Implantable micro-system for treatment of hydrocephalus
OwnerFrancis A. Kralick, D.O., Hongseok Nohinventors
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Abstract
An implantable system for the treatment of hydrocephalus includes a plurality of microneedles in a fixed array relative to each other adapted to extend from the subarachnoid space containing CSF surrounding the brain, through dura mater forming the wall of the superior sagital sinus. A microvalve is associated with a proximal end of each of the microneedles and is adapted to permit the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid space through the wall of the superior sagital sinus and deposited in the venous return of the brain. The method of treating hydrocephalus with the system of this invention also constitutes a part of the invention.
Claims16
An implantable system for the treatment of hydrocephalus, said system including:
- (a) a plurality of hollow microneedles in a fixed array relative to each other, said microneedles being adapted to extend through dura mater and having a proximal end adapted to communicate with the interior of the brain on one side of the dura mater and a distal end adapted to communicate with the venous system in an area on a second side of the dura mater opposed to said one side;
- and
- (b) an array of microvalves associated with a proximal end of said microneedles, said microvalves being adapted permit the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the dura mater from the proximal end to the distal end of each microneedle to prevent an excessive pressure build up of CSF within the brain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.