Intracranial Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Regulator

September 17, 2013

2 Min Read
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Intracranial Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Regulator 

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How does the device work?

A micro pump design based Newscale Technologies SQUIGGLE motor, the AMS Piezo Motor Driver, and a fiber optic MEMS intraventricular pressure transducer act in concert to dynamically raise or lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level from an internal or external reservoir of fluid, according to current body position and activity. System may be powered by Qi standard wireless charging standard system. A problem that needs to be solved is protein build up in the CSF fluid that could lead to clogging of the system. A ultrasonic vibrator (which the SQUIGGLE motor already does), and roughened surfaces as used in artificial hearts should be investigated to see if it would break down the proteins to a level that clogging will not occur.

How will it impact healthcare?

On Aug. 7, my wife committed suicide due the excruciating headache caused by Intracranial Hypotension due to a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the spinal canal. 'Blood Patches' are the standard treatment for CSF Leaks, if the leak can be found in imaging studies although my wife's weren't. At that point Full Volume Blood Patches are used to blindly stop the leak(s). This results in rebound high pressure that blows out the fragile Blood Patches causing a vicious cycle. The body does not have an inherent closed loop feedback system to regulate spinal fluid pressure. My proposed design is a piezoelectric micro-fluid-pump and pressure monitoring sensor (mm Hg or cm H2O) to regulate the spinal pressure, with wireless power transfer. No one else must suffer from this dreadful condition when we have the technology today. 

 

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