# US 9,872,972 B2 · Methods and devices for locating and adjusting an implantable valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,972 B2 - Document ID: US9872972B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/477,372 - Filed: 2014-09-04 - Published: 2016-03-10 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-04 - Assignees: Integra Lifesciences Switzerland SàRl - Applicants: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC - Inventors: Brian Soares; Alyssa Trigger; Alan Dextradeur - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872972B2 ## CPC - A61M 27/006: {Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves} - A61M 2027/004: {with at least a part of the circuit outside the body} - A61M 2209/01: Remote controllers for specific apparatus - A61M 2209/04: Tools for specific apparatus - 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 Methods and devices are provided that allow a physician to consistently and reliably locate an implantable, magnetically settable valve (valve) and to determine and/or change (adjust) a setting of the valve from a current setting to a target setting without interference from the valve and/or patient's skin. In particular, various locator tools are provided that include a housing having a deck extending thereacross that is formed at least in part of a material which is moveable to accommodate a protrusion of a hydrocephalus valve beneath skin. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A locator tool for locating a valve implanted beneath skin, comprising: an annular base member having a proximal end and a distal end that is configured to be placed on a skin surface above a valve implanted beneath the skin surface; and a deck supported across the base member and having at least a portion formed of a material through which at least one of visual and tactile access is obtainable, the material being movable to accommodate a valve protrusion in a skin surface on which the base member is configured to be placed, wherein the material comprises an elastic material which is movable deforming around a protrusion of skin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the material is transparent to allow a valve to be seen therethrough. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the material includes one or more holes for marking at least one of a location and an orientation of a valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the base member has a central opening extending therethrough and defining a central axis, and wherein the material is held by an annular support member mounted to move relative to the base member along the central axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tool of claim 4, wherein the base member and the annular support member include corresponding slots and protrusions to allow relative movement between the base member and the support member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The tool of claim 4, further comprising a mechanism to selectively fix the support member relative to the base member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The tool of claim 4, further comprising a biasing element for biasing the support member toward a proximal end of the base member. ### Claim 8 A locator tool for locating a valve implanted beneath skin, comprising: an annular base member having a proximal end and a distal end that is configured to be placed on a skin surface above a valve implanted beneath the skin surface; and a deck supported across the base member and having at least a portion formed of a material through which at least one of visual and tactile access is obtainable, the material being movable to accommodate a valve protrusion in a skin surface on which the base member is configured to be placed, wherein the deck includes a rigid portion extending across the base member and having a valve cut-out formed therein, the material extending across the valve cut-out. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tool of claim 8, wherein the material is movable toward and away from the rigid portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The tool of claim 8, wherein the material of the deck comprises a non-elastic material. ### Claim 11 A locator tool for locating a valve implanted beneath skin, comprising: an annular base member having a proximal end and a distal end that is configured to be placed on a skin surface above a valve implanted beneath the skin surface; and a deck supported across the base member and having at least a portion formed of a material through which at least one of visual and tactile access is obtainable the material being movable to accommodate a valve protrusion in a skin surface on which the base member is configured to be placed, wherein the material of the deck comprises a non-elastic material, and wherein the non-elastic material is movable between a taut configuration and an untaut configuration in which the material can move around a protrusion of skin. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The tool of claim 8, wherein the material comprises an elastic material which is movable by deforming around a protrusion of skin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The tool of claim 11, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a tautness of the material. ### Claim 14 A kit for locating and adjusting a valve implanted beneath a skin surface, comprising: a locator tool having an annular base member configured to be placed on a skin surface above a valve implanted beneath the skin surface, and a deck supported across the base member and having at least a portion formed of a material through which at least one of visual and tactile access is obtainable, the material being movable to accommodate a valve protrusion in a skin surface on which the base member is configured to be placed, wherein the deck includes a rigid portion having a valve cut-out formed therein, and wherein the material extends across the valve cut-out; an indicator tool removably disposable within the locator tool and configured to indicate a setting of a valve; and an adjustment tool removably disposable within the locator tool and configured to adjust a setting of a valve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The kit of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the deck of the locator tool forms a platform on which the indicator tool and the adjustment tool seat against when disposed therein. ### Claim 16 A method of locating a valve implanted beneath skin, comprising: positioning a base member of a locator tool on a skin surface above a valve implanted beneath the skin surface, at least a portion of a deck of the locator tool supported across the base member moving relative to the base member to accommodate a protrusion of skin around the valve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the at least a portion of the deck comprises a material that moves relative to the base member to accommodate a protrusion of skin around the valve, and the method further comprises adjusting a height of the material relative to the base member and the skin surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the at least a portion of the deck comprises a material that moves relative to the base member to accommodate a protrusion of skin around the valve, and the method further comprises moving the material from an untaut position to a taught position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising marking skin beneath the deck through holes in the deck to indicate features of a valve. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising selectively placing at least one of an indicator and a valve adjustment tool on the deck.