Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080249395 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CATHETER POSITIONING AND ORIENTATION - A method and apparatus for detecting position and orientation of catheter distal magnetic element end while moving in a patient's heart is described. The apparatus includes magnetic sensors for to detect the magnetic field of a generated by the catheter tip. Each sensor transmits the field magnitude and direction to a detection unit, which filters the signals and removes other field sources, such as generated by CGCI coils and external medical hardware. The method allows the measurements of magnitude corresponding to the catheter tip distance from the sensor and the orientation of the field showing the magnetic tip orientation. Since the tip's magnetic field is not necessarily symmetric, the position and orientation computation technique are not independent of each other. Hence, an iterative calculation is used to converge to a solution. The method of determining tip position is calculated by triangulation from each sensor. In one embodiment, the tip orientation is calculated by an intersecting-planes algorithm. The orientation is used to adjust the distances from each sensor, and the process is repeated until convergence for both position and orientation is achieved. The resultant value provides the actual catheter tip position and orientation (AP). The actual position is further filtered by synchronizing the AP measurements with the QRS signal of the heart, allowing the operator and CGCI controller to view the organ as a static object. | 10-09-2008 |
20080297287 | MAGNETIC LINEAR ACTUATOR FOR DEPLOYABLE CATHETER TOOLS - Using the linear forces that are provided by an electromagnetic solenoid applied near the distal end of a medical catheter, various surgical instruments can be actuated or deployed for use in interventional medicine. The linear actuator uses the principles of magnetic repulsion and attraction as a means for moving a bobbin that can be attached to various types of moving components that translate linear movements into the actuation of a tool that is attached to the linear actuator. Using independent solenoid coils, movement modality is increased from two possible positions to three. | 12-04-2008 |
20090220563 | ARTIFICIAL TOOTH MEDICATING APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING, REGULATING, SENSING, AND RELEASING MEDICAL AGENTS INTO THE BODY - An artificial tooth apparatus for dispensing medicating agents to the body through the patient's jaw bone comprising a mechanical movement and kinetic mainspring winder, a tourbillon mechanism, a electronic regulator, and a pump mechanism arranged and configured to allow any medicating agent to be dispensed from the apparatus in a highly controlled and regulated manner according to input received by the electronic regulator and the patient's specific pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic attributes. Multiple artificial teeth or a comprehensive bridge with several chambers may be used in cases where a polypharmaceutical approach is needed. | 09-03-2009 |
20090248014 | APPARATUS FOR MAGNETICALLY DEPLOYABLE CATHETER WITH MOSFET SENSOR AND METHOD FOR MAPPING AND ABLATION - A mapping and ablation catheter is described. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a MOSFET sensor array that provides better fidelity of the signal measurements as well as data collection and reduces the error generated by spatial distribution of the isotropic and anisotropic wavefronts. In one embodiment, the system maps the change in potential in the vicinity of an activation wavefront. In one embodiment, the mapping system tracks the spread of excitation in the heart, with properties such as propagation velocity changes. In one embodiment, during measurement, the manifold carrying the sensor array expands from a closed position state to a deployable open state. Spatial variation of the electrical potential is captured by the system's ability to occupy the same three-dimensional coordinate set for repeated measurements of the desired site. In one embodiment, an interpolation algorithm tracks the electrogram data points to produce a map relative to the electrocardiogram data. | 10-01-2009 |
20090253985 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LORENTZ-ACTIVE SHEATH DISPLAY AND CONTROL OF SURGICAL TOOLS - The Lorentz-Active Sheath (LAS) serves as a conduit for other medical devices such as catheters, balloons, biopsy needles, etc. The sheath is inserted through a vein or other body orifice and is guided into the area of the patient where the operation is to be performed. The position and orientation of the LAS is tracked via an industry standard position detection system which senses electrical signals that are emitted from several electrodes coupled to the LAS. The signals received from the LAS are used to calculate an accurate and reliable assessment of the actual position of the LAS within the patient. The electrode signals also serve to create a reference frame which is then used to act as a motion compensation filter and fiducial alignment system for the movement of the LAS-hosted medical tool. | 10-08-2009 |
