Treatment systems with adjustable flow shunts and sensors, and associated devices and methods
AssigneeShifamed Holdings, LLC
InventorsRobert Chang, Claudio Argento, Alice Yang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present technology is directed to systems for treating medical conditions, such as glaucoma, and associated devices and methods. For example, in some embodiments the present technology includes an adjustable flow shunt and a sensor. When implanted in a patient, the adjustable flow shunt can be configured to fluidly couple a first body region with a second body region such that it directs the flow of fluid from the first body region to the second body region. When implanted in the patient, the sensor can measure a physiologic parameter, such as intraocular pressure. The adjustable flow shunt can be adjusted based on the measurements taken by the sensor.
Claims21
1-40. (canceled)
An adjustable shunting system for treating a patient, the adjustable shunting system comprising:
- a shunting element having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a lumen extending at least partially between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the shunting element is configured such that, when implanted in a patient, the first end portion resides within a first body region of the patient, the second end portion resides within a second body region of the patient, and the lumen fluidly connects the first body region and the second body region;
- an actuation assembly selectively and repeatably actuatable to adjust a fluid resistance through the shunting element, wherein the actuation assembly includes—
- a control element configured to interface with the lumen,
- a first shape memory actuation element that, when actuated, moves the control element in a first direction to decrease a fluid resistance through the shunting element, and
- a second shape memory actuation element that, when actuated, moves the control element in a second direction to increase the fluid resistance through the shunting element;
- and
- a sensor physically coupled to the shunting element and configured to measure a pressure within at least one of the first body region or the second body region, wherein the sensor is programmed to—
- automatically measure the pressure at predetermined and intermittent time intervals having a frequency between once-per-day and once-per-hour, and
- transmit a value of the measured pressure to an external device.
An adjustable shunting system for treating a patient, the adjustable shunting system comprising:
- a shunting element having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a lumen extending at least partially between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the shunting element is configured such that, when implanted in a patient, the first end portion resides within a first body region of the patient, the second end portion resides within a second body region of the patient, and the lumen fluidly connects the first body region and the second body region;
- an actuation assembly selectively and repeatably actuatable to adjust a fluid resistance through the shunting element, wherein the actuation assembly includes a shape memory actuation element that, when actuated, changes a fluid resistance through the shunting element;
- and
- a sensor physically coupled to the shunting element and configured to measure a pressure within at least one of the first body region or the second body region, wherein the sensor is programmed to—
- automatically measure the pressure at predetermined and intermittent time intervals having a frequency between once-per-day and once-per-hour, and
- transmit a value of the measured pressure to an external device.
A method for adjusting a shunting system implanted within a patient and fluidly coupling a first body region and a second body region of the patient, the method comprising:
- automatically measuring, via a pressure sensor physically coupled to a shunting element of the shunting system, a pressure within the first body region or the second body region at predetermined and intermittent time intervals having a frequency between once-per-day and once-per-hour;
- in response to one of the measured pressure values exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure, actuating an actuation assembly of the shunting system to decrease a fluid resistance through the shunting element;
- and
- in response to one of the measured pressure values being less than a predetermined minimum pressure, actuating the actuation assembly of the shunting system to increase the fluid resistance through the shunting element,
- wherein the actuation assembly includes a shape memory actuation element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.