Tools And Methods For Programming An Implantable Valve
AssigneeCodman & Shurtleff, Inc.
InventorsBrian M. Soares, LiJuan He, Allison H. Bedwinek, Kyle Jarger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A two-part tool for reading and adjusting an implantable valve, and methods of use. The tool includes a locator-indicator component that, when placed matingly on the patient's skin over the valve, provides magnetic reading of the valve setting. The tool also includes an adjustor component that couples to the locator-indicator component and is rotatable to change a valve setting.
Claims25
A tool for reading and changing a setting of an implantable valve, the valve having an external cross section and an internal magnetic rotor with an associated magnetic field, the tool comprising:
- a locator-indicator having opposed upper and lower surfaces, a shaft extending from the upper surface, the shaft having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the lower surface including a biased recess having an internal cross-section matingly complementary to the external cross section of the valve, the biased recess adapted to be positioned in proximity to the valve in a unique rotational orientation about the axis, the axis extending through the rotor;
- a magnetic indicator rotatably mounted about the axis between the upper and the lower surface, the indicator being adapted to rotate under influence of the magnetic field of the rotor and into orientation thereto;
- and
- a magnetic adjustor slidably mountable along the axis onto the shaft, the adjustor having a magnetic field adapted to rotate the rotor about the axis in response to rotation of the adjustor about the axis, for changing the setting of the valve.
A tool for reading and changing a current setting of a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a patient, the valve having a physical shape and orientation palpatable through the skin of the patient, the tool comprising:
- a) a housing having a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface having a complementary shape to the palpatable shape, for fitting thereupon in a predetermined orientation, a shaft rotatably coupled to the upper surface, the shaft having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the shaft having a length along the axis;
- b) a disk at least partially contained within the housing and rotatably mounted about the axis, the disk being magnetically self-aligning to a rotational orientation of the valve indicative of the current setting, when the lower surface is matingly positioned in proximity to the palpatable shape, the disk bearing at least one visible marking indicating the disk's rotational orientation about the axis;
- and
- c) a magnetic element slidably mountable on the shaft along the axis in a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to the shaft, the magnetic element capable of changing the setting of the valve when mounted on the shaft and rotated about the axis along with the shaft.
A tool for reading and changing a current setting of a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a patient, the valve having a physical shape and orientation palpatable through the skin of the patient, the tool comprising:
- a) a housing having a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface having a complementary shape to the palpatable shape, for fitting thereupon in a predetermined orientation, a shaft extending from the upper surface, the shaft having an axis substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the shaft having a length along the axis;
- b) a disk at least partially contained within the housing, the disk including one or more magnet, the disk being rotationally self-aligning to a rotational orientation of the valve when the lower surface is matingly positioned in proximity to the palpatable shape;
- and
- c) a magnetic element slidably mountable on the shaft along the axis, the magnetic element capable of changing a setting of the valve when mounted on the shaft and rotated about the axis.
A method for reading and changing a current setting of a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a patient, the valve having a physical shape and orientation palpatable through the skin of the patient, the method comprising:
- a) providing a first tool portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted to matingly fit in proximity to the palpatable shape on the patient, the first portion including a magnetic indicator for reading a setting of the valve, a shaft extending from the upper surface, the shaft having an axis;
- b) positioning the first portion matingly in proximity to the palpatable shape on the patient, the shaft extending in a direction substantially away from the patient;
- c) reading the current setting using the magnetic indicator;
- d) providing a second tool portion, the second tool portion adapted to removably slide over the shaft to mate with the first portion, the second portion including a magnet adapted to change the setting of the valve when the second portion is rotated about the axis;
- e) sliding the second portion over the shaft along the axis to mate the second portion with the first portion;
- and
- f) rotating the second portion about the axis to change the setting of the valve.
A tool for reading and changing a current setting of a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a patient, the valve having a physical shape and orientation palpatable through the skin of the patient, the tool comprising:
- a) a first tool portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted to matingly fit on the patient in proximity to the palpatable shape, the first portion including a magnetic indicator for reading the current setting of the valve, a shaft extending from the upper surface, the shaft having an axis;
- b) a second tool portion adapted to removably slide over the shaft to mate with the first portion, the second portion including a magnet adapted to change the setting of the valve when the second portion is rotated about the axis, when the second portion is mounted on the first portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.