Abstract: A venous shunt method adapted to shunt cerebral spinal fluid in a patient. A fluid control device having a fluid passage is adapted to be placed allowing cerebral spinal fluid to flow through the fluid passage. A catheter having a lumen, the catheter being in fluid communication with the fluid control device. At least a portion of at least one of the catheter and the fluid control device being subjected to an anti-thrombogenic treatment.

Abstract: A venous shunt method adapted to shunt cerebral spinal fluid in a patient. A fluid control device having a fluid passage is adapted to be placed allowing cerebral spinal fluid to flow through the fluid passage. A catheter having a lumen, the catheter being in fluid communication with the fluid control device. At least a portion of at least one of the catheter and the fluid control device being subjected to an anti-thrombogenic treatment.

Abstract: A venous shunt system and method adapted to shunt cerebral spinal fluid in a patient. A fluid control device having a fluid passage is adapted to be placed allowing cerebral spinal fluid to flow through the fluid passage. A catheter having a lumen, the catheter being in fluid communication with the fluid control device. At least a portion of at least one of the catheter and the fluid control device being subjected to an anti-thrombogenic treatment.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen. The stiffness of the stiff, flexible, and transition regions may be controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of the stent components and/or by varying the stent architecture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a hole of a first predetermined diameter in a dura of a patient for the insertion of a catheter having a second predetermined diameter. A burr hole is created in the cranium of the patient, if necessary. A stylet is inserted into the lumen of a catheter with an end of the stylet formed with a tip having a diameter having a predetermined relationship with the first predetermined diameter such that the distal end of the stylet is proximate to a distal end of the catheter. The end of the catheter is inserted into the burr hole of the cranium. An electrical current is applied to the stylet in order to cauterize the dura creating a hole in the dura approximately equal to the diameter of the tip.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen. The stiffness of the stiff, flexible, and transition regions may be controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of the stent components and/or by varying the stent architecture.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, such as a bridging material attached to the stent, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen.

Abstract: A method of inserting a drainage catheter into a sagittal sinus having blood flow from an upstream to a downstream direction. A burr hole is created, if necessary, in the cranium of the patient proximate the sagittal sinus. A distal end of a catheter is inserted through the burr hole and the dura into the sagittal sinus. The distal end of the catheter is positioned so that the distal end points generally in the upstream direction with respect to the blood flow. A sagittal sinus catheter is adapted for placement through the dura of a patient proximate a superior sagittal sinus. The catheter is formed of semi-rigid material and has at least a ninety degree bend.

Abstract: A venous shunt system and method adapted to shunt cerebral spinal fluid in a patient. A fluid control device having a fluid passage is adapted to be placed allowing cerebral spinal fluid to flow through the fluid passage. A catheter having a lumen, the catheter being in fluid communication with the fluid control device. At least a portion of at least one of the catheter and the fluid control device being subjected to an anti-thrombogenic treatment.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease associated with increased concentration of an undesirable and/or deleterious agent in a central nervous system (CNS) is disclosed. A catheter having no flow restrictor member is placed is used to shunt cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a patient's cerebral ventricle to a venous sinus within the patient's head. Physiologically based pressure differential and control mechanisms between the ventricle and the venous sinus are exploited to control ventriculo-sinus flow of CSF.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.

Abstract: A stylet, apparatus and method for inserting a catheter into the dura of a patient. A hole having a predetermined diameter is made in the dura of the patient. An extensible catheter having a predetermined diameter in a relaxed state is stretched. The predetermined diameter in the relaxed state being greater than or equal to the predetermined diameter of the hole. The catheter is stretched a predetermined distance to a stretched state such that the catheter has a diameter in the stretched state that is smaller than the predetermined diameter of the hole. The stretched catheter is secured in the stretched state. The stretched catheter is inserted through the hole into the dura of the patient. The catheter is returned to its relaxed state allowing the catheter to fill the hole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a hole of a first predetermined diameter in a dura of a patient for the insertion of a catheter having a second predetermined diameter. A burr hole is created in the cranium of the patient, if necessary. A stylet is inserted into the lumen of a catheter with an end of the stylet formed with a tip having a diameter having a predetermined relationship with the first predetermined diameter such that the distal end of the stylet is proximate to a distal end of the catheter. The end of the catheter is inserted into the burr hole of the cranium. An electrical current is applied to the stylet in order to cauterize the dura creating a hole in the dura approximately equal to the diameter of the tip.

Abstract: A method of inserting a drainage catheter into a sagittal sinus having blood flow from an upstream to a downstream direction. A burr hole is created, if necessary, in the cranium of the patient proximate the sagittal sinus. A distal end of a catheter is inserted through the burr hole and the dura into the sagittal sinus. The distal end of the catheter is positioned so that the distal end points generally in the upstream direction with respect to the blood flow. A sagittal sinus catheter is adapted for placement through the dura of a patient proximate a superior sagittal sinus. The catheter is formed of semi-rigid material and has at least a ninety degree bend.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for catheterizing a dura of a patient through a burr hole and through a hole in a dura. A catheter having a lumen is adapted for placement into the cranium through the burr hole and through a hole in the dura. A dural seal patch having a hole sized for and adapted to pass the catheter is adapted to be placed proximate the dura.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, such as a bridging material attached to the stent, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, such as a bridging material attached to the stent, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen.