CONTINUOUS REAL-TIME CSF FLOW MONITOR AND METHOD

摘要

An apparatus and method for determining a continuous CSF flow rate in an implanted CSF shunt in real-time. The system/method utilize a Peltier sensor formed on a flexible pad that is placed against the patient's skin. The Peltier sensor includes a Peltier device coupled to a thermal resistor that is contact with the patient's skin over the CSF shunt location. The Peltier device is operated continuously, controlled by the Peltier temperature sensor to a predetermined temperature that is below the patient's core temperature to form a temperature differential that causes any heat generated by the skin/CSF flow to be detected by a skin temperature sensor and the Peltier temperature sensor. Upstream and downstream temperature sensors, as well as control temperature sensors, are utilized to form a zero flow rate baseline that is used to calibrate a Peltier signal that corresponds to a real-time CSF flow rate. A sensor processing device processes all sensor data for generating the zero flow rate baseline and the Peltier signal.

主权项

1. An apparatus for determining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate in an implanted CSF shunt in real-time, said apparatus comprising:
a pad that is placed against the skin of a patient over the location of the CSF shunt, said pad comprising: a Peltier sensor comprising:
a Peltier device that is operated continuously and which is displaced away from a first surface of said pad via a thermal resistor over the location of the shunt; anda first set of temperature sensors associated with said Peltier device for detecting heat generated from the patient's skin and any CSF flow through the shunt; and a sensor processing device that is electrically coupled to said pad for receiving temperature data from said first set of temperature sensors, said temperature data from said first set of temperature sensors being used by said sensor processing device to determine a real-time flow rate of the CSF through the CSF shunt.