# US 2007/0179428 A1 · Implantable micro-system for treatment of hydrocephalus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2007/0179428 A1 - Document ID: US20070179428A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/669,665 - Filed: 2007-01-31 - Published: 2007-08-02 - Earliest claimed: 2006-01-31 - Inventors: Francis A. Kralick, D.O.; Hongseok Noh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20070179428A1 ## CPC - F16K 99/0001: {Microvalves (microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006)} - A61M 27/006: {Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves} - A61M 37/0015: {by using microneedles} - F16K 99/0028: {Valves having multiple inlets or outlets} - A61M 2037/003: {having a lumen} - A61M 2037/0046: {Solid microneedles} - F16K 2099/008: {Multi-layer fabrications} - F16K 2099/0088: {Implanted devices} - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said microvalves permit the flow of CSF through the microneedles based on the pressure differential between the subarachnoid space at the proximal end of the needles and the sinus at the distal end of said needles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of microneedles are formed in a fixed array on a first substrate and the microvalves are formed in fixed array on a second substrate, said first and second substrates being contiguous to each other to thereby communicate each microvalve on the second substrate with the proximal end of a corresponding microneedle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein said microvalves each include an upstanding peripheral wall positioned within an opening in the first substrate that communicates with a proximal end of a corresponding microneedle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein an outer surface of the peripheral walls of each microvalve frictionally engage internal surfaces defining the opening in the first substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second substrates are secured together. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein said first and second substrates are secured together by thermal bonding. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said microneedles are made of a polymer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said microneedles are biocompatible the human body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the microneedles are generally cone-shaped and have a recess in an outer surface thereof for receiving dura mater therein to help retain the system in proper position when implanted. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of treating hydrocephalus by implanting the system of claim 1 in the skull of a human with the hollow needles of the system extending through the dura mater of the skull. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, including the step of implanting the system with a portion thereof below the dura mater being disposed solely in the subarachnoid space and with no portion of said system extending into the ventricular system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said system is implanted into a venous sinus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said system is implanted into the superior sagittal sinus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the system is implanted in the anterior one third of the sinus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1, 11) The method of claim 11, wherein a plurality of systems of claim 1 are implanted in the skull of a human with the hollow needles of the systems extending through the dura mater of the sinus.