Adjustable Implantable Throttle for Hydrocephalus Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocephalus treatment methods, particularly hydrocephalus valves, face challenges such as clogging issues leading to unnecessary surgeries, and they fail to account for individual patient-specific ventricular system sizes and compliance, resulting in variable pressure responses to cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable implantable throttle with a variable effective channel length and an adjustment disc that can be rotated to change the flow resistance, allowing for patient-specific adjustment and reducing the risk of occlusion, while maintaining constant pressure ratios between the inlet and outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed channel length is used in hydrocephalus valves, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate individual patient-specific ventricular system sizes and compliance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the channel length adjustable rather than fixed. The throttle device includes a movable closure element that can be positioned at different locations along the channel, allowing the effective channel length to be dynamically adjusted to match individual patient requirements. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability to different ventricular system sizes while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that can be configured for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the channel length parameter to be varied. The closure element can be moved to different positions to change the effective length of the channel through which cerebrospinal fluid flows. This enables the device to be adapted to different patient conditions by simply changing the geometric parameter of channel length, rather than requiring completely different device designs.
2Reliability
If a fixed flow resistance is used in hydrocephalus valves, then the device structure is simple, but it leads to clogging issues and variable pressure responses that require unnecessary surgeries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow resistance adjustable through the movable closure element. The closure element can be repositioned to change the channel length and cross-sectional area through which fluid flows, thereby dynamically adjusting the flow resistance. This enables the device to maintain reliable function by adapting to changing patient conditions and preventing clogging, while adding only minimal structural complexity in the form of the adjustable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the flow resistance parameter to be modified. By moving the closure element to different positions, the effective channel dimensions change, which directly alters the flow resistance. This enables optimization of the flow characteristics for each patient, improving reliability by preventing both excessive drainage and clogging, while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the channel length is made adjustable to accommodate patient-specific needs, then individualized treatment is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a movable closure element that can be repositioned to adjust the channel length. This dynamic feature allows the device to be customized for each patient's ventricular system size and compliance characteristics. The adjustment mechanism adds some complexity, but it is a controlled and manageable increase that enables significant improvements in patient-specific adaptability and treatment optimization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the reliability and safety of hydrocephalus valves by allowing precise adjustment to prevent occlusions and accommodate varying ventricular system sizes, reducing the need for surgical interventions and improving patient well-being by minimizing the risk of blockages.
Implementation Method 1
An adjustable implantable throttle with a variable effective channel length and an adjustment disc that can be rotated to change the flow resistance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjustable implantable throttle for controlling a drainage rate in implantable drains for cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Despite the existence of proven valves, the invention has set itself the object of improving valves. It solves this by making at least one effective length of at least one channel adjustable.