Laser-adjustable shunts and associated systems and methods
AssigneeShitamed Holdings, LLC
InventorsRobert Chang, Tessa Bronez, David Batten, Tom Saul, Nicholas Lyford
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunts with actuation assemblies that are configured to be selectively adjusted using laser energy to change a fluid resistance through the shunt. The actuation assemblies include features expected to improve the performance of laser-adjustable shunts, such as by improving the safety profile of laser-adjustable shunts and/or by improving the efficiency of operating laser-adjustable shunts.
Claims55
An actuation assembly activatable using laser energy and for use with an adjustable shunting system configured to be implanted within a patient, the actuation assembly comprising:
- an actuator composed at least partially of a shape memory material, wherein the actuator includes—
- a control element moveable between at least a first position and a second position, and
- an actuation element having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
- wherein, in response to being heated, the actuation element is configured to move the control element from the first position toward the second position;
- and
- a plate positioned proximate the actuator such that the second surface of the actuation element faces the plate and the first surface of the actuation element faces away from the plate, wherein the plate is configured such that, in response to the first surface of the actuation element being heated by laser energy delivered from an energy source external to the patient, the plate at least partially redirects a portion of the laser energy not absorbed by the first surface toward the second surface such that both the first surface and the second surface are heated by the laser energy.
An adjustable shunt for shunting fluid from a first body region to a second body region within a patient, the system comprising:
- a shunting element having a channel extending therethrough, wherein, when the shunt is implanted in the patient, the shunting element is sized and shaped to extend between the first body region and the second body region;
- a laser-activatable actuator for selectively controlling the flow of fluid through the shunting element, the laser-activatable actuator having at least a first surface and a second surface, wherein, in response to being heated, the actuator is transitionable between at least a first position associated with a first fluid resistance through the shunting element and a second position associated with a second fluid resistance through the shunting element;
- and
- a cartridge for housing the actuator, wherein the cartridge includes a plate positioned under the actuator such that the first surface faces away from the plate and the second surface faces the plate, wherein the plate is configured such that, in response to the first surface of the actuation element being heated by laser energy delivered from an energy source external to the patient, the plate at least partially redirects a portion of the laser energy not absorbed by the first surface of the actuator toward the second surface of the actuator such that both the first surface and the second surface are heated by the laser energy.
A method of adjusting a shunt having an actuation assembly comprising a shape memory actuator and a plate, the method comprising:
- directing laser energy toward an actuation element of the shape memory actuator, wherein the laser energy has a laser spot size larger than a width of a first surface of the actuation element such that a first portion of the laser energy is absorbed by the first surface and a second portion of the laser energy extends beyond the first surface,
- wherein the second portion of the laser energy is redirected toward a second surface of the actuation element, opposite the surface, such that the first surface and the second surface are both heated.
An actuation assembly activatable using laser energy and for use with an adjustable shunting system configured to be implanted within a patient, the actuation assembly comprising:
- an actuator composed at least partially of a shape memory material, wherein the actuator includes—
- a control element moveable between at least a first position and a second position, and
- an actuation element having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
- wherein, in response to being heated, the actuation element is configured to move the control element from the first position toward the second position;
- a plate positioned proximate the actuator such that the second surface of the actuation element faces the plate and the first surface of the actuation element faces away from the plate;
- and
- a gap between the plate and the second surface of the actuation element, wherein, when the actuation assembly is implanted within a patient, the gap is sized and shaped to receive a fluid,
- wherein the plate is configured such that, in response to the first surface of the actuation element being heated by laser energy delivered from an energy source external to the patient, the plate at least partially absorbs a portion of the laser energy not absorbed by the first surface and conductively heats the fluid in the gap.
An actuation assembly activatable using laser energy and for use with an adjustable shunting system configured to be implanted within a patient, the actuation assembly comprising:
- an actuator composed at least partially of a shape memory material, wherein the actuator includes—
- a control element moveable between at least a first position and a second position, and
- an actuation element,
- wherein, in response to being heated, the actuation element moves the control element from the first position toward the second position;
- and
- a plate positioned proximate the actuator,
- wherein, in response to absorbing laser energy delivered from a laser energy source external to the patient, the plate is configured to conductively transfer heat to the actuation element.
A method of adjusting a shunt implanted within a patient, the shunt having an actuation assembly comprising a shape memory actuator and a plate, the method comprising:
- directing laser energy from a laser energy source external to the patient toward an actuation target on the plate,
- wherein the plate absorbs at least some of the laser energy as heat and conductively transfers at least some of the heat to the actuation element, and
- wherein the plate is positioned between the laser energy source and the actuation element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.