Adjustable Height Hydrocephalus Valve Locator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for adjusting and reading implantable cerebrospinal fluid shunt valves face interference issues due to varying scalp thickness and skull sizes, making it difficult to maintain parallel alignment and effective engagement with the valve.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable height locator with a movable foot and displacement element that aligns recesses with the valve cut-out, allowing for adjustable height increments and providing feedback, ensuring consistent readings and adjustments by maintaining alignment and orientation of indicators relative to the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the locator is positioned in closest proximity to the implanted valve, then the alignment and engagement between the locator and valve is optimized, but the valve interferes with the placement and operation of the adjustor and indicator tools when the valve protrudes too far from the skull
Solution Approach 1:
The locator incorporates an adjustable height mechanism that allows the platform to be dynamically repositioned relative to the foot. This enables the locator to adapt its height to accommodate varying scalp thickness and valve protrusion, maintaining optimal alignment precision while preventing interference with adjustment tools during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The height of the locator platform can be changed by adjusting the position of the platform relative to the foot along the adjustment axis. This parameter change allows the locator to compensate for different anatomical variations and valve positions, ensuring both precise alignment and unobstructed tool operation.
2Ease of operation
If the locator is positioned parallel to the implanted valve while in closest proximity, then successful operation of adjustment and indicator tools is enabled, but this requires precise height adjustment to accommodate varying scalp thickness and skull sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The locator employs a dynamic height adjustment mechanism featuring a movable platform that can be repositioned along an adjustment axis. This allows the device to adapt to different anatomical conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not significantly increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locator is divided into distinct functional segments: a foot for contact with the skull, an adjustment mechanism, and a platform for tool engagement. This segmentation allows the height adjustment function to be isolated to a specific component, minimizing the impact on overall device complexity while achieving the desired operational ease.
3Ease of operation
If the valve protrudes too far from the skull due to thick or thin scalp or smaller or larger skull size, then the valve interferes with the placement and operation of adjustor and indicator tools, but increasing the distance between the locator and valve may compromise alignment precision
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable platform height mechanism allows the locator to dynamically compensate for excessive valve protrusion. By moving the platform closer to or farther from the foot along the adjustment axis, the system maintains optimal alignment precision while creating sufficient space for tool operation, regardless of scalp thickness or skull size variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The height adjustment introduces an additional degree of freedom in the vertical dimension. This allows the locator to resolve the spatial conflict between alignment precision (requiring close proximity) and tool operation ease (requiring clearance space) by adjusting the platform's position along the height axis.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~3
AI summary
An adjustable height tool 200 for locating a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a living being. The locator can include a wall having a first perimeter. A platform 210 can be disposed within the first perimeter. A valve cut-out 202 can disposed within the platform and can approximate at least a portion of the shape of the valve. A movable foot 220 can be disposed below the platform by which a displacement element 226 moves the foot at least one of toward or away from the platform. This movement increases or decreases the distance between the platform and the skin/valve. Two or more recesses224 can be disposed in the foot and the recesses can be aligned with the valve cut-out. The displacement element can maintain the alignment of the recesses and the cut-out while moving the foot.