Cerebrospinal fluid shunt capable of minimal invasive revision

Claim 2

A shunting device for cerebrospinal fluid adapted to be implanted in part in the skull of a patient, said device having interior and exterior surfaces and comprising: a ventricle tube adapted t be inserted through the skull and into the ventricle of the patient, said ventricle tube having openings for receiving said fluid into said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location; a drain tube in fluid communication with said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location within the patient, said drain tube having openings too allow said fluid to drain out of said shunting device, said ventricle tube and said drain tube being joined at a junction; a surface formed at said junction and angularly disposed with respect to both said ventricle tube and said drain tube; and an opening formed in said surface to externally receive an endoscopic device for inspecting and cleaning said shunting device, said opening being located on said shunting device such that said endoscopic device can access substantially the entire length of both said ventricle tube and said drain tube; wherein the interior surfaces of said shunting device are coated with a material which is non-light absorptive, whereby laser light will not damage said shunting device.

Claim 3

A shunting device for cerebrospinal fluid adapted to be implanted in a patient, comprising: a ventricle tube inserted into the ventricle of the patient; a drain tube for draining said fluid to another location within the patient, said ventricle tube and said drain tube in fluid communication at a junction and forming an angle with one another at said junction; an access portal formed in said shunting device at said junction; a first opening in said portal and in fluid communication with said shunting device for receiving an endoscopic device into said shunting device for inspection and cleaning; an external conduit formed along at least one portion of said shunting device and extending substantially parallel thereto; and a second opening formed in said portal and in fluid communication with said external conduit for introducing into said external conduit therapeutical medications and the like, said external conduit having openings to allow the escape of said therapeutic medications and the like into the tissues surrounding said shunting device in order to combat infection.

Claim 4

A shunting device for cerebrospinal fluid adapted to be implanted in a patient, comprising: a ventricle tube inserted into the ventricle of the patient; a drain tube for draining said fluid to another location within the patient, said ventricle tube and said drain tube in fluid communication at a junction and forming an angle with one another at said junction; an access portal formed in said shunting device at said junction; a first opening in said portal and in fluid communication with said shunting device for receiving an endoscopic device into said shunting device for inspection and cleaning; an external conduit formed along at least one portion of said shunting device and extending substantially parallel thereto; and a second opening formed in said portal and in fluid communication with said external conduit for introducing into said external conduit therapeutical medications and the like, said external conduit having openings to allow the escape of said therapeutic medications and the like into the tissues surrounding said shunting device in order to combat infection.

Claim 5

The shunting device of claim 2, wherein said first and second openings comprise slit valves which are substantially self-sealable.

Claim 8

The method of claim 4, wherein said insertion step (a) further comprises: (a) inserting a trocar into said shunt; (b) inserting the endoscope through said trocar and into said shunt; and (c) removing said trocar.

Claim 9

The method of claim 4, wherein said insertion step (c) further comprises inserting a laser through said endoscope and into said shunt for destroying occluding material, whereby the shunt may be cleaned.

Claim 10

A shunting device for cerebral spinal fluid adapted to be implanted in part in the skull of a patient, comprising: a ventricle tube adapted to be inserted through the skull and into the ventricle of the patient, said ventricle tube having openings for receiving said fluid into said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location; a drain tube in fluid communication with said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location within the patient, said drain tube having openings to allow said fluid to drain out of said shunting device; and an opening formed in said shunting device and adapted to externally receive an endoscopic device for inspecting and cleaning said shunting device, said opening located on said shunting device such that said endoscopic device can access both said ventricle tube and said drain tube, said shunting device forming an elbow and said opening being located substantially at said elbow, said opening comprising an access valve angularly formed in said elbow so as to provide access for said endoscopic device to both said ventricle tube and said drain tube, said valve comprising a concave structure formed from an elastic material, whereby manipulation of said endoscopic device wherein said shunting device is facilitated.

