Implantable Valve Rotor Adjustment via Locator and Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing adjustment method for implantable drainage valves, particularly those used in hydrocephalus treatment, is not reliable for consistently unlocking and driving the rotor, making it laborious to modify the opening pressure effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a locator and actuator with specific insertion depths to optimize the magnetic coupling between the rotor's micro-magnets and the actuator's magnet, allowing for reliable unlocking and rotation of the rotor by aligning the actuator's axis with the rotor's axis and using a Halbach configuration of magnets for enhanced magnetic field efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a magnetic key is used to unlock and drive the rotor, then the valve can be adjusted from outside the body, but the unlocking process becomes laborious and the driving of the rotor is not always reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment device is divided into two functional parts: a locator that aligns the rotation axis with the actuator axis, and an actuator that performs the magnetic coupling. This segmentation allows the alignment function and the magnetic driving function to be optimized separately, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locator acts as an intermediary device between the actuator and the implanted valve. It provides a reference frame that ensures proper alignment of the actuator's magnetic field with the rotor's micro-magnets, thereby enabling reliable unlocking and driving without requiring the operator to manually align the components.
2Reliability
If the actuator is inserted deeply to optimize magnetic coupling for unlocking, then unlocking becomes effective, but the ability to rotate the actuator is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static deep insertion position (optimized for unlocking) to a dynamic partial withdrawal position (optimized for rotation). The locator allows the actuator to be positioned at different depths dynamically, enabling the operator to switch between unlocking and adjustment modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locator is used first to establish proper alignment and angular position of the rotor before the actuator is inserted. This preliminary alignment action ensures that when the actuator is inserted deeply for unlocking, the magnetic coupling is already optimized, making the unlocking process more effective while requiring less insertion depth than would otherwise be needed.
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
This approach simplifies the adjustment process by ensuring reliable unlocking and driving of the rotor, improving the reliability and ease of modifying the opening pressure of the valve, thereby enhancing the treatment efficacy for hydrocephalus.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic coupling effect between the micro-magnet of the rotor and the magnet of the actuator is more favorable for unlocking or driving the rotor
Implementation Method 2
using a Halbach configuration of magnets for enhanced magnetic field efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A device and associated method for adjusting the opening pressure of an implantable valve. The valve has a rotor of rotation axis, whose angular position determines the opening pressure. The rotor has a rotor micro-magnet movable between positions of locking and unlocking, in which positions the micro-magnet respectively prohibits and permits the rotation of the rotor. The method includes: arranging a locator to align an axis of a locator receptacle with the rotation axis and to orient the locator in an angular position; determining the angular position of the rotor about its rotation axis with respect to the locator; inserting an actuator into the locator receptacle as far as a first insertion depth; partially withdrawing the actuator from the locator receptacle as far as a second insertion depth less than the first insertion depth; rotating the actuator starting from the second insertion depth; separating the actuator from the valve.