Dynamically controlled cerebrospinal fluid shunt
Apparatus and associated methods relate to smart shunt systems. In an illustrative example, a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt system includes an interface module and conduit(s) configured to provide selective fluid communication between a brain ventricle(s) and at least one reservoir. The interface module may be operably coupled to one or more control module(s). The control module(s) may, for example, be operably coupled to one or more actuator(s) and/or sensor(s) (e.g., in the interface module(s), external to the interface module(s)). The control module(s) may, for example, selectively operate one or more of the actuator(s) as a function of input received from one or more of the sensors based on one or more predetermined control profile(s). Various embodiments may advantageously dynamically (e.g., automatically) control physiological attributes (e.g., CSF attributes).
1 . A cerebrospinal fluid shunt comprising:
a proximal conduit configured to be implanted in fluid communication at a distal end with a brain ventricle of a patient;
a distal conduit configured to be implanted in fluid communication at a distal end with a reservoir;
a dynamically controlled valve module operably coupled to the proximal end of the proximal conduit and the proximal end of the distal conduit, the dynamically controlled valve module selectively operable to permit fluid communication between the distal conduit and the proximal conduit;
a pressure sensor configured to detect a transient pressure in the ventricle;
one or more sensors operatively coupled to the proximal conduit and configured to collect physiological signals from the patient;
one or more actuators operatively coupled to the proximal conduit and configured to perform actions based on control signals; and,
a control module in operable communication with the dynamically controlled valve, the pressure sensor, the one or more sensors, and the one or more actuators, such that, in response to detecting a transient pressure event in the ventricle that meets at least one criterion determined as a function of a predetermined control profile, then the dynamically controlled valve is operated to provide a corresponding predetermined flow profile between the distal conduit and the proximal conduit, wherein the control module:
analyzes a pressure waveform generated by the pressure sensor to detect and characterize transient pressure events;
extracts diagnostic information from the transient pressure events;
adjusts operation of the dynamically controlled valve based on the diagnostic information;
collects multiple physiological signals from the one or more sensors;
operates the one or more actuators based on the physiological signals from the one or more sensors; and,
stores the physiological signals from the one or more sensors.
2 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 1 , wherein:
the transient pressure event comprises a transient pressure maximum generated by bodily motion of the patient,
the at least one criterion comprises a pressure change over time threshold, and
the dynamically controlled valve is operated to at least partially interrupt flow from the ventricle into the reservoir.
3 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 1 , wherein the dynamically controlled valve module comprises a plurality of valves.
4 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises a body cavity.
5 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 1 , further comprising a backflush reservoir, wherein:
the dynamically controlled valve module is further in selective fluid communication with the backflush reservoir; and,
the predetermined flow profile is further configured such that the dynamically controlled valve module is operated to cause fluid from the backflush reservoir to be discharged through at least the proximal end of the proximal conduit in response to the transient pressure event.
6 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a volume monitor.
7 . A cerebrospinal fluid shunt comprising:
a proximal conduit configured to be implanted in fluid communication at a distal end with a brain ventricle of a patient;
a distal conduit configured to be implanted in fluid communication at a distal end with a reservoir;
a dynamically controlled valve module operably coupled to the proximal end of the proximal conduit and the proximal end of the distal conduit, the dynamically controlled valve module selectively operable to permit fluid communication between the distal conduit and the proximal conduit;
a pressure sensor configured to detect a transient pressure in the ventricle;
one or more sensors operatively coupled to the proximal conduit and configured to collect physiological signals from the patient;
one or more actuators operatively coupled to the proximal conduit and configured to perform actions based on control signals; and,
a control module in operable communication with the dynamically controlled valve, the pressure sensor, the one or more sensors, and the one or more actuators, such that, in response to detecting a transient pressure event in the ventricle that meets at least one criterion determined as a function of a predetermined control profile, then the dynamically controlled valve is operated to provide a corresponding predetermined flow profile between the distal conduit and the proximal conduit, wherein the control module:
analyzes a pressure waveform generated by the pressure sensor to detect and characterize transient pressure events;
extracts diagnostic information from the transient pressure events;
adjusts operation of the dynamically controlled valve based on the diagnostic information;
collects multiple physiological signals from the one or more sensors;
operates the one or more actuators based on the physiological signals from the one or more sensors; and,
stores the physiological signals from the one or more sensors; and,
an input/output module in operable communication with the control module, wherein the input/output module is configured to exchange signals with an external interface device.
8 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 7 , wherein the one or more sensors further comprise an acoustic sensor.
9 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 7 , wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a force sensor.
10 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 7 , wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a spatial sensor.
11 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 7 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise a valve actuator.
12 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 7 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise a pump.
13 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 7 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise an optical emitter.
14 . A cerebrospinal fluid shunt comprising:
a proximal conduit configured to be implanted in fluid communication at a distal end with a brain ventricle of a patient;
a distal conduit configured to be implanted in fluid communication at a distal end with a reservoir;
a dynamically controlled valve module operably coupled to the proximal end of the proximal conduit and the proximal end of the distal conduit, the dynamically controlled valve module selectively operable to permit fluid communication between the distal conduit and the proximal conduit;
a pressure sensor configured to detect a transient pressure in the ventricle;
one or more sensors operatively coupled to the proximal conduit and configured to collect physiological signals from the patient;
one or more actuators operatively coupled to the proximal conduit and configured to perform actions based on control signals; and,
a control module in operable communication with the dynamically controlled valve, the pressure sensor, the one or more sensors, and the one or more actuators, such that, in response to detecting a transient pressure event in the ventricle that meets at least one criterion determined as a function of a predetermined control profile, then the dynamically controlled valve is operated to provide a corresponding predetermined flow profile between the distal conduit and the proximal conduit, wherein the control module:
analyzes a pressure waveform generated by the pressure sensor to detect and characterize transient pressure events;
extracts diagnostic information from the transient pressure events;
adjusts operation of the dynamically controlled valve based on the diagnostic information;
collects multiple physiological signals from the one or more sensors;
operates the one or more actuators based on the physiological signals from the one or more sensors; and,
stores the physiological signals from the one or more sensors; and
a filter module disposed in fluid communication with the proximal conduit and the distal conduit, such that the filter module is configured to filter cerebrospinal fluid as the cerebrospinal fluid flows therethrough.
15 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 14 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise an electrical emitter.
16 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 14 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise a pharmaceutical dispenser.
17 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 14 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise a pneumatic actuator.
18 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 14 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise a displacement actuator.
19 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 14 , wherein the one or more actuators further comprise a switch.
20 . The cerebrospinal fluid shunt of claim 14 , wherein the one or more sensors further comprise a lab-on-a-chip sensor.