Claim 11

A shunting device for cerebral spinal fluid adapted to be implanted in part in the skull of a patient, comprising: a ventricle tube adapted to be inserted through the skull and into the ventricle of the patient, said ventricle tube having openings for receiving said fluid into said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location; a drain tube in fluid communication with said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location within the patient, said drain tube having openings to allow said fluid to drain out of said shunting device; and an opening formed in said shunting device and adapted to externally receive an endoscopic device for inspecting and cleaning said shunting device, said opening located on said shunting device such that said endoscopic device can access both said ventricle tube and said drain tube, said shunting device forming an elbow and said opening being located substantially at said elbow, said opening comprising an access valve angularly formed in said elbow so as to provide access for said endoscopic device to both said ventricle tube and said drain tube, said valve comprising a concave structure formed from an elastic material, whereby manipulation of said endoscopic device wherein said shunting device is facilitated.

Claim 12

A shunting device for cerebral spinal fluid adapted to be implanted in part in the skull of a patient, comprising: a ventricle tube adapted to be inserted through the skull and into the ventricle of the patient, said ventricle tube having openings for receiving said fluid into said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location; a drain tube in fluid communication with said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location within the patient, said drain tube having openings to allow said fluid to drain out of said shunting device; and an opening formed in said shunting device and adapted to externally receive an endoscopic device for inspecting and cleaning said shunting device, said opening being located on said shunting device such that said endoscopic device can access both said ventricle tube and said drain tube, the interior surfaces of said shunting device being coated with a material which is non-light absorptive, whereby laser light will not damage said shunting device.

Claim 13

A shunting device for cerebral spinal fluid adapted to be implanted in part in the skull of a patient, comprising: a ventricle tube adapted to be inserted through the skull and into the ventricle of the patient, said ventricle tube having openings for receiving said fluid into said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location; a drain tube in fluid communication with said ventricle tube for draining said fluid to another location within the patient, said drain tube having openings to allow said fluid to drain out of said shunting device; and an opening formed in said shunting device and adapted to externally receive an endoscopic device for inspecting and cleaning said shunting device, said opening being located on said shunting device such that said endoscopic device can access both said ventricle tube and said drain tube, the interior surfaces of said shunting device being coated with a material which is non-light absorptive, whereby laser light will not damage said shunting device.

Claim 16

An elbow connector for a cerebral spinal fluid shunting device having a ventricle tube and a drain tube, the connector comprising: a ventricle tube portion adapted to be connected to the ventricle tube of said shunting device; a drain tube portion adapted to be connected to the drain tube of said shunting device; a connector portion connecting said ventricle tube portion and said drain tube portion, whereby said ventricle tube and said drain tube of said shunting device are in fluid communication with one another, said connector portion forming an obtuse angle with respect to the axes of both said ventricle tube portion and said drain tube portion; and an opening formed in said connector portion for providing external access to both said ventricle tube and said drain tube of said shunting device.

Claim 17

An elbow connector for a cerebral spinal fluid shunting device having a ventricle tube and a drain tube, the connector comprising: a ventricle tube portion adapted to be connected to the ventricle tube of said shunting device; a drain tube portion adapted to be connected to the drain tube of said shunting device; a connector portion connecting said ventricle tube portion and said drain tube portion, whereby said ventricle tube and said drain tube of said shunting device are in fluid communication with one another, said connector portion forming an obtuse angle with respect to the axes of both said ventricle tube portion and said drain tube portion; and an opening formed in said connector portion for providing external access to both said ventricle tube and said drain tube of said shunting device.

Claim 18

The elbow connector of claim 10, wherein said ventricle tube portion comprises a dual conduit, including a first conduit for draining cerebral spinal fluid and a second conduit for receiving and distributing therapeutic substances.

Claim 19

The elbow connector of claim 10, wherein said opening comprises a slit valve.

Claim 20

The elbow connector of claim 10, wherein said opening comprises a concave valve.

Claim 21

The elbow connector of claim 10, wherein said opening is provided with a membrane cover.

Claim 22

The elbow connector of claim 10, wherein said drain tube portion comprises a dual conduit, including a first conduit for draining cerebral spinal fluid and a second conduit for receiving and distributing therapeutic substances.