Drainage shunt device for the peritoneal cavity

Abstract

A shunt for draining fluid, comprising a first catheter, an electronic pump fluidly coupled to the first catheter, a manual pump fluidly coupled to the electronic pump, and a second catheter fluidly coupled to the manual pump. During drainage, the shunt is positioned and configured such that fluid is passively pressure-driven through the shunt, the electronic pump being arranged to prevent blockages within the shunt by flowing a bolus of fluid through the shunt. Furthermore, the manual pump is arranged to prevent blockages within the shunt by flowing a bolus of fluid through the shunt when the electronic pump is unable to generate a bolus of fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 014,204, filed Apr. 23, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002]

[0002] This specification relates generally to drainage shunt devices and methods for draining ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity, and more particularly to peritoneal shunt devices for draining non - malignant ascitic fluid and methods for draining non - malignant ascitic fluid.

Background Art

[0003]

[0003] Shunt devices are used to drain fluid from regions within the body. In particular, peritoneal shunt devices are used to drain ascitic fluid from a patient's peritoneal cavity. Ascites is the accumulation of fluid within the abdomen. To drain fluid from the peritoneal cavity, shunt devices may rely on an electronic pump that provides a consistent pressure for pumping fluid from the peritoneal cavity to the central venous system or to the patient's bladder. However, because the pump is constantly operating to drain fluid, the battery life of the pump is reduced and recharging is required. If the pump stops functioning, fluid is not drained from the peritoneal cavity and complications can occur for the patient. Furthermore, when fluid passes through the shunt device, blockages may form within the shunt device. To remove blockages within the shunt, a varying pressure within the shunt must be generated.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004]

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a peritoneal shunt device that drains fluid from the peritoneal cavity and passively removes blockages within the shunt.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005]

[0005] A shunt for draining fluid, according to a first embodiment, comprising a first catheter, an electronic pump fluid-coupled to the first catheter, a manual pump fluid-coupled to the electronic pump, and a second catheter fluid-coupled to the manual pump. During the draining operation, the fluid is passively pressure-driven through the shunt, and the electronic pump is positioned to prevent occlusion in the shunt by flowing a bolus of fluid through the shunt.

[0006]

[0006] The shunt according to the above embodiment, further comprising a control unit for operating an electronic pump in discrete time intervals, according to a second embodiment.

[0007] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the electronic pump drives a fluid bolus as a pressure wave of fluid flowing through the shunt at a pressure higher than that of the fluid being pressure-driven through the shunt.

[0007]

[0008] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, further comprising a one-way valve fluid-coupled to a second catheter, according to a fourth embodiment.

[0009] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein a first catheter, an electronic pump, a manual pump, a second catheter, and a one-way valve are arranged in series to form a shunt.

[0008]

[0010] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the first catheter is configured to be positioned within the peritoneal space to drain fluid from the patient's peritoneal space, according to the sixth embodiment.

[0009]

[0011] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the second catheter is configured to be positioned within the patient's bladder to fluidly connect the patient's peritoneal space with the patient's bladder.

[0010]

[0012] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein a one-way valve prevents fluid from the bladder from flowing through the shunt, according to the eighth embodiment.

[0013] In the ninth aspect, a manual pump is arranged and configured to move a fluid bolus through a shunt based on manual operation.

[0011]

[0014] A shunt for draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity, according to a tenth embodiment, comprising a first catheter, an electronic pump, a manual pump, a second catheter, and a one-way valve. The first catheter is configured to be positioned within the patient's peritoneal cavity. The electronic pump is fluid-coupled to the first catheter. The manual pump is fluid-coupled to the first catheter. The second catheter is configured to be positioned within the patient's bladder and is fluid-coupled to the electronic pump and the manual pump. A one-way valve is fluid-coupled to the second catheter and is configured to prevent backflow of fluid from the bladder through the second catheter. The electronic pump is positioned and configured to move a fluid bolus to prevent occlusion within the shunt. The manual pump is positioned and configured to move a fluid bolus to prevent occlusion within the shunt when the electronic pump is unable to generate a fluid bolus.

