Diagnosing Malfunctioning Hydrocephalic Shunt Valves With a Flow Sensor

A Flow Monitor for Pediatric Hydrocephalic Shunts - Study of Flow Sensor With the Shunt Valve

The study hypothesis is that a transit-time ultrasonic sensor can help doctors diagnose a malfunctioning shunt valve.

The study will simulate an implanted shunt flow monitoring system by placing the flow sensor and a programmable shunt valve into the patient's Extra-Ventricular Drainage line. Flow will be measured as the doctor raises/lowers the drainage bag to simulate the patient sitting up/lying down. The doctor will simulate a malfunctioning shunt by changing the valve's pressure release settings for each cycle of raising/lowering the bag.

By monitoring shunt flow during these changes, the doctors hope to develop new ways to diagnose malfunctioning shunt valves when implanted shunt flow monitors become available.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with Hydrocephalus
• Newborn through age 20
• External Ventriculostomy with an Extra-Ventricular Drainage system installed

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not diagnosed with Hydrocephalus
• Older than age 20
• No External Ventriculostomy with an Extra-Ventricular Drainage system installed