Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for measuring the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid in a brain ventricle of a patient, comprising: first means implantable beneath the scalp of a patient and extending into a brain ventricle of the patient for receiving therein cerebrospinal fluid under pressure from the brain ventricle, the first means having means defining a reservoir for receiving the cerebrospinal fluid, the reservoir having flexible portion which expands outwardly when the reservoir is filled with the cerebrospinal fluid; and second means for exerting, through the patient's scalp, an inward force on the reservoir flexible portion of a magnitude sufficient to flexibility compress the reservoir flexible portion inwardly a predetermined extent and for measuring the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain ventricle according to the magnitude of the inward force.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for measuring the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid in a brain ventricle of a patient, comprising: first means implantable beneath the scalp of a patient and extending into a brain ventricle of the patient for receiving therein cerebrospinal fluid under pressure from the brain ventricle, the first means having means defining a reservoir for receiving the cerebrospinal fluid, the reservoir having flexible portion which expands outwardly when the reservoir is filled with the cerebrospinal fluid; and second means for exerting, through the patient's scalp, an inward force on the reservoir flexible portion of a magnitude sufficient to flexibility compress the reservoir flexible portion inwardly a predetermined extent and for measuring the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain ventricle according to the magnitude of the inward force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir flexible portion is configured to have an arcuate shape when the reservoir is filled with cerebrospinal fluid; and the second means includes means for exerting an inward force of a magnitude sufficient to indent the arcuately-shaped flexible portion a predetermined extent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system according to claim 2; wherein the means for exerting an inward force includes a displaceable rod engageable with the patient's scalp in the region above the reservoir flexible portion, the rod having a generally flat end face effective to first flatten and then indent the reservoir flexible portion as the rod is displaced and pressed against the patient's scalp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 3; including means including a discharge flow passage in fluid communication with the reservoir for discharging the cerebrospinal fluid from the reservoir to another location in the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 4; including valving means for selectively valving closed the discharge flow passage so that cerebrospinal fluid remains stored in the reservoir to enable measurement of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and valving open the discharge flow passage so that cerebrospinal fluid flows therethrough to enable drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the brain ventricle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 5; wherein the valving means comprises at least one manually actuated ball valve displaceable to open and closed positions for opening and closing the discharge flow passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 5; wherein the valving means includes means for regulating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid at one of a plurality of selectable flow rates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1; including means including a discharge flow passage in fluid communication with the reservoir for discharging the cerebrospinal fluid from the reservoir to another location in the patient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 8; including valving means for selectively valving closed the discharge flow passage so that cerebrospinal fluid remains stored in the reservoir to enable measurement of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and valving open the discharge flow passage so that cerebrospinal fluid flows therethrough to enable drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the brain ventricle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 9; wherein the valving means comprises at least one manually actuated ball valve displaceable to open and closed positions for opening and closing the discharge flow passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 9; wherein the valving means includes means for regulating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid at one of a plurality of selectable flow rates.