bioimplantable, pediatric, Hakim-type shunt valve for regulating the flow of fluid from one location within a body of a child to another location within the body, comprising:an elongate housing made of a biologically implantable material and having top and bottom surfaces and sidewalls that define a housing width, the top surface being generally hemispherical, and the housing having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture;a valve mechanism for regulating a rate of fluid flow through the shunt valve, the valve mechanism being disposed within the housing, wherein the valve mechanism includes a stepper motor that is actuable by an external programming device aligned with the stepper motor in a predetermined position; anda stabilizing member secured to the housing, the stabilizing member having a first surface adjacent the bottom surface of the housing and a substantially planar bottom surface adapted for placement against a skull of the child, the bottom surface having a width that is greater than the width of the housing such that the stabilizing member is effective to maintain the stabilizing member in contact with the skull and to prevent rotation of the housing about a longitudinal axis thereof,wherein the housing has a length of less than about 0.9 inch and a width that is less than about 0.5 inch, and the stabilizing member has a width that is at least thirty percent larger than a width of the housing.