Patent US5458606A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5458606A
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Neuro endoscope for shunt
Assignee: BALLARD PURCHASE Corp
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Filing: 1994-09-16
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Granted: 1995-10-17
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Expires: 2014-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A shunt for relieving hydrocephalus has a closed distal end and an aperture formed in the distal end. A hollow hypotube has a distal end, and the hypotube holds an image fiber which protrudes beyond the distal end of the hypotube. The hypotube is positioned in the shunt with the distal end of the hypotube abutting the distal end of the shunt and the image fiber protruding through the aperture. The hypotube with shunt can then be advanced into the brain of a patient, while the surgeon views the path of advancement on a nearby video monitor which is connected to the image fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the distal end of the image fiber is flush with the distal end of the hypotube. The shunt has a slit formed in its distal end, and the hypotube with image fiber can be selectively advanced through the slit to view the area of the brain beyond the catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Cohen
- 👤 Lance Kumm
- 👤 John Aoki
- 👤 Rith N. Kimm
- 👤 Shea Bassett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M27/00; A61M27/002; A61M27/006; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B1/04; A61B1/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for relieving hydrocephalus in the brain of a patient, comprising: a ventricular shunt catheter having a distal end formed with a plurality of drain holes and an aperture; a tubular member positionable within the ventricular shunt catheter, the tubular member having a distal end abutting the distal end of the ventricular shunt catheter; and an image fiber positioned within the tubular member, the image fiber having a distal end protruding beyond the distal end of the tubular member and the aperture of the ventricular shunt catheter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for relieving hydrocephalus in the brain of a patient, comprising: a ventricular shunt catheter having a distal end formed with a plurality of drain holes and an aperture; a tubular member positionable within the ventricular shunt catheter, the tubular member having a distal end abutting the distal end of the ventricular shunt catheter; and an image fiber positioned within the tubular member, the image fiber having a distal end protruding beyond the distal end of the tubular member and the aperture of the ventricular shunt catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the the aperture is a slit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the tubular member is a hypotube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 3, further comprising at least one optical illumination fiber positioned adjacent the image fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 4, further comprising a video monitor operably connected to the image fiber for presenting an image of the brain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 5, wherein an irrigating fluid passageway is established between the hypotube and the image fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 6, wherein a vacuum passageway is established between the hypotube and the image fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 7, further comprising an insert positioned in the aperture of the ventricular shunt catheter, wherein the insert is formed with a slit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
A device, comprising: a ventricular shunt catheter having a closed distal end and an aperture formed therein, the ventricular shunt catheter also having a plurality of drain holes formed therein, the catheter defining an inside diameter; a tube having a distal end and defining an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the ventricular shunt catheter and larger than the aperture; and an image fiber positioned in the tube, the image fiber having a distal end protruding beyond the distal end of the tube, wherein the tube can be positioned in the ventricular shunt catheter such that the distal end of the tube abuts the distal end of the ventricular shunt catheter and the distal end of the image fiber protrudes beyond the aperture of the ventricular shunt catheter.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
130 words
A device, comprising: a ventricular shunt catheter having a closed distal end and an aperture formed therein, the ventricular shunt catheter also having a plurality of drain holes formed therein, the catheter defining an inside diameter; a tube having a distal end and defining an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the ventricular shunt catheter and larger than the aperture; and an image fiber positioned in the tube, the image fiber having a distal end protruding beyond the distal end of the tube, wherein the tube can be positioned in the ventricular shunt catheter such that the distal end of the tube abuts the distal end of the ventricular shunt catheter and the distal end of the image fiber protrudes beyond the aperture of the ventricular shunt catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the aperture is a slit, and the tube is a hypotube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 10, further comprising at least one optical illumination fiber positioned adjacent the image fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 11, further comprising a video monitor operably connected to the image fiber for presenting an image of the brain.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 12, wherein an irrigating fluid passageway is established between the hypotube and the image fiber, and a vacuum passageway is established between the hypotube and the image fiber.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for positioning a ventricular shunt catheter having a plurality of drain holes formed therein in the brain of a patient, wherein the ventricular shunt catheter has a closed distal end formed with an aperture, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hollow tube having a distal end; (b) positioning an image fiber in the tube, the image fiber having a distal end protruding beyond the distal end of the tube; (c) connecting a video monitor to the image fiber for displaying an image of the patient; (d) positioning the tube inside the ventricular shunt catheter with the distal end of the tube abutting the distal end of the ventricular shunt catheter and the distal end of the image fiber protruding beyond the aperture; and (e) advancing the tube with the ventricular shunt catheter into the brain of the patient.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for positioning a ventricular shunt catheter having a plurality of drain holes formed therein in the brain of a patient, wherein the ventricular shunt catheter has a closed distal end formed with an aperture, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hollow tube having a distal end; (b) positioning an image fiber in the tube, the image fiber having a distal end protruding beyond the distal end of the tube; (c) connecting a video monitor to the image fiber for displaying an image of the patient; (d) positioning the tube inside the ventricular shunt catheter with the distal end of the tube abutting the distal end of the ventricular shunt catheter and the distal end of the image fiber protruding beyond the aperture; and (e) advancing the tube with the ventricular shunt catheter into the brain of the patient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of establishing a fluid passageway between the tube and the image fiber, and directing irrigating fluid through the fluid passageway.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of establishing a vacuum passageway between the tube and the image fiber, and establishing a vacuum in the vacuum passageway.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |