# US 9,433,764 B2 · Systems and methods for shunting fluid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,764 B2 - Document ID: US9433764B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/740,478 - Filed: 2015-06-16 - Published: 2015-12-24 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-04-18 - Assignees: Alcyone Lifesciences, Inc. - Applicants: Alcyone Lifesciences, Inc. - Inventors: Andrew East; Morgan Brophy; Deep Arjun Singh; PJ Anand; Robert Degon; Timothy Fallon; Allison Waller; Matthew Attar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433764B2 ## CPC - A61M 27/006: {Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves} - A61M 39/225: {Flush valves, i.e. bypass valves for flushing line} - A61M 2027/004: {with at least a part of the circuit outside the body} - A61M 2039/0018: {designed for flushing a line, e.g. by a by-pass} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked. Systems and methods for flushing a shunt system are also disclosed herein, as are various systems and methods for opening auxiliary fluid pathways through a shunt system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flusher comprising: a body that defines a collapsible flush dome; a flow path that extends between an upstream port and a downstream port, at least a portion of the flow path being defined by a pinch tube that extends across an exterior surface of the flush dome; and a valve having a first position in which the flush dome is not in fluid communication with the upstream port or the flow path and a second position in which the flush dome is in fluid communication with the upstream port and the flow path; wherein application of a force to the pinch tube is effective to collapse the pinch tube to block the flow path and to collapse the dome to move the valve to the second position and flush fluid through the upstream port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flusher of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a valve body that is compressed against a valve seat by an adjustment disc such that rotation of the adjustment disc is effective to change a threshold opening pressure of the valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The flusher of claim 2, wherein the adjustment disc is threadably mounted in a valve cartridge in which the valve body is disposed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flusher of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flush dome is defined by a refill plate having a refill valve mounted therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The flusher of claim 4, wherein the refill valve has a first position in which the flow path is not in fluid communication with the flush dome and a second position in which the flow path is in fluid communication with the flush dome. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The flusher of claim 5, wherein collapsing the flush dome is effective to hold the refill valve in the first position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The flusher of claim 4, wherein the refill plate mechanically interlocks with the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The flusher of claim 4, wherein the refill plate defines an outer lip that is received within a recess formed in the body such that the lip is surrounded on at least four sides by the body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flusher of claim 1, wherein a flush channel extending between the flush dome and the valve includes a connection formed by a barbed fitting. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flusher of claim 1, further comprising a ventricle catheter in fluid communication with the upstream port. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The flusher of claim 10, wherein the catheter comprises: a primary fluid inlet port through which fluid external to the catheter can flow into an inner lumen of the catheter; an auxiliary fluid inlet port covered by a membrane such that fluid external to the catheter cannot flow through the auxiliary inlet port; wherein the membrane is configured to rupture when a predetermined threshold force is applied to the membrane by fluid in the inner lumen of the catheter to open the auxiliary fluid inlet port and allow fluid to flow therethrough. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The flusher of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary fluid inlet port comprises a rectangular slot with rounded corners. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The flusher of claim 11, further comprising a stiffening sleeve disposed over the membrane. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The flusher of claim 13, wherein the stiffening sleeve includes a window that is aligned with the auxiliary fluid inlet port of the catheter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The flusher of claim 13, wherein the stiffening sleeve is mounted in a recess formed in the catheter such that the outer surface of the stiffening sleeve sits flush with the outer surface of the catheter. ### Claim 16 A flusher comprising: a body that defines a collapsible flush dome; a flow path that extends between an upstream port and a downstream port; and a valve comprising a valve body compressed against a valve seat by a threaded adjustment disc, the valve having a closed position in which the flush dome is not in fluid communication with the upstream port via the valve and an open position in which the flush dome is in fluid communication with the upstream port via the valve; wherein a threshold pressure required to transition the valve from the closed position to the open position is adjustable by rotating the threaded adjustment disc with respect to the body.