Adjustable shunting systems with control elements, and associated systems and methods

An actuation assembly for controlling fluid flow through an adjustable shunt, the actuation assembly comprising:

• a first shape memory actuation element;
• a second shape memory actuation element;
• a control element operably coupled to the first and second shape memory actuation elements;
• and
• a sealing element configured to sealingly engage an aperture of the adjustable shunt,
• wherein (i) the first and second shape memory actuation elements are independently actuatable via heat, (ii) when actuated, the first shape memory actuation element is configured to move the control element toward a first position to be substantially free of interference to fluid flow through the aperture and in which the sealing element is spaced apart from the aperture to at least partially allow fluid flow through the aperture, and (iii) when actuated, the second shape memory actuation element is configured to move the control element toward a second position to cause the sealing element to at least partially prevent fluid flow through the aperture.

An actuation assembly for controlling fluid flow through an adjustable shunt, the actuation assembly comprising:

• a first shape memory actuation element;
• a second shape memory actuation element;
• a body region positioned between and separating the first and second shape memory actuation elements, wherein the body region has a lower thermal conductivity than the first and second shape memory actuation elements;
• and
• a control element operably coupled to the first and second shape memory actuation elements,
• wherein (i) the first and second shape memory actuation elements are independently actuatable via heat, (ii) when actuated, the first shape memory actuation element is configured to move the control element toward a first position to be substantially free of interference to fluid flow through an aperture of the adjustable shunt, and (iii) when actuated, the second shape memory actuation element is configured to move the control element toward a second position to at least partially cover the aperture.

An actuation assembly for use with a shunting system, the actuation assembly comprising:

• a first sheet including one or more first actuation elements;
• a second sheet including one or more second actuation elements;
• a third sheet including one or more actuator bodies, wherein each of the one or more actuator bodies have an end region;
• and
• an actuator mount including one or more ports, wherein the one or more ports correspond to and are configured to receive the end regions of the corresponding one or more actuator bodies;
• wherein each of the first sheet, the second sheet, the third sheet, and the actuator mount are configured to be combined in a predetermined configuration;
• and
• wherein combining the first sheet, the second sheet, the third sheet, and the actuator mount in the predetermined configuration deforms at least one of the one or more first and second actuation elements relative to their manufactured geometries.

An actuation assembly for use with a shunting system, the actuation assembly comprising:

• a fluid inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to an environment external to the shunting system;
• a first actuation element having a first target configured to (i) receive energy from an external energy source, and (ii) disperse the received energy into the first actuation element to drive actuation thereof, wherein the first actuation element is further configured such that, when actuated, the first actuation element moves the first target toward and/or to the fluid inlet to increase a fluid resistance of the fluid inlet;
• and
• a second actuation element, wherein the second actuation element is configured such that, when actuated, the second actuation element moves the first target away from the fluid inlet to decrease the fluid resistance of the fluid inlet.

A method for manufacturing an actuation assembly, the method comprising:

• forming a first sheet from a first material, wherein the first sheet includes a plurality of first actuation elements;
• forming a second sheet from the first material, wherein the second sheet includes a plurality of second actuation elements;
• forming a third sheet from a second material, wherein the third sheet includes a plurality of actuator bodies;
• forming an actuator mount from a third material;
• and
• combining the first sheet, the second sheet, the third sheet, and the actuator mount in a predetermined configuration to form a plurality of actuators,
• wherein combining the first sheet, the second sheet, the third sheet, and the actuator mount in the predetermined configuration deforms the plurality of first and second actuation elements relative to a preferred geometry.

A system for selectively controlling fluid flow in a patient, the system comprising:

• a drainage element having a channel therethrough and a port in fluid communication with the channel;
• and
• an actuation assembly coupled to the drainage element and configured to control the flow of fluid through the port, the actuation assembly comprising—
• a base plate including a fluid inlet,
• an actuator mount coupled to the actuation assembly,
• an actuator body having a first end region coupled to the actuator mount and a second end region opposite the first end region and including a control element, wherein the control element is aligned with the fluid inlet,
• a first actuation element coupled to the control element, wherein the first actuation element is configured such that, when actuated, the first actuation element pivots the actuator body to move the control element in a first direction toward the fluid inlet, and
• a second actuation element coupled to the control element, wherein the second actuation element is configured such that, when actuated, the second actuation element pivots the actuator body to move the control element in a second direction away from the fluid inlet.

A method for manufacturing an actuation assembly, the method comprising:

• forming one or more actuators in a first configuration, wherein in the first configuration—
• each individual actuator of the one or more actuators is positioned in a corresponding well, each corresponding well including a first chamber and a second chamber;
• and
• each individual actuator of the one or more actuators includes a first actuation element, a second actuation element, and an actuator body, the actuator body having a distal end portion residing in the first chamber or the second chamber;
• and
• moving the one or more of the actuators from the first configuration to a second, different configuration in which the distal end portion of the actuator body is residing in the other of the first chamber or the second chamber,
• wherein moving the one or more actuators from the first configuration to the second configuration deforms the first and/or second actuation elements relative to a preferred geometry.

An actuation assembly for use with an adjustable shunting system for selectively controlling fluid flow in a patient, the actuation assembly comprising:

• a first body region;
• a second body region;
• an actuator extending between the first body region and the second body region, wherein the actuator includes a shape memory actuation element having an original geometry;
• and
• a pair of priming arms extending between the first body region and the second body region,
• wherein the first body region, the second body region, and the pair of priming arms define a priming frame configured to deform the shape memory actuation element relative to the original geometry.