20090275828 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A HIGH RESOLUTION MAP OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE HEART - A system method that tracks one or more points on the surface of a cardiac tissue throughout a cardiac cycle and collect various types of data points which are then subsequently used to generate a corresponding model of the tissue and display the model as a 3D color coded image is described. In one embodiment, the system determines the position and orientation of a distal tip of a catheter, manipulates the catheter tip so as to maintain constant contact between the tip and a region of cardiac tissue using the impedance method, acquires positional and electrical data of the tip-tissue configuration through an entire heartbeat cycle, repeats the measurements as many times as needed in different tissue regions, and forms a 3D color coded map displaying various mechanical and electrical properties of the heart using the acquired data. | 11-05-2009 |
20090318902 | Magnetic Breather Pump and a Method for Treating a Brain Tumor Using the Same - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, a medicating agent is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 12-24-2009 |
20090318903 | Magnetic Breather Pump and a Method for Treating a Brain Tumor Using the Same - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, a medicating agent is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 12-24-2009 |
20100130854 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A CATHETER IMPEDANCE SEEKING DEVICE - A tissue-contact seeking method and apparatus is described that enhances catheter position detection and control systems in making and maintaining continuous tissue contact in a highly dynamic frame, such as under the rigors of cardiac motion. Tissue-seeking logical routines use a tissue contact sensing system to advance a catheter to relatively continuous tissue contact, or detect obstacles, in cooperation with the catheter position detection and control systems. Additional logical routines are capable of optimizing the contact direction of the catheter tip by controlling the rotation angle and chamber position of the introducer. | 05-27-2010 |
20100260679 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND REGULATING VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) BY FORMING A HOMEOSTATIC LOOP EMPLOYING A HALF-ANTIBODY BIOSENSOR - A biosensor for detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) hybridization uses an array of parallel capacitors to detect electrochemical binding of circulating VEGF to immobilized anti-VEGF monoclonal half-antibodies (a-VEGF mhAb). Binding of a-VEGF mhAb modulates the threshold voltage of a circuit, changing the impedance of the circuit. An electrode coated with a p-Si substrate enhances the affinity between the VEGF molecules. A fluid cell delivers VEGF samples onto the active surface of the chip. An array of parallel capacitors arranged in an interdigitated pattern detects the VEGF in the fluid. The detector provides an accurately measured and quantifiable rate of change of the VEGF molecules in vivo, providing real time feedback which is used to measure response of the tumor to delivered chemotherapeutic agents and biological response modifiers (BRMs) for the purpose of determining tumor burden and efficacy of the chemotherapy as part of a homeostatic loop for chemotherapy. | 10-14-2010 |
20100305402 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC WAVEGUIDE FORMING A SHAPED FIELD EMPLOYING A MAGNETIC APERTURE FOR GUIDING AND CONTROLLING A MEDICAL DEVICE - A system that uses a magnetic aperture and electromagnets to configure a magnetic shaped field is described. In one embodiment, the system can be used for guiding a catheter or other devices through a patient's body. In further modification of the system, the waveguide field and field gradient is achieved by the use of varying the electromagnetic wave and its respective flux density axis. In one embodiment, one or more magnetic pole pieces (electromagnet cores) are configured with anisotropic permeability to control the shape of the resulting magnetic field. In one embodiment, the shape and permeability distribution in an electromagnet poleface is configured to produce the desired field distribution. In one embodiment, a number of electromagnets are arranged in a spherical pattern to produce a desired magnetic field in an enclosed spherical region. In one embodiment, a distal end of a catheter is provided with a plurality of magnets having different coercivity to allow improved control of the position and orientation of the distal end | 12-02-2010 |
20100305429 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING TISSUE CONTACT INFORMATION IN AN AUTOMATED MAPPING OF CARDIAC CHAMBERS EMPLOYING MAGNETICLY SHAPED FIELDS - The invention relates to a method for using tissue contact technology to optimize automated cardiac chamber mapping algorithms to both speed up the mapping process and guarantee the definition of the actual chamber limits. The invention further comprises a method for conveying tissue type information to such automatic mapping algorithms so as to allow them to adapt their point collection density within areas of particular interest. The method is enhanced by the use of a magnetic chamber that employs electromagnetic coils configured as a waveguide that radiate magnetic fields by shaping the necessary flux density axis on and around the catheter distal tip so as to push, pull and rotate the tip on demand and as defined by such automatic mapping algorithms. | 12-02-2010 |
