System and method for clearing an implanted catheter that is connected to a shunt
AssigneeCodman & Shurtleff, Inc.
InventorsAlan J. Dextradeur, Terri Kelcourse Taylor, Rainuka Gupta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shunt has a housing and a base. The base has a first set of electrodes extending across the base. A catheter is connected to the housing. The catheter has a longitudinal length, a proximal end, and a distal end. The catheter has a second set of electrodes extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter. At least two of the electrodes of said first set are electrically connected to two of the electrodes of the second set. The housing including a self sealing, needle penetrable outer housing wall. The system includes a probe assembly that is selectively penetratable through an outer housing wall.
Claims33
A shunt comprising:
- a housing having a base, said base having a first set of electrodes extending across said base;
- a catheter being connected to said housing, said catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, and a distal end, said catheter having a second set of electrodes extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter, at least two of said electrodes of said first set being electrically connected to two of said electrodes of said second set.
A system for clearing an implanted catheter that is connected to a shunt, said system comprising:
- a housing having a base, said base having a first set of electrodes extending across said base, said housing including a self sealing, needle penetrable outer housing wall;
- a catheter being connected to said housing, said catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, and a distal end, said catheter having a second set of electrodes extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter, at least two of said electrodes of said first set being electrically connected to two of said electrodes of said second set;
- and
- a probe assembly being selectively penetratable through said outer housing wall.
A method of clearing an implanted catheter that is connected to a shunt, wherein said shunt includes a housing having a base, said base having a first set of electrodes extending across said base, said housing including a self sealing, needle penetrable outer housing wall, said housing further includes a socket, and wherein said catheter being connected to said housing, said catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, and a distal end, said catheter having a second set of electrodes extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter, at least two of said electrodes of said first set being electrically connected to two of said electrodes of said second set, said method comprising the steps of:
- puncturing said outer wall;
- inserting a probe having a plurality of contacts at a distal end thereof into said socket such that said plurality of contacts contact said first set of electrodes;
- providing bipolar electrosurgical power to said second set of electrodes via said plurality of contacts and said first set of electrodes;
- and
- clearing a fluid blockage in said catheter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.