[0012]

[0015] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, further comprising a control unit for operating an electronic pump at a predetermined time interval, according to the eleventh embodiment.

[0016] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the electronic pump moves a fluid bolus as a pressure wave of fluid flowing through the shunt at a pressure higher than that of the fluid passively pressure-driven through the shunt.

[0013]

[0017] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the electronic pump and the manual pump are positioned and configured to be outside the peritoneal cavity, according to the 13th embodiment.

[0018] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein a first catheter, an electronic pump, a manual pump, a second catheter, and a one-way valve are arranged in series to form a shunt, according to the 14th embodiment.

[0014]

[0019] A shunt according to any of the above embodiments, wherein an electronic pump and a manual pump are fluidly coupled in parallel, according to the 15th embodiment.

[0020] According to the sixteenth aspect, a method for draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity includes placing a first catheter in the patient's peritoneal cavity and placing a second catheter in the patient's bladder. The first catheter and the second catheter are fluid-coupled. Fluid from the peritoneal cavity is passively moved to the bladder through the first catheter and the second catheter due to the pressure difference between the peritoneal cavity and the bladder. A first bolus of fluid is moved via an electronic pump fluid-coupled to the first catheter and the second catheter. When the electronic pump is unable to generate a first bolus of fluid, a second bolus of fluid is moved via a manual pump fluid-coupled to the first catheter and the second catheter. To reduce obstruction in the second catheter, the first bolus or the second bolus of fluid is flowed through the second catheter.

[0015]

[0021] A method for draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity according to any of the above embodiments, wherein a first bolus of fluid and a second bolus of fluid are moved at a predetermined time interval, according to the 17th embodiment.

[0016]

[0022] A method for draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the first bolus of fluid and the second bolus of fluid are pressure waves of fluid flowing through the second catheter at a pressure higher than the fluid flowing from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder through the second catheter due to the pressure difference between the peritoneal cavity and the bladder.

[0017]

[0023] The method of draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity according to any of the above aspects, wherein a one-way valve is fluidly coupled to a second catheter to prevent backflow of fluid through the second catheter from the bladder.

[0018]

[0024] The method of draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity according to any of the above aspects, wherein an electronic pump and a manual pump are used only to move a first bolus of fluid or a second bolus of fluid.

[0019]

[0025] These features and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

[0026] The embodiments described in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings in which similar structures are indicated using similar reference numerals.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1]

[0027] Schematically shows a drainage shunt device according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein. [Figure 2]

[0028] Schematically shows the drainage shunt device of FIG. 1 disposed within a patient's body according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein. [Figure 3]

[0029] FIG. 3A schematically shows a drainage shunt device according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein.

[0030] FIG. 3B schematically shows a drainage shunt device according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein.

[0031] FIG. 3C schematically shows a drainage shunt device according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein. [Figure 4]

[0032] Disclosed is a method of using the drainage shunt device of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021]

[0033] FIG. 1 generally shows an embodiment of a shunt device for draining non - malignant ascitic fluid. The shunt device generally includes an electronic pump, a manual pump, a one - way valve, a first catheter, and a second catheter. As described in more detail herein, the shunt device can be used to passively drain ascitic fluid from a patient's peritoneal cavity to the patient's bladder in order to remove the ascitic fluid from the patient's body. For example, the first catheter can be placed within the peritoneal cavity and the second catheter can be placed within the bladder, and due to the pressure gradient between the peritoneal cavity and the bladder and the positioning of the shunt device, the peritoneal cavity is fluid - coupled to the bladder such that ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity flows to the bladder. The term "passively" used to describe the flow of fluid through the shunt device is defined as moving fluid through the shunt device without the need for an external pump. The passive pumping action occurs at least in part due to internal forces generated by the patient's body such as respiration, the action of the diaphragm, natural pressure differences between two separate cavities, and / or surface tension within the shunt device. Further, the electronic pump and the manual pump can be arranged to generate fluid boluses at varying time intervals to remove any possible blockages that may form within the shunt device. Various embodiments of the shunt device and method are described in more detail herein.

