Low-profile ventriculoamniotic shunt for fetal aqueductal stenosis

A method of ventriculoamniotic shunting for fetal isolated aqueductal stenosis, comprising:

• prenatally detecting and diagnosing aqueductal stenosis in a fetus;
• forming a shunting device, comprising:
• obtaining a shunt tube (26), comprising:
• an exterior surface;
• a first end having an opening;
• an opposite second end having an opening;
• a length;
• an inner diameter;
• an outer diameter;
• a composite that forms the inner diameter and the outer diameter, the composite comprising:
• one or more polymer layers;
• and
• metallic wire embedded in the one or more polymer layers;
• mechanically attaching one or more anchors (28) to the exterior surface of the shunt tube (26), comprising:
• fabricating nitinol wire;
• thermally configuring the nitinol wire in a shape that extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the shunt tube (26) for preventing migration of the shunting device;
• and
• employing a mechanism (30) for connecting the nitinol wire to the exterior surface of the shunt tube (26);
• and
• mechanically attaching a membrane cover (32) to a portion of a perimeter of the opposite second end of the shunt tube (26) in a hinge-like configuration;
• introducing the shunting device in-utero through a skull (22) and into a brain (24) of the fetus, such that the first end of the shunt tube (26) is positioned in the skull (22) and the opposite second end of the shunt tube (26) is positioned in an amniotic sac (23) outside of the skull (22);
• allowing cerebrospinal fluid in the brain (24) to flow into the first end and through the shunt tube (26);
• pushing outward the membrane cover (32) by the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the shunt tube (26);
• and
• discharging the cerebrospinal fluid through the opposite second end of the tube (26) into the amniotic sac (23).