Single-Burr-Hole CSF Shunt With Dural Sinus Drainage Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for hydrocephalus, such as shunt designs and catheter systems, suffer from high failure rates due to issues like surgical challenges, fluid flow imbalances, blockages, infections, and risks of bleeding and air embolism, and often require penetration into the brain's gray matter.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the dural venous sinus (DVS) through a single cranial hole, using modular devices that allow for less invasive procedures, minimize brain penetration, and include a one-way valve to control fluid flow, with adjustable and customizable components for secure attachment to the skull.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing shunt designs and catheter systems are used to drain CSF, then CSF drainage function is achieved, but high failure rates occur due to blockages, infections, and surgical challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshunt failure rateVSAvoidsurgical implantation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple separable components including a catheter portion, a valve assembly, and a fixation component. This segmentation allows for simplified surgical implantation where each component can be independently positioned and secured, reducing surgical complexity while maintaining reliable CSF drainage function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If catheters are implanted to drain CSF, then fluid drainage is achieved, but periodic blockages and clots occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCSF drainage efficiencyVSAvoidcatheter blockage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a self-regulating valve mechanism that automatically responds to pressure changes within the CSF system. The valve opens and closes based on intrinsic pressure differentials, providing self-service regulation of CSF flow without requiring external control, thereby preventing blockages through automatic pressure equalization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If traditional surgical procedures are used to implant catheters, then CSF drainage is achieved, but significant bleeding risk occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure simplicityVSAvoidbleeding risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device includes pre-configured fixation components and sealing elements that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. These preliminary preparations allow for minimally invasive implantation where the catheter can be securely anchored and sealed without requiring extensive surgical exposure or manipulation of vascular structures, thereby reducing bleeding risk while maintaining procedural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If catheters are placed in CSF containing spaces, then hydrocephalus treatment is achieved, but air embolism risk occurs from DVS penetration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocephalus treatment effectivenessVSAvoidair embolism risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the problematic function of direct DVS penetration from the implantation procedure. Instead of requiring the catheter to penetrate the DVS, the design uses a valve assembly that interfaces with the DVS through a controlled opening, separating the CSF drainage function from direct vascular penetration and thereby eliminating air embolism risk while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Productivity

If fixed catheter systems are used, then CSF drainage is achieved, but drainage rates are impacted by subject position changes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCSF drainage rate consistencyVSAvoidposition independence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly incorporates dynamic elements that automatically adjust to pressure changes caused by subject position variations. The valve mechanism responds to gravitational and pressure forces, maintaining optimal opening angles and flow rates regardless of whether the subject is upright, supine, or in intermediate positions, thereby achieving position-independent drainage consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12508405B2Surgical method, device, system and kit for the treatment of hydrocephalus

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 THE PENN STATE RES FOUND INC

AI summary

Methods, devices, systems, and/or kits that encompass various components for accessing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a CSF containing space of a subject to drain the CSF into a dural venous sinus (DVS) of the subject via a single cranial hole are disclosed herein. The described methods, devices, systems and/or kits drain the CSF into the DVS to treat hydrocephalus in a manner that does not require penetration into the gray matter of the subject's brain.