# US 2022/0032017 A1 · System And Method For Valve Control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0032017 A1 - Document ID: US20220032017A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/944,440 - Filed: 2020-07-31 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-31 - Assignees: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Jemmy SUTANTO; David A. RUBEN; James WASSON; Shilpika CHOWDHURY; Mark E. HENSCHEL - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220032017A1 ## CPC - A61M 27/006: {Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves} - A61M 39/22: Valves or arrangement of valves {(A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405)} - F16K 99/0023: {with ball-shaped valve members} - F16K 99/0042: {Electric operating means therefor} - A61M 2039/226: {Spindles or actuating means} - A61M 2202/0464: Cerebrospinal fluid - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - A61M 2210/0693: Brain, cerebrum - F16K 2099/0088: {Implanted devices} - 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)} - 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)} ## Abstract Disclosed is a system including a flow control assembly. The system may include a flow regulating shunt system, for various purposes. The flow control assembly may be controlled according to selected parameters and methods. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flow and/or pressure regulating assembly for a hydrocephalus shunt system, the regulating assembly comprising: a reservoir having a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet; a controller; a valve seat; a valve member configured to be supported relative to the valve seat to regulate flow into the reservoir through the reservoir inlet; and an actuator in response to an actuator signal from the controller to move between an activate position and an inactivate position; wherein the actuator is selectively positioned in the active position or the inactive position to assist in the valve member regulating the flow into the reservoir. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: an arm support member; wherein the arm support member is configured to bias the valve member in a closed position relative to the valve seat. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, further comprising: a substrate positioned on a side of the arm support member away from the valve member; wherein the actuator is a formed from and on the substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, further comprising: a valve support member configured to hold the valve member; wherein the arm support extends from the valve support member to a connection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure within the reservoir and transmit a pressure signal relating the sensed pressure to the controller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to execute instructions to compare the sensed pressure transmitted via the pressure signal and a predetermined set point pressure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the actuator signal to move the actuator between the activate position and the inactivate position based on the comparison of the sensed pressure and the predetermined set point pressure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises: a first support member; a second support member; and a activating system; wherein the activating system is configured to move the second support member relative to the first support member to raise the first support member or lower the first support member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the actuator is a microelectromechanical system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the first support member is hingedly connected to the second support member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the first support member is hingedly connected at a fixed position and the second support member is hingedly connected to a pushing arm configured to move the second support member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the second support member is guided within a rail assembly to direct a force to the first support member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the actuator in the activate position changes and effective length of the support arm member to increase a biasing force on the valve member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: an inlet catheter having length between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is connected to the reservoir inlet; and an outlet catheter connected to the reservoir outlet. ### Claim 15 A flow and/or pressure regulating assembly for a hydrocephalus shunt system, the regulating assembly comprising: a valve seat; a valve member configured to be supported relative to the valve seat to regulate flow into a reservoir; an arm support member, wherein the arm support member is configured to bias the valve member in a closed position relative to the valve seat; a substrate positioned on a side of the arm support member away from the valve member; and an actuator formed from and on the substrate; wherein an effective support length of the arm support member determines a biasing force on the valve member and the actuator is selectively positioned in an active position or an inactive position to select the effective support length. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the arm support member is operable to have a plurality of effective support lengths. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising: a controller operable to transmit a control signal configured to change the actuator between the active position and the inactive position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the actuator includes a plurality of actuators and the arm support member includes a plurality of arm support members. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising: a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure within a reservoir and transmit a pressure signal relating the sensed pressure to the controller; wherein the control signal is based on the sensed pressure. ### Claim 20 A method of configuring a flow and/or pressure regulating assembly for a hydrocephalus shunt system, the method comprising: positioning a valve member within a reservoir to be biased relative to a valve seat; supporting and biasing the valve member in a closed position relative to the valve seat with an arm support member; providing an actuator formed from and on a substrate near the arm support member; and configuring the actuator to be selectively positioned in an active position or an inactive position relative to the arm support member to assist in achieving a selected biasing force applied to the valve member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising: selecting an effective support length of the arm support member to achieve the selected biasing force on the valve member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising: configuring a controller to compare a sensed pressure within the reservoir to determine positioning the actuator in the active position or the inactive position.