Abstract: A method and device for testing for the presence, absence and/or rate of flow in a shunt tubing implanted under the skin by using a measurement pad having a plurality of temperature sensors, one of which is aligned with the shunt and the other sensors being symmetrically displaced on either side of the first temperature sensor in a direction transverse to the shunt tubing. These “outer” temperature sensors act as control temperature sensors. A temperature source, e.g., a cooling agent, positioned within an insulated enclosure, is then applied at a predetermined location on the measurement pad that is insulated from the temperature sensors. The movement of this temperature “pulse” is detected by the shunt-aligned temperature sensor via the shunt tubing as the CSF carries the temperature pulse while the control sensors detect the pulse via convection through the skin. The temperature data from these sensors are provided to a CSF analyzer that determines a CSF shunt flow status or flow rate.

Abstract: A method and device for testing for the presence, absence and/or rate of flow in a shunt tubing implanted under the skin by using a measurement pad having a plurality of temperature sensors, one of which is aligned with the shunt and the other sensors being symmetrically displaced on either side of the first temperature sensor in a direction transverse to the shunt tubing. These “outer” temperature sensors act as control temperature sensors. A temperature source, e.g., a cooling agent, positioned within an insulated enclosure, is then applied at a predetermined location on the measurement pad that is insulated from the temperature sensors. The movement of this temperature “pulse” is detected by the shunt-aligned temperature sensor via the shunt tubing as the CSF carries the temperature pulse while the control sensors detect the pulse via convection through the skin. The temperature data from these sensors are provided to a CSF analyzer that determines a CSF shunt flow status or flow rate.

Abstract: A method and device for testing for the presence, absence and/or rate of flow in a shunt tubing implanted under the skin by using a measurement pad having a plurality of temperature sensors, one of which is aligned with the shunt and the other sensors being symmetrically displaced on either side of the first temperature sensor in a direction transverse to the shunt tubing. These “outer” temperature sensors act as control temperature sensors. A temperature source, e.g., a cooling agent, positioned within an insulated enclosure, is then applied at a predetermined location on the measurement pad that is insulated from the temperature sensors. The movement of this temperature “pulse” is detected by the shunt-aligned temperature sensor via the shunt tubing as the CSF carries the temperature pulse while the control sensors detect the pulse via convection through the skin. The temperature data from these sensors are provided to a CSF analyzer that determines a CSF shunt flow status or flow rate.

Abstract: A method and device for testing for the presence, absence and/or rate of flow in a shunt tubing implanted under the skin by using a measurement pad having a plurality of temperature sensors, one of which is aligned with the shunt and the other sensors being symmetrically displaced on either side of the first temperature sensor in a direction transverse to the shunt tubing. These “outer” temperature sensors act as control temperature sensors. A temperature source, e.g., a cooling agent, positioned within an insulated enclosure, is then applied at a predetermined location on the measurement pad that is insulated from the temperature sensors. The movement of this temperature “pulse” is detected by the shunt-aligned temperature sensor via the shunt tubing as the CSF carries the temperature pulse while the control sensors detect the pulse via convection through the skin. The temperature data from these sensors are provided to a CSF analyzer that determines a CSF shunt flow status or flow rate.

Abstract: A method for evaluating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate in a CSF shunt applied to a patient for transmitting the CSF between first and second locations of the patient includes applying temperature sensors to the CSF shunt for determining a flow rate of the CSF through the shunt to provide a determined CSF flow rate and applying an error correction sensor to the patient for providing an error correction signal. The determined CSF flow rate is adjusted in accordance with the error correction signal to provide a corrected CSF flow rate. The sensor can be a temperature sensor such as a thermistor. The CSF is cooled and a temperature value of the CSF is measured in accordance with the cooling. A time value is determined in accordance with the temperature value and the CSF flow rate is determined in accordance with the time value.

Abstract: Methods and devices for testing for the presence, absence and/or rate of flow in a shunt tubing implanted under the skin by using a measurement pad having a plurality of temperature sensor configurations, or by using other temperature sensor arrangements, or by using a temperature sensitive material, which are positioned over, or in the vicinity of, the CSF shunt in substantially an upstream and downstream orientation. A temperature source, e.g., a cooling agent, is then applied at a predetermined location with respect to the measurement pad that is insulated from the temperature sensors, or to the temperature sensitive material. The movement of this temperature “pulse” is detected by