Thermal Camera Detection of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Flow

Thermal Camera Detection of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Flow

There have been reports in the past of using thermal cameras to demonstrate flow in the tubing as a surrogate of proper shunt function. This was shown to have almost 90% accuracy at determining proper functioning but required expensive equipment that was not universally available. There is now smart phone based thermal camera technology (Flir One: http://www.flir.com/flirone/) that could make this technique widely available for health care use. The goal of the study is to determine if this device can demonstrate flow in the distal tubing of a VP shunt.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with known VP shunt
• Status of shunt function known.
• Patients with well healed wounds (no immediately post op patients)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients in urgent need of shunt revision
• Age less than 18