Cranial Cover System for Ultrasound-Guided Shunt Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cerebral shunt placement methods face complications such as catheter migration and infection due to large burr holes required for ultrasound guidance, leading to shunt obstruction and pseudomeningocele formation, with no effective cranial covers to cover the burr hole and securely hold the catheter.

Innovation Solution

A cranial cover system comprising a base plate with a guide and support boss that secures to the skull, holding the catheter in place and covering the burr hole to prevent fluid exchange and external object entry, thereby reducing infection rates and catheter migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large diameter burr hole is drilled for ultrasound device placement, then ultrasound visualization accuracy is improved, but the risk of infection and pseudomeningocele formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasound visualization accuracyVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cranial cover is divided into multiple functional components: a base plate for securing to the skull, a guide for catheter positioning, and a holder for securing the catheter. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to resolve the contradiction between large burr hole requirements and infection prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cranial cover acts as an intermediary device between the burr hole and the external environment. It covers the large burr hole required for ultrasound guidance while providing a secure pathway for the catheter, thereby preventing infection and pseudomeningocele formation without compromising ultrasound visualization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large diameter burr hole is drilled for ultrasound device placement, then ultrasound guidance capability is improved, but catheter migration and shunt obstruction increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasound guidance capabilityVSAvoidcatheter position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide and holder are pre-configured on the cranial cover to establish the correct catheter trajectory and secure the catheter in the desired position. This preliminary action ensures proper catheter placement and prevents migration, maintaining reliability while enabling ultrasound guidance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If no cranial cover is used, then device complexity is reduced, but shunt infection rate and postoperative complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecranial cover structureVSAvoidshunt infection rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cranial cover integrates multiple functions into a single device: it covers the burr hole to prevent infection, provides a guide for accurate catheter placement, and includes a holder to secure the catheter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while effectively addressing infection prevention and catheter stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a cranial cover with guide and holder is installed, then catheter migration is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter position stabilityVSAvoidcranial cover components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide and holder are merged into a single integrated cranial cover assembly that is secured to the skull in one procedure. This combining of functions into a single device reduces the number of separate components and procedures needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining catheter position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11338116B2Cranial plate for ultrasound guided cerebral shunt placement

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 CHILDRENS HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENT CINCINNATI

AI summary

A ventricular catheter assembly including a proximal catheter and a cooperating cranial cover. The cranial cover includes a base plate having an opening aligned with a burr hole in the skull of a person. A guide extends upwardly from the base plate and receives the proximal catheter.