20110091853 | METHOD FOR SIMULATING A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR CONTROL, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING APPLICATIONS - A system is disclosed for incorporating a realistic simulated catheter or catheters within a catheter guidance and control system that operate from the same closed-loop position control feedback and geometric mapping data as the real position control system and are able to make contact with real and simulated datasets. These catheters may be operated in a pure simulation mode without interacting with real catheters and position control hardware, or may be used as control cursors to enhance the placement of catheter positioning targets. The catheter tip, which is focus of magnetic control, is realistically guided by the control system parameters, while the remainder of the catheter line is realistically constrained by the mapped chamber geometry and introducer sheath. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092808 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING HIGH DENSITY MAPPING DATA WITH A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM - The invention is a method of rotating a catheter while it is manually guided in order to increase the volume of space it passes through during a geometric mapping procedure as to provide a higher and more uniform location data point cloud density in a volumetric mapping system. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092948 | Remotely Activated Piezoelectric Pump for Delivery of Biological Agents to the Intervertebral Disc and Spine - The present disclosure describes a remotely activated piezoelectric pump for delivery of biological agents to the intervertebral disc and spine in order to achieve spinal fusion. A spinal pump is implanted on the vertebrae of a patient and a spinal cage is inserted in between two adjacent vertebrae after removal of the vertebrae disc. A piezoelectric motor drives the pump and pushes osteogenetic agent through the spinal cage and into a sponge disposed within the cage. The pump is charged by an external removable induction belt worn by the patient. Delivery duration and delivery frequency may be changed before implantation of the spine pump according to the specific needs of the patient. The current device employs a mathematical model that enables the regulation as well as attenuation of the bone fusion process by extending and generalizing the model to enhance and optimize the delivery of osteogenetic agent in a regulated manner. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092950 | Metronomic Convection Enhanced Delivery of Intrathecal Chemotherapy Using an Implanted Magnetic Breather Pump (MBP) for Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled lumen, intratumoral catheter which will be implanted. Spinal fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. Medication is delivered on a continuous metronomic basis into the CSF via an internalized pump. CSF is removed and analyzed for VEGF and other cytokines via spectrophotometer analysis or a lab on a chip. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092960 | ENHANCED METHOD FOR DELIVERING BEVACIZUMAB (AVASTIN) INTO A BRAIN TUMOR USING AN IMPLANTED MAGNETIC BREATHER PUMP - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents mixed with Avastin at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, the medicating agent Avastin is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. In cases where a tumor resection is not performed, an intratumoral catheter will be implanted. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 04-21-2011 |
20110112396 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETING CATHETER ELECTRODES - A system and method is described for a catheter guidance system which allows an operator to use a mapping catheter to specify tissue target locations for the automatic guidance of a second therapeutic catheter. The operator places a mapping catheter at a desired location, and commands the catheter guidance system by either selecting a point on that catheter or one of the catheter electrode electrocardiograms. The operator may target the selected dynamic location, or tissue contact beyond that location on a specific side of the mapping catheter. | 05-12-2011 |
20110162979 | Method and Apparatus for Forming of an Automated Sampling Device for the Detection of Salmonella Enterica Utilizing an Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor - An aptamer-based solid-state electrochemical biosensor for label-free detection of | 07-07-2011 |
20110166033 | Method and Apparatus for Forming of an Automated Sampling Device for the Detection of Salmonella Enterica Utilizing an Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor - An aptamer-based solid-state electrochemical biosensor for label-free detection of | 07-07-2011 |
20110295159 | Method and Apparatus for an Implantable Inertial-Based Sensing System for Real-Time, In Vivo Detection of Spinal Pseudarthrosis and Adjacent Segment Motion - A vertebral processor designed to collect and interpret data from multiple surgically implanted accelerometers. Each accelerometer is surgically implanted into a vertebra of a patient utilizing a bone screw. Additional accelerometers are implanted in adjacent vertebrae. The data from the accelerometers is compared by an algorithm to determine the relative movement of the accelerometers implanted in adjacent vertebrae. Data is generated via the algorithm and compared against the expected behavior of the surgically implanted accelerometers as if they were connected to a rigid body, thus determining the level of success of a spinal fusion procedure for those adjacent segments. The apparatus may be utilized with or without spinal stabilization hardware, and with or without fusion cages or artificial discs. The vertebral processor is supplemented by an external system worn by the patient, which provides for an inductive charging power source and for data transfer. | 12-01-2011 |
