Flow control device having selectable alternative fluid pathways

A fluid flow control device, comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
• a first fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the first fluid flow pathway having first means for resisting fluid flow therethrough;
• a second fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the second fluid flow pathway having second means for resisting fluid flow therethrough;
• means actable by manual percutaneous pressure applied to the device when subcutaneously implanted, for selectively directing fluids through one of the first or the second fluid flow pathways, including means for occluding the second fluid flow pathway comprising plug means insertable into the second fluid flow pathway by manual percutaneous pressure applied to the housing, which plug means is retained in place to occlude the second fluid flow pathway;
• and
• siphon control device means situated adjacent to the outlet and forming a portion of the fluid flow pathways, for preventing fluid flow through the device in the presence of negative hydrostatic pressure at the outlet.

A flow control device for use in a subsutaneously implanted physiological shunt system, comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
• a fluid flow path through the housing from the inlet to the outlet;
• and
• means for controlling fluid flow through the fluid flow path, the controlling means including means for permitting fluid flow through the fluid flow path when upstream fluid pressure exceeds downstream fluid pressure by a selected pressure differential, means for altering the selected pressure differential by manual percutaneous manipulation of the flow control device when subcutaneously implanted, a first normally closed valve which opens to permit fluid flow through the fluid flow path when upstream fluid pressure exceeds downstream fluid pressure by a first pressure differential, and a second normally closed valve which opens to permit fluid flow through the fluid flow path when upstream fluid pressure exceeds downstream fluid pressure by a second pressure differential, wherein the first pressure differential is greater than the second pressure differential;
• wherein the fluid flow path includes a first fluid conduit for directing fluid through the first normally closed valve, and a second fluid conduit which bypasses the first normally closed valve and directs fluid through the second normally closed valve;
• and
• wherein the means for altering the selected pressure differential includes means for altering the fluid flow path to bypass at least one of the valves, said altering means including a plug integrally formed with the housing and insertable into the second fluid conduit by manual percutaneous pressure applied to the device, which plug is retained in place to occlude the second fluid conduit in the absence of a dislodging percutaneous manipulation of the device.

A subcutaneously implantable shunt system, comprising:

• a shunt inlet;
• a shunt outlet;
• first valve means for controlling fluid flow from the shunt inlet to the shunt outlet;
• second valve means for controlling fluid flow from the shunt inlet to the shunt outlet;
• first fluid conduit means for directing fluid through the first and second valve means as the fluid passes through the shunt system;
• second fluid conduit means for bypassing the first valve means and directing fluid through the second valve means as the fluid passes through the shunt system;
• and
• means for selectively directing fluid through one of the first or second fluid conduit means.

A flow control device having selectable alternative fluid pathways, for use in a subcutaneously implanted physiological shunt system, the flow control device comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
• means for occluding the inlet by application of percutaneous manual pressure to the device;
• a siphon control device adjacent to the outlet, which prevents fluid flow through the flow control device in the absence of positive upstream fluid pressure through the device or in response to negative hydrostatic downstream pressure on the device, the siphon control device providing means for occluding the outlet by application of percutaneous manual pressure to the device;
• a flushing reservoir adjacent to the inlet having overlying resiliently deformable dome forming a portion of the housing, the flushing reservoir providing means for flushing fluid through the flow control device by application of percutaneous manual pressure to the device to depress the dome;
• a first valve situated between the flushing reservoir and the siphon control device, for controlling fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet;
• a second valve situated between the first valve and the siphon control device, for controlling fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet;
• first fluid conduit means for directing fluid through the first and second valves as the fluid passes through the flow control device;
• second fluid conduit means for bypassing the first valve and directing fluid through the second valve as the fluid passes through the flow control device;
• and
• means for selectively directing fluid through one of the first or second fluid conduit means, the means for selectively directing fluid including means for occluding the second fluid conduit means.

A fluid flow control device, comprising:

• an inlet;
• an outlet;
• a fluid flow pathway between the inlet and the outlet;
• a siphon control device situated adjacent to the outlet and forming a portion of the fluid flow pathway;
• at least two valves for restricting the flow of fluid through the device, the valves being situated serially within the fluid flow pathway between the inlet and the siphon control device;
• and
• means for altering the fluid flow pathway to selectively bypass at least one of the valves;
• wherein the fluid flow pathway includes first fluid conduit means for directing fluid through all of the at least two valves, and a second fluid flow conduit means for directing the fluid to bypass at least one of the valves;
• and
• wherein the means for altering the fluid flow pathway includes means for occluding the second fluid flow conduit means, the occluding means comprising plug means insertable into the second fluid flow conduit means by manual percutaneous pressure applied to the device, which plug means is retained in place to occlude the second fluid flow conduit means in the absence of a dislodging percutaneous manipulation of the device.

A fluid flow control device, comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
• a first fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the first fluid flow pathway having a first valve for resisting fluid flow therethrough;
• a second fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the second fluid flow pathway having a second valve for resisting fluid flow therethrough;
• and
• means actuable by manual percutaneous pressure applied to the device when subcutaneously implanted, for selectively directing fluids through one of the first or the second fluid flow pathways, wherein the first fluid flow pathway directs fluid through the first and second valves, and the second fluid flow pathway bypasses the first valve and directs fluid through the second valve.