[0022]

[0034] Referring here to Figure 1, an overall embodiment of the shunt device 100 is shown. As shown, the shunt device 100 may include an electronic pump 102, a manual pump 104, a one-way valve 106, a first catheter 108, and a second catheter 110. As will be described in more detail below in this specification, the device 100 is configured to passively drain ascites fluid from the patient's peritoneal cavity into the patient's bladder in order to remove ascites fluid from the body and prevent the formation of an obstruction within the shunt device 100. Note that this shunt device can be used to drain any type of fluid from and into any type of cavity / region in the patient's body. Note that the shunt device 100 can drain fluid into the bladder. However, it is intended that the shunt device 100 may also be used to drain fluid into other areas of the body, such as the central venous system.

[0023]

[0035] Referring further to Figure 1, the electronic pump 102 may include a housing 112, a motor 114, a control unit 116, and a battery 118. The motor 114 is communicatively coupled to the control unit 116 and the battery 118 via wiring 115A, 115B. The motor 114 is fluid-coupled to the first catheter 108, and when the motor 114 is operated by the control unit 116, it generates a bolus of fluid formed from the fluid in the first catheter 108. The control unit 116 may be a pre-programmed computer designed to operate the motor 114 at specific discrete time intervals. For example, the control unit 116 may be programmed to operate the motor 114 over a duration of 1 minute, with 12 hours as the increment unit. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may be reprogrammed after surgical insertion into the patient's body via a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth if the operating parameters of the electronic pump 102 need to be changed. The battery 118 of the electronic pump 102 is operationally positioned to supply power to both the motor 114 and the control unit 116. The battery 118 can be a lithium-ion battery type that may be wirelessly rechargeable via inductive charging. The motor 114, control unit 116, and battery 118 are housed within a housing 112. The housing 112 can be a rigid or flexible shell that seals the motor 114, control unit 116, and battery 118 from external environments such as the inside of a patient's body. The housing 112 can be made from a non-conductive material that allows wireless communication with the control unit 116 and inductive charging of the battery 118.

[0024]

[0036] The electronic pump 102 is fluid-coupled to the first catheter 108 to draw fluid through the electronic pump 102. The first catheter 108 includes a tip portion 130 positioned to be placed in the patient's peritoneal cavity. In embodiments, the first catheter 108 is long enough to position the tip portion 130 within the patient's peritoneal cavity, while allowing the electronic pump 102 to be positioned outside the peritoneal cavity but inside the patient's body. The first catheter 108 can be any type of flexible tube suitable for insertion into the patient's body. Furthermore, in embodiments, the first catheter 108 can be molded into various shapes to secure the first catheter 108 within the peritoneal cavity. For example, the tip portion 130 can be bent into a curved or spiral shape to secure the tip portion 130 within the peritoneal cavity.

[0025]

[0037] Referring further to Figure 1, the manual pump 104 may include a housing 120, a flexible membrane 122, and a valve 106. The flexible membrane 122 is used to manually pump fluid through the shunt device 100 by pressing down on the flexible membrane 122. By pressing down on the flexible membrane 122, pressure is generated within the housing 120, which causes the fluid contained within the shunt device 100 to flow toward the patient's bladder. The fluid flows from the housing 120 through the valve 106. The valve 106 prevents any fluid passing through the manual pump 104 from flowing backward toward the peritoneal cavity. The valve 106 may be a duckbill valve, or another type of unidirectional valve that allows fluid to flow only in one direction when a pressure difference is generated on opposing sides of the valve 106. In an embodiment, the manual pump 104 may be placed in series with an electronic pump 102, where the fluid from the peritoneal cavity passes through the electronic pump 102 before the same fluid enters the manual pump 104. The manual pump 104 is fluidically coupled to the electronic pump 102 via a tube 132. The tube 132 can be any flexible tube suitable for insertion into the patient's body. In some embodiments, the manual pump 104 can be fluidly coupled directly to the electronic pump 102 without the need for the tube 132.

