Implantable Pump Artificial CSF Intracranial Pressure Alzheimer's
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma, such as medication and incisional surgery, are inadequate in effectively reducing protein concentrations and intracranial pressure, leading to insufficient therapeutic outcomes and side effects, while existing implantable pumps do not address the need for increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) turnover.
Innovation Solution
A fluid infusion system comprising an implantable pump, reservoir, and catheters that deliver artificial CSF or CSF-like solutions to the subarachnoid region, increasing intracranial pressure and CSF turnover, with a microcontroller regulating the infusion to maintain optimal pressure and volume, and potentially including therapeutic agents to reduce toxic proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current treatments (medication and incisional surgery) are used for Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma, then treatment is provided, but therapeutic outcomes are insufficient and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes harmful proteins (beta-amyloid, tau) from the cerebrospinal fluid through enhanced clearance mechanisms, directly addressing the root cause of Alzheimer's disease symptoms without relying on medications that produce side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (implantable pump system) that delivers therapeutic agents and promotes CSF flow to facilitate protein clearance, serving as a mediator between the treatment goal and the physiological system
2Stress or pressure
If current treatments are used, then treatment is administered, but intracranial pressure is not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable pump system delivers therapeutic agents in periodic cycles and promotes rhythmic CSF flow, creating periodic action that enhances protein clearance efficiency while maintaining controlled intracranial pressure reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow rate and pressure parameters of cerebrospinal fluid through the implantable pump system to optimize both intracranial pressure reduction and protein clearance effectiveness simultaneously
3Productivity
If existing implantable pumps are used, then fluid infusion is provided, but CSF turnover is not increased
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable pump system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fluid delivery mechanism and as a CSF turnover enhancement device, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system is designed to be self-regulating, using pressure sensors and flow sensors to automatically adjust delivery parameters and maintain optimal CSF turnover without requiring complex external control systems
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
Enhances CSF turnover and clearance of undesirable proteins, providing a therapeutic effect for Alzheimer's and glaucoma by increasing intracranial pressure and reducing the trans-lamina cribrosa pressure difference, thereby improving treatment outcomes and minimizing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
an implantable pump to pump the artificial cerebrospinal fluid from the reservoir through the infusion catheter and the inflow catheter to the intrathecal space
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is the use of CSF, more particularly external CSF or CSF-like compositions for the treatment and prevention of different diseases. More particularly, the application provides for the administration of CSF to the intrathecal space or the cerebral ventricles of a patient to increase intracranial pressure and/or CSF flow.