Abstract This disclosure relates to a catheter and method for its use to establish a connection between the cerebral ventricles and the proximal segment of a ligated neck vein for treating hydrocephalus. This method for shunting the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the venous circulation prevents blood from coming into contact with the shunt tube and prevents a syphonage force from developing when the patient assumes the upright position. The catheter consists of a tubing of soft tissue-compatible material and is provided with a simple check valve to prevent reflux of blood. It has a side tube and it is also provided with means for: 1) easy insertion into the ventricle; 2) protection of the intake apertures; 3) watertight closure of the dura mater around it; 4) resistance to kinking; 5) provision of an available extra length of 5 cms; and 6) resistance to being pulled out of the neck vein due to movements of the head and neck.
A method of treating hydrocephalus comprising the steps of establishing a connection between the lateral ventricle and a ligated neck vein using a catheter having a ventricular end and a venous end, eliminating the syphonage force which develops with conventional valve systems when the patient assumes the upright position, and preventing contact between the shunting catheter and the circulating blood by inserting the venous end of the catheter into the proximal segment of the ligated neck vein against the direction of blood flow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of treating hydrocephalus comprising the steps of establishing a connection between the lateral ventricle and a ligated neck vein using a catheter having a ventricular end and a venous end, eliminating the syphonage force which develops with conventional valve systems when the patient assumes the upright position, and preventing contact between the shunting catheter and the circulating blood by inserting the venous end of the catheter into the proximal segment of the ligated neck vein against the direction of blood flow.