[0026]

[0038] Referring further to Figure 1, another one-way valve 124 is positioned to fluidize the electronic pump 102 and the first catheter 108. The fluid flows from the housing 112 through the valve 124. The valve 124 prevents any fluid passing through the electronic pump 102 from flowing backward toward the peritoneal cavity. The valve 124 can be a duckbill valve, or another type of one-way valve that allows fluid to flow only in one direction when a pressure difference is generated on the opposing sides of the valve 124.

[0027]

[0039] A second catheter 110 is positioned on the side of the one-way valve 106 opposite the manual pump 104. The second catheter 110 includes a tip portion 136 that is inserted into the patient's bladder. The second catheter 110 can be any type of flexible tube suitable for insertion into the patient's body. Furthermore, in embodiments, the second catheter 110 can be molded in various shapes to secure it within the peritoneal cavity. For example, the tip portion 136 can be bent into a curved or spiral shape to secure the tip portion 136 within the peritoneal cavity.

[0028]

[0040] Referring here to Figure 2, the shunt device 100 can be placed within the body 16 of patient 10 to drain ascites fluid 18 from the peritoneal cavity 12 to the bladder 14. In particular, the first catheter 108 can be placed within the peritoneal cavity 12 of patient 10. The peritoneal cavity 12 is the space between the parietal peritoneum (peritoneum surrounding the abdominal wall) and the visceral peritoneum (peritoneum surrounding the internal organs) within the body 16 of patient 10. However, in embodiments, the first catheter 108 can be placed within any area of ​​the body 16 where it is necessary for fluid to be drained. The first catheter 108 is placed within the peritoneal cavity 12 so that the fluid 18 can enter the first catheter 108. For example, the tip portion 130 of the first catheter 108 can be placed in the lower section of the peritoneal cavity 12 where the fluid 18 collects within the peritoneal cavity 12. The first catheter can also extend through an incision in the wall of the peritoneal cavity 12. The electronic pump 102 may be located outside the peritoneal cavity 12, and more specifically, directly beneath the skin of the body 16 to enable wireless charging or communication with the electronic pump 102. Furthermore, the manual pump 104 may be located directly beneath the skin of the body 16 to allow the patient 10 to push down the flexible membrane 122 of the manual pump 104 to allow a bolus of fluid to flow through the shunt to prevent occlusion.

[0029]

[0041] Referring further to Figure 2, the second catheter 110 can be placed in the patient's bladder 14. As fluid 18 is drained from the peritoneal cavity 12 through the shunt device 100 into the bladder 14, the bladder begins to fill with fluid 18. Once the bladder 14 is filled to its maximum capacity, before the patient 10 emptys the bladder 14, the fluid 18 stored in the bladder 14 may reach the tip portion 136 of the second catheter 110 and attempt to flow backward through the shunt device 100. One-way valves 106 and 124 of each pump 102 and 104 prevent fluid 18 from flowing back from the bladder through the shunt device 100.

[0030]

[0042] The shunt device 100 is positioned within the patient's body 16 with a first catheter 108 positioned in the peritoneal cavity 12 and a second catheter 110 positioned in the bladder 14, thereby creating a passive pressure-driven flow of fluid 18 between the peritoneal cavity 12 and the bladder 14 through the shunt device 100. Because the peritoneal cavity 12 and the bladder 14 are fluid-coupled, any pressure gradient between the peritoneal cavity 12 and the bladder 14 will generate a pressure-driven flow of fluid 18. For example, if the pressure in the peritoneal cavity 12 increases, the fluid 18 stored in the peritoneal cavity 12 will be pushed through the first catheter 108 as the pressure in the peritoneal cavity 12 is released. The pressure in the peritoneal cavity 12 can be increased by the patient acting their diaphragm into the peritoneal cavity or by breathing normally. Since breathing or diaphragmatic activity does not increase the pressure in the bladder 14, a pressure gradient is formed between the peritoneal cavity 12 and the bladder 14, with high pressure in the peritoneal cavity 12 and low pressure in the bladder 14. This pressure difference allows the fluid 18 to flow passively from the peritoneal cavity 12 to the bladder 14 without the need for an additional pumping mechanism. Due to the arrangement of the electronic pump 102 and the manual pump 104 being in fluid communication, a passive pressure-driven flow can still flow through the shunt device 100 even when the pumps are not operating.

[0031]

[0043] As the fluid 18 flows from the peritoneal cavity 12 through the shunt device 100 to the bladder 14, biomaterial may be present in the fluid, and if this biomaterial accumulates on the inner surface of the fluid channels forming the shunt device 100, it may form a potential blockage within the shunt device 100. To prevent or remove the blockage, a fluid bolus can be generated to remove the biomaterial into the bladder 14 and flow through the components of the shunt device 100. A fluid bolus is a pressure wave of fluid 18 flowing through the shunt device 100 at a pressure higher than the fluid 18 passively pressure-driven through the shunt device 100. The fluid bolus can be generated by an electronic pump 102 and / or a manual pump 104. In an embodiment, the electronic pump 102 is programmed to activate and generate fluid boluses at discrete time intervals throughout the day. The purpose of having discrete time intervals to generate the blockage-removing boluses is to prevent the blockage from forming in the first place. Since the electronic pump 102 operates only for short periods and only a few times a day, the battery life of the electronic pump 102 can be extended compared to a shunt device that constantly requires the pump to drain fluid 18 from the peritoneal cavity 12 at a constant rate.

[0032]

[0044] If the electronic pump 102 is unable to generate a fluid bolus to prevent or remove an obstruction in the shunt device 100, a manual pump 104 can be used to generate a fluid bolus. Situations in which the electronic pump 102 may fail include malfunction of electronic or mechanical components, or battery depletion. In these situations, without the presence of the manual pump 104, the patient 10 would need to undergo emergency surgery to replace the electronic pump 102, otherwise, excess fluid 18 could accumulate in the patient's peritoneal cavity 12, potentially causing other related health problems. To prevent or remove an obstruction in the shunt device 100, the manual pump 104 can be used to generate a fluid bolus with a pressure greater than that of the electronic pump 102. If the use of the manual pump 104 is required, the patient 10 must pump the manual pump 104 a set number of times at discrete time intervals throughout the day. For example, the patient must pump the manual pump 104 at least 20 individual pumps every 12 hours. This generates a bolus of fluid 18 sufficient to remove any biological material within the shunt device 100.

[0033]

[0045] Referring here to Figures 3A to 3C, the various components forming the shunt device can be arranged to achieve different results depending on the requested parameters of patient 10. As shown in Figure 3A, the electronic pump 102, the manual pump 104, and the one-way valve 106 are arranged in series, where the fluid 18 from the peritoneal cavity 12 passes through each component of the shunt device 100. The fluid 18 will still pass through the electronic pump 102 and the manual pump 104 even when the pumps are not generating a fluid bolus.

[0034]

[0046] Referring here to Figure 3B, the shunt device 200 may include an electronic pump 202 and a manual pump 204 arranged in parallel with respect to the peritoneal cavity 12. The electronic pump 202 is fluid-coupled to the peritoneal cavity 12 via catheter 230A. The manual pump 204 is fluid-coupled to the peritoneal cavity 12 via catheter 230B. The electronic pump 202 is fluid-coupled to a one-way valve 224 to prevent backflow. The manual pump 204 is fluid-coupled to a one-way valve 206 to prevent backflow.

[0035]

[0047] Referring here to Figure 3C, the shunt device 300 may include an electronic pump 302, which includes a motor 314, a control unit 316, and a battery 318, all of which are coupled to each other in a communicative manner to operate the electronic pump 302. The electronic pump 302 is fluid-coupled to the peritoneal cavity via a catheter 330. A one-way valve 324 is positioned in series with the electronic pump 302 and is fluid-coupled to the electronic pump 302. The one-way valve 324 includes a housing 326 and a valve member 328 to prevent backflow of fluid 18 from the bladder 14 and is fluid-coupled to the bladder 14 via a catheter 336.

