摘要 |
An implantable drainage valve for the treatment of hydrocephalus is described. The valve includes a body, a valve seat, a closure member, a spring and at least one spherical weight. The spring is positioned within the cylindrical chamber of the valve body and between the closure member and the spherical weight. The valve is intended to be vertically oriented when the patient is sitting or standing and, when so oriented, the weight will provide additional compressive force against the spring to help maintain the valve in a closed condition. Consequently, hyperdrainage is avoided when the valve experiences normal variations in fluid pressure differentials such as when the patient rises from a lying or recumbent position to a standing position.
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