Neuro endoscope for shunt

摘要

A shunt for relieving hydrocephalus has a closed distal end and an aperture formed in the distal end. A hollow hypotube has a distal end, and the hypotube holds an image fiber which protrudes beyond the distal end of the hypotube. The hypotube is positioned in the shunt with the distal end of the hypotube abutting the distal end of the shunt and the image fiber protruding through the aperture. The hypotube with shunt can then be advanced into the brain of a patient, while the surgeon views the path of advancement on a nearby video monitor which is connected to the image fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the distal end of the image fiber is flush with the distal end of the hypotube. The shunt has a slit formed in its distal end, and the hypotube with image fiber can be selectively advanced through the slit to view the area of the brain beyond the catheter.