[0036]

[0048] Referring here to the flowchart in Figure 4 in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2, an exemplary method 400 for draining ascites fluid from the peritoneal cavity into the patient's bladder is schematically shown. More specifically, the shunt device 100 is operable to passively drain fluid 18 from the peritoneal cavity 12 while also preventing the formation of an obstruction within the shunt device 100. The depictions in Figure 4 and the accompanying descriptions below are not intended to limit the subject matter described herein or to represent a strict description of how the shunt device 100 operates, but are intended to provide a simple schematic overview of the overall passive fluid drainage and obstruction prevention means of the method described herein.

[0037]

[0049] Referring further to Figure 4 in conjunction with the shunt device 100 in Figures 1 and 2, a schematic flowchart of an exemplary method 400 for draining fluid 18 from the peritoneal cavity 12 is shown. First, in step 402, a first catheter is placed in the patient's peritoneal cavity. Referring to Figure 2, the first catheter 108 includes a tip portion 130 that can be placed in the patient's peritoneal cavity 12. The first catheter 108 fluidizes the remaining components of the shunt device 100 into the peritoneal cavity 12.

[0038]

[0050] In step 404, the second catheter is placed in the patient's bladder. Referring to Figure 2, the second catheter 110, including its tip portion 136, is placed in the patient's peritoneal cavity 14. The first catheter 108 and the second catheter 110 are fluidly coupled to each other via components that make up the shunt device 100.

[0039]

[0051] In step 406, fluid is flowed from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder. Referring to Figure 2, the first catheter 108 and the second catheter 110 fluid-couple the peritoneal cavity 12 to the bladder 14. The fluid 18 present in the peritoneal cavity 12 flows through the first catheter 108 and the second catheter 110 due to the pressure difference between the peritoneal cavity 12 and the bladder 14. The pressure difference is generated by the patient 10 increasing the pressure in the peritoneal cavity through breathing or by acting the diaphragm into the peritoneal cavity. The fluid 18 flows continuously through the first catheter 108 and the second catheter 110 to be continuously drained from the peritoneal cavity 12.

[0040]

[0052] Referring further to Figure 4, in step 408, a first bolus of fluid is generated. Referring to the example described in the preceding paragraph, to prevent and remove any biomaterial that accumulates in the shunt device 100, boluses of fluid 18 can be automatically generated by the electronic pump 102 at discrete time intervals. A fluid bolus is a pressure wave of fluid 18 traveling through the second catheter 110 at a higher pressure than the passively discharged fluid 18 flowing through the shunt device 100 due to the pressure difference between the peritoneal cavity 12 and the bladder 14. The greater the pressure of the fluid 18 bolus, the more any biomaterial present in the tubing of the shunt device 100 is removed or eliminated, and the biomaterial is removed into the bladder 14 and excreted from the patient 10.

[0041]

[0053] Referring further to Figure 4, in step 410, a second bolus of fluid is generated. Referring to the example described in the preceding paragraph, the second bolus of fluid 18 can be generated by a manual pump 104. In the embodiment, the manual pump 104 is used only if the electronic pump 102 malfunctions or loses power and is unable to generate a bolus of fluid 18. When generating a bolus of fluid 18 using the manual pump 104, the flexible membrane 122 of the housing 120 is pushed down to create a pressure difference between the fluid 18 in the housing 120 and the fluid in the second catheter 110. Because the pressure is higher in the housing 120, the bolus of fluid 18 is generated in the housing 120 and is biased to travel through the shunt device 100 toward the second catheter 110.

[0042]

[0054] In step 412, the first or second bolus of fluid flows through the second catheter. Referring to the example described in the preceding paragraph, a bolus of fluid 18 is propagated through the tubing of the shunt device 100 to remove any biomaterial that may form an obstruction within the shunt device 100. Depending on the bolus generation state of the electronic pump 102, a manual pump 104 can be used to generate a bolus of fluid 18. If the electronic pump 102 is capable of generating a bolus of fluid 18, the manual pump 104 for generating the bolus of fluid 18 is not required.

