Ventriculoamniotic shunt for fetal aqueductal stenosis
AssigneeUniversity of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
InventorsYoung Jae Chun, Stephen P. Emery, Stephanie Greene, Joseph Raffael Sukinik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to an in-utero ventriculoamniotic shunting device that includes a composite shunt tube composed of polymer material, e.g., silicone-based material, and metallic wire, having a bend or curve formed in the length of the shunt tube, with one or more anchors composed of super-elastic wire or mesh, e.g., shape memory alloy wire or mesh structures, attached to the shunt tube, and a one-way passive valve composed of a thin polymer membrane. The anchors are effective to prevent migration and dislodgement of the shunting device following its deployment, and the valve is effective to prevent the backflow of amniotic fluid.
Claims18
An in-utero ventriculoamniotic shunting device, comprising:
- a shunt tube, comprising:
- an exterior surface;
- an interior surface;
- a cavity formed by the interior surface;
- a first end configured to be positioned inside a skull of a fetus;
- an opposite second end configured to be positioned outside the skull of a fetus;
- a length extending between the first and second ends;
- at least two self-expanding anchors formed on the exterior surface along the length of the shunt tube, the at least two self-expanding anchors comprising a shape memory alloy wire or mesh structure, positioned in series, comprising:
- a self-expanding first anchor configured to be positioned inside the skull of a fetus;
- and
- a self-expanding second anchor configured to be positioned outside the skull of a fetus;
- a bend in an elbow shape or angle from about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees forming an apex in the length of the shunt tube and the apex of the bend positioned between the first anchor and the second anchor;
- an inner diameter;
- an outer diameter;
- and
- a composite that forms the inner diameter and the outer diameter, the composite comprising:
- metallic wire;
- and
- one or more silicone-based layers applied to the metallic wire;
- and
- a one-way passive valve positioned in the cavity of the shunt tube.
A method of ventriculoamniotic shunting in fetal isolated aqueductal stenosis, comprising:
- prenatally detecting and diagnosing aqueductal stenosis in a fetus;
- forming a shunting device, comprising:
- fabricating a shunt tube, comprising:
- an exterior surface;
- an interior surface;
- a cavity formed by the interior surface;
- a first end configured to be positioned inside a skull of a fetus;
- an opposite second end configured to be positioned outside the skull of a fetus,
- a length extending between the first and second ends;
- at least two self-expanding anchors formed on the exterior surface along the length of the shunt tube, the at least two self-expanding anchors comprising a shape memory alloy wire or mesh structure, positioned in series, comprising:
- a self-expanding first anchor configured to be positioned inside the skull of a fetus;
- and
- a self-expanding second anchor configured to be positioned outside the skull of a fetus;
- a bend in an elbow shape or angle from about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees forming an apex in length of the shunt tube and the apex of the bend positioned between the first anchor and the second anchor;
- an inner diameter;
- an outer diameter;
- and
- a composite that forms the inner diameter and the outer diameter, the composite comprising:
- metallic wire;
- and
- one or more silicone-based layers applied to the metallic wire;
- and
- positioning a one-way passive valve in the cavity of the shunt tube.
A method of preparing a ventriculoamniotic shunting in fetal isolated aqueductal stenosis, comprising:
- pre-forming a metallic wire in a helical shape to form a helical-shaped wire;
- applying one or more silicone-based layers to the helical-shaped wire to form a composite tube, comprising:
- an exterior surface;
- an interior surface;
- a cavity formed by the interior surface;
- a first end configured to be positioned inside a skull of a fetus;
- an opposite second end configured to be positioned outside the skull of a fetus,
- a length extending between the first and second ends;
- at least two self-expanding anchors formed on the exterior surface along the length of the shunt tube, the at least two self-expanding anchors comprising a shape memory alloy wire or mesh structure, positioned in series, comprising:
- a self-expanding first anchor configured to be positioned inside the skull of a fetus;
- and
- a self-expanding second anchor configured to be positioned outside the skull of a fetus;
- a bend in an elbow shape or angle from about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees forming an apex in length of the shunt tube and the apex of the bend positioned between the first anchor and the second anchor;
- an inner diameter;
- and
- an outer diameter;
- and
- positioning a one-way passive valve in the cavity of the shunt tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.