Programmable CSF metering shunt

A method for controlling cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in a patient having a CSF metering shunt implanted to drain CSF from the patient's central nervous system (CNS), the method comprising:

• measuring one or more pressure measurements that include one or more of an intracranial pressure, a hydrostatic head pressure, or a valve outflow pressure of the patient with an implanted CSF metering shunt;
• measuring a position of the patient;
• measuring a CSF production rate by;
• monitoring an initial intracranial pressure;
• draining a predetermined volume of CSF with the implanted CSF metering shunt;
• measuring a reduced intracranial pressure;
• recording, as a function of time, an increase in intracranial pressure until it returns to the initial intracranial pressure;
• and
• calculating the CSF production rate by dividing the volume of CSF drained by time to return to the initial intracranial pressure;
• calculating a control parameter with the measured intracranial pressures, the measured position, and the measured CSF production rate;
• and
• using the control parameter to adjust a performance of the implanted CSF metering shunt.

A method for controlling cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in a patient having a CSF metering shunt implanted to drain CSF from the patient's central nervous system (CNS), the method comprising:

• measuring an initial intracranial pressure of the patient with an implanted CSF metering shunt;
• measuring a position of the patient;
• moving a known volume of CSF from an input to an output of the implanted CSF metering shunt in a minimum amount of time, wherein the known volume comprises one or more metering cycles;
• remeasuring the intracranial pressure;
• estimating a CSF production rate by dividing the known volume of CSF by the time it takes for the intracranial pressure to return to the initial intracranial pressure;
• calculating a control parameter with the measured intracranial pressures, the measured position, and the measured CSF production rate;
• and
• using the control parameter to adjust a performance of the implanted CSF metering shunt.