[0043]

[0055] It should be understood here that the embodiments described herein relate to shunt devices for draining non-malignant ascites fluid. The shunt device comprises an electronic pump, a manual pump, a one-way valve, a first catheter, and a second catheter. The shunt device can be used to drain ascites fluid from the patient's peritoneal cavity into the patient's bladder in order to remove ascites fluid from the patient's body. For example, the first catheter can be placed in the peritoneal cavity and the second catheter can be placed in the bladder, fluidizing the peritoneal cavity to the bladder. Thus, ascites fluid from the peritoneal cavity will flow into the bladder due to the pressure gradient between the peritoneal cavity and the bladder. Furthermore, the electronic pump and manual pump can be arranged to generate fluid boluses at fluctuating time intervals to clear any blockages that may have formed within the shunt device. The manual pump may only be required to generate fluid boluses when the electronic pump is unable to generate fluid boluses due to malfunction or loss of power. The electronic pump operates automatically based on pre-programmed time intervals, eliminating the need for the patient to manually pump the shunt device to remove any biomaterial from it.

[0044]

[0056] Those skilled in the art will see that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, this specification is intended to encompass such modifications and variations, insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A shunt for discharging fluid, The first catheter and An electronic pump fluid-coupled to the first catheter, configured to draw fluid from the first catheter through the electronic pump, A manual pump fluidly coupled to the aforementioned electronic pump, A second catheter fluidly coupled to the aforementioned manual pump and Equipped with, During the discharge operation, the shunt is positioned and configured so that the fluid is passively pressure-driven through the shunt, and the electronic pump is positioned to move the bolus of the fluid through the shunt. The electronic pump and the manual pump are fluidly coupled in parallel. Shunt.

2. A shunt according to claim 1, A shunt further comprising a control unit for operating the electronic pump at pre-selected time intervals.

3. A shunt according to claim 2, The electronic pump moves the bolus of the fluid as a pressure wave of the fluid flowing through the shunt at a pressure higher than the fluid being pressure-driven through the shunt.

4. A shunt according to claim 3, A shunt further comprising a one-way valve fluidly coupled to the second catheter.

5. A shunt according to claim 4, A shunt, wherein the first catheter, the electronic pump, the manual pump, the second catheter, and the one-way valve are arranged in series to form the shunt.

6. A shunt according to claim 5, The first catheter is a shunt, configured to be positioned within the peritoneal space to drain fluid from the patient's peritoneal space.

7. A shunt according to claim 6, The second catheter is configured to be positioned within the patient's bladder to fluidly connect the patient's peritoneal space to the patient's bladder, forming a shunt.

8. A shunt according to claim 1, A one-way valve is a shunt that prevents fluid from the bladder from flowing through the shunt.

9. A shunt according to claim 1, The manual pump is arranged and configured to move the bolus of the fluid through the shunt based on manual operation.

10. A shunt for draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity, A first catheter configured to be placed within the peritoneal cavity of the patient, An electronic pump fluid-coupled to the first catheter, configured to draw fluid from the first catheter through the electronic pump, A manual pump fluidly coupled to the first catheter, A second catheter configured to be placed inside the patient's bladder, the second catheter being fluidly coupled to the electronic pump and the manual pump, A one-way valve fluid-coupled to the second catheter is used to prevent the backflow of the fluid from the bladder through the second catheter. Equipped with, The electronic pump is arranged to generate a bolus of the fluid to prevent blockage in the shunt, and the manual pump is arranged and configured to move the bolus of the fluid to prevent blockage in the shunt when the electronic pump is unable to generate the bolus of the fluid. The electronic pump and the manual pump are fluidly coupled in parallel. Shunt.

11. A shunt according to claim 10, A shunt further comprising a control unit for operating the electronic pump at predetermined time intervals.

12. A shunt according to claim 11, The electronic pump moves the bolus of the fluid as a pressure wave of the fluid flowing through the shunt at a pressure higher than the fluid which is passively pressure-driven through the shunt.

13. A shunt according to claim 12, The electronic pump and the manual pump are configured to be located outside the peritoneal cavity, forming a shunt.

14. A shunt according to claim 13, A shunt, wherein the first catheter, the electronic pump, the manual pump, the second catheter, and the one-way valve are arranged in series to form the shunt.

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