20110301497 | DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC MAGNETIC PROPULSION CAPSULE AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME - A guided medical propulsion capsule driven by strong electro-magnetic interaction between an external AC/DC magnetic gradient-lobe generator and a set of uniquely magnetized ferrous-conductive elements contained within the capsule. The capsule is navigated through the lumens and cavities of the human body wirelessly and without any physical contact for medical diagnostic, drug delivery, or other procedures with the magnetically guiding field generator external to the human body. The capsule is equipped with at least two sets of magnetic rings, disks and/or plates each possessing anisotropic magnetic properties. The external magnetic gradient fields provide the gradient forces and rotational torques on the internal conductive and magnetic elements needed to make the capsule move, tilt, and rotate in the body lumens and cavities according to the commands of an operator. | 12-08-2011 |
20120041562 | Remotely Activated Piezoelectric Pump for Delivery of Biological Agents to the Intervertebral Disc and Spine - A remotely activated piezoelectric pump for delivery of biological agents to the intervertebral disc and spine in order to achieve spinal fusion. A spinal pump is implanted on the vertebrae of a patient and a spinal cage is inserted in between two adjacent vertebrae after removal of the vertebrae disc. A piezoelectric motor drives the pump and pushes osteogenetic agent through the spinal cage and into a sponge disposed within the cage. The pump is charged by an external removable induction belt worn by the patient. Delivery duration and delivery frequency may be changed before implantation of the spine pump according to the specific needs of the patient. The current device employs a mathematical model that enables the regulation as well as attenuation of the bone fusion process by extending and generalizing the model to enhance and optimize the delivery of osteogenetic agent in a regulated manner. | 02-16-2012 |
20120143127 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SHAPED MAGNETIC FIELD CONTROL FOR CATHETER, GUIDANCE, CONTROL, AND IMAGING - A variable magnet system for manipulating a magnetic catheter is described. In one embodiment, a cluster of electromagnets is configured to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, one or more poles of the cluster are moveable with respect to other poles in the cluster to allow shaping of the magnetic field. In one embodiment, one or more magnetic poles can be extended or retracted to shape the magnetic field. In one embodiment, the electromagnets can be positioned to generate magnetic fields that exert a desired torque and/or movement force on the catheter. In one embodiment, a magnetic field source is used to create a magnetic field of sufficient strength and orientation to move a magnetically-responsive catheter tip in a desired direction by a desired amount. | 06-07-2012 |
20120245565 | METHOD FOR DELIVERING GENE AND CELL THERAPY TO A TUMOR OR TARGETED SITE USING AN IMPLANTED METRONOMIC BIOFEEDBACK PUMP - A method for utilizing a controlled pump implanted into a patient connected to a multilumen catheter allowing delivery to and sampling from the brain or other organ for treatment of a cancer. The pump delivers a plurality of medicating agents, including viral and non-viral vectors for gene therapy and cell therapy at a controlled rate, corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. A catheter is implanted in or adjacent to the tumoral region. Fluid drawn from the tumor region to the pump via the multilumen catheter is analyzed within the pump by various biofeedback sensors. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. The method allows localized delivery of gene and cell therapy to a solid tumor or tumoral region, or to any other treatment area of interest within the patient. | 09-27-2012 |
20120288838 | METHOD FOR SIMULATING A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR CONTROL, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING APPLICATIONS - A system is disclosed for incorporating a realistic simulated catheter or catheters within a catheter guidance and control system that operate from the same closed-loop position control feedback and geometric mapping data as the real position control system and are able to make contact with real and simulated datasets. These catheters may be operated in a pure simulation mode without interacting with real catheters and position control hardware, or may be used as control cursors to enhance the placement of catheter positioning targets. The catheter tip, which is focus of magnetic control, is realistically guided by the control system parameters, while the remainder of the catheter line is realistically constrained by the mapped chamber geometry and introducer sheath. | 11-15-2012 |
20120289822 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LORENTZ-ACTIVE SHEATH DISPLAY AND CONTROL OF SURGICAL TOOLS - The Lorentz-Active Sheath (LAS) serves as a conduit for other medical devices such as catheters, balloons, biopsy needles, etc. The sheath is inserted through a vein or other body orifice and is guided into the area of the patient where the operation is to be performed. The position and orientation of the LAS is tracked via an industry standard position detection system which senses electrical signals that are emitted from several electrodes coupled to the LAS. The signals received from the LAS are used to calculate an accurate and reliable assessment of the actual position of the LAS within the patient. The electrode signals also serve to create a reference frame which is then used to act as a motion compensation filter and fiducial alignment system for the movement of the LAS-hosted medical tool. | 11-15-2012 |
20120296200 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETING CATHETER ELECTRODES - A system and method is described for a catheter guidance system which allows an operator to use a mapping catheter to specify tissue target locations for the automatic guidance of a second therapeutic catheter. The operator places a mapping catheter at a desired location, and commands the catheter guidance system by either selecting a point on that catheter or one of the catheter electrode electrocardiograms. The operator may target the selected dynamic location, or tissue contact beyond that location on a specific side of the mapping catheter. | 11-22-2012 |
20120310066 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A HIGH RESOLUTION MAP OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE HEART - A system method that tracks one or more points on the surface of a cardiac tissue throughout a cardiac cycle and collect various types of data points which are then subsequently used to generate a corresponding model of the tissue and display the model as a 3D color coded image is described. In one embodiment, the system determines the position and orientation of a distal tip of a catheter, manipulates the catheter tip so as to maintain constant contact between the tip and a region of cardiac tissue using the impedance method, acquires positional and electrical data of the tip-tissue configuration through an entire heartbeat cycle, repeats the measurements as many times as needed in different tissue regions, and forms a 3D color coded map displaying various mechanical and electrical properties of the heart using the acquired data. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310111 | MAGNETIC LINEAR ACTUATOR FOR DEPLOYABLE CATHETER TOOLS - Using the linear forces that are provided by an electromagnetic solenoid applied near the distal end of a medical catheter, various surgical instruments can be actuated or deployed for use in interventional medicine. The linear actuator uses the principles of magnetic repulsion and attraction as a means for moving a bobbin that can be attached to various types of moving components that translate linear movements into the actuation of a tool that is attached to the linear actuator. Using independent solenoid coils, movement modality is increased from two possible positions to three. | 12-06-2012 |
20120316431 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING HIGH DENSITY MAPPING DATA WITH A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM - The invention is a method of rotating a catheter while it is manually guided in order to increase the volume of space it passes through during a geometric mapping procedure as to provide a higher and more uniform location data point cloud density in a volumetric mapping system. | 12-13-2012 |
20130006100 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CATHETER POSITIONING AND ORIENTATION - A method and apparatus for detecting position and orientation of catheter distal magnetic element end while moving in a patient's heart is described. The apparatus comprising of four sensors, detecting the magnetic field of a generated by the catheter tip. Each sensor transmits the field magnitude and direction to a detection unit, which filters the signals and removes other field sources, such, as generated by CGCI coils and external medical hardware. The method allows the measurements of magnitude corresponding to the catheter tip distance from the sensor and the orientation of the field showing the magnetic tip orientation. Since the tip's magnetic field is not symmetric, the position and orientation computation technique are not independent of each other. Hence, an iterative calculation is used to converge to a solution. | 01-03-2013 |
20140081114 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING BIOPOTENTIAL AND MAPPING EPHAPTIC COUPLING EMPLOYING A CATHETER WITH MOSFET SENSOR ARRAY - This invention relates generally to electro-anatomical mapping method and an apparatus using a catheter and more particularly to a mapping catheter having an embedded MOSFET sensor array for detecting local electrophysiological parameters such as biopotential signals within an excitable cellular matrix geometry, for determining physiological as well as electrical characteristics of conduction path and its underlying substrate within the endocardial and epicardial spaces, the arterial structure and in ganglionic plexus. The apparatus with its MOSFET sensor is geometrically configured as a decapolar linear array and optionally with an 8×8 sensor matrix placed on a balloon-like structure. | 03-20-2014 |
20140303455 | MULTIPURPOSE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF THE SAME - A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monitoring device for the detection of obstructions in real time through the collection of pressure data from an on-board pressure sensor. This system is designed to integrate into medical devices equipped with a CSF drainage system, such as implantable shunts. CSF analysis data can be transmitted in real-time wirelessly to a physician or can be stored on-board in a memory card and retrieved wirelessly at a later time. Information from the CSF sensors can be used by physicians to monitor CSF conditions known to cause shunt malfunction/obstruction such as elevated protein concentrations, evidence of an on-going or recent hemorrhage such as presence of heme proteins, and concentrations of administered medications/drugs over time. It can be used to monitor for CSF infections, in which increased pressure, increased temperature, CSF high protein and low glucose, would be suggestive of CSF infections. | 10-09-2014 |