US3583387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure absorbing appliance for treating hydrocephalus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-12-20
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1988-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An expansible bellows having a variable internal volume is mounted in a housing adapted for implantation in the skull of a patient suffering from hydrocephalus. A tube extends from the bellows for insertion into a ventricle of the brain. When so installed, the bellows is filled with ventricular fluid at an average or static pressure. Pulsation of choroid-plexus blood vessels in the brain tends to cause a periodic increase in fluid pressure, but bellows expansion in response to increased pressure minimizes the actual increase in fluid pressure. The resulting suppression of pulsatile pressure peaks and dissipation of energy by the bellows appears to be an effective technique for treating hydrocephalus.
Inventors
- 👤 John T Garner
- 👤 Leo A Bullara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0068; A61M25/007; A61M25/01; A61M25/02; A61M27/00; A61M27/002; A61M27/006; A61M2025/0213; A61M2025/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A pressure absorbing appliance for relieving excessive fluid pressure in a human-body cavity, comprising: a housing adapted to be secured in the body; an expansible bellows supported in the housing and having an internal chamber of variable volume, the chamber having an inlet opening; and a tube connected to the bellows in fluid communication with the chamber inlet opening, and extending from the bellows and housing for insertion in the cavity; the bellows being movable within the housing to vary the chamber volume in response to fluid pressure variations, and the chamber being closed other than at the inlet opening so fluid therein is isolated from the housing, the appliance being made of body-compatible materials suitable for implantation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A pressure absorbing appliance for relieving excessive fluid pressure in a human-body cavity, comprising: a housing adapted to be secured in the body; an expansible bellows supported in the housing and having an internal chamber of variable volume, the chamber having an inlet opening; and a tube connected to the bellows in fluid communication with the chamber inlet opening, and extending from the bellows and housing for insertion in the cavity; the bellows being movable within the housing to vary the chamber volume in response to fluid pressure variations, and the chamber being closed other than at the inlet opening so fluid therein is isolated from the housing, the appliance being made of body-compatible materials suitable for implantation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The appliance defined in claim 1 in which a portion of the bellows is formed of a self-sealing member through which a hypodermic needle can be inserted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The appliance defined in claim 2 in which the housing has an outer end defining an opening in alignment with the self-sealing bellows portion, and further comprising a second self-sealing member secured to the outer end of the housing across the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The appliance defined in claim 3 in which the housing is generally cylindrical and in which the outer end of the housing includes an attachment flange extending radially outwardly therefrom, the attachment flange having ligature holes formed therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The appliance defined in claim 4 in which the bellows has an end wall remote from the outer end of the housing, the end wall having a portion whIch tapers to define an inlet adapted for connection to said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The appliance defined in claim 5 in which said end wall inlet portion defines an outwardly extending, annular retaining rib.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The appliance defined in claim 6 in which said tube defines a plurality of inlet openings extending laterally therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
A pressure-absorbing appliance for treatment of hydrocephalus by relieving excessive pulsatile pressure of cerebrospinal fluid in a brain ventricle, comprising: a housing adapted for skull implantation; resilient means supported in the housing and having an internal expansible chamber with a normal volume when filled with cerebrospinal fluid at static pressure, and an expanded volume when the fluid pressure tends to increase due to ventricular pulsation, the chamber having a single inlet opening; and a tube connected to the resilient means in fluid communication with the chamber inlet opening, and extending from the resilient means and housing for insertion in the ventricle; the chamber being closed except for the inlet opening so fluid in the appliance is isolated from the housing, and the housing, resilient means and tube being made of body-compatible materials suitable for implantation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A pressure-absorbing appliance for treatment of hydrocephalus by relieving excessive pulsatile pressure of cerebrospinal fluid in a brain ventricle, comprising: a housing adapted for skull implantation; resilient means supported in the housing and having an internal expansible chamber with a normal volume when filled with cerebrospinal fluid at static pressure, and an expanded volume when the fluid pressure tends to increase due to ventricular pulsation, the chamber having a single inlet opening; and a tube connected to the resilient means in fluid communication with the chamber inlet opening, and extending from the resilient means and housing for insertion in the ventricle; the chamber being closed except for the inlet opening so fluid in the appliance is isolated from the housing, and the housing, resilient means and tube being made of body-compatible materials suitable for implantation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The appliance defined in claim 8 in which the resilient means includes a metal element usable as a portion of a capacitor whereby motion of the resilient means arising from ventricular pulsation can be monitored electrically.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |