Method and tools for implanted device

Abstract

A method and toolset capable of remotely moving a rotor of an implanted device in a first arcuate direction and detecting a first limit of travel, moving the rotor in a second, opposite direction and detecting a second limit of travel without altering the current performance setting of the implanted device, comparing the first and second limits of travel with known values for a plurality of selectable performance settings, and indicating the current performance setting of the implanted device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 929,998, filed on Jun. 28, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 705,009, filed on Dec. 4, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 858,193 filed Aug. 17, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,322,365, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to techniques and tools to determine location, orientation and adjustment of implanted medical devices and more particularly to location, orientation and adjustment of adjustable valve mechanisms which resist unintentional performance setting changes.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]There are a number of treatments for medical conditions which require fluid to be removed from an organ or tissue of a patient. One such condition is hydrocephalus, where cerebrospinal flu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and tools to locate, determine orientation, and adjust as desired an implanted valve unit which resists unintentional performance setting changes when the unit is subjected to vibration, jarring or unintended magnetic fields.

[0012]Another object of the present invention is to provide such positioning methods and tools which readily and accurately allow desired non-invasive changes to pressure or flow control settings of the implanted valve unit.

[0013]It is yet another object of this invention to enhance detection of the actual valve opening pressure setting or flow control setting.

[0015]In some embodiments, the implanted device is a valve unit having adjustable performance settings to regulate passage of a bodily fluid. The valve unit includes a casing defining a port, such as an inlet or an outlet for the bodily fluid, and a valve mechanism positioned at the port. The valve mechanism includes a movable valve member. The valve unit further includes a rotor disposed at a first location in the casing and having an axle which turns about an axis of rotation. The rotor defines a plurality of radially flat cam surfaces, each cam surface occupying an arc about the axis of rotation. A spring arm unit, disposed at a second location in the casing, has a cam follower arm in slidable contact with the cam surfaces of the rotor and has a resilient spring element applying a closing effect with the valve member at the port to establish a performance setting for the valve unit. Sufficient rotation of the rotor to change the cam surface in contact with the cam follower alters the closing effect with which the valve member moves relative to the port and thereby alters the performance setting of the valve unit.

Problems solved by technology

The excessive build-up of cerebrospinal fluid compresses brain tissues, which eventually leads to brain damage.

To differing degrees, these valves are not optimal regarding resistance to unintentional setting changes, ease of use in achieving the desired valve setting, and detection of actual valve setting.

As recognized by McCusker et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,390,310, for example, such strong magnetic fields can interfere with implanted devices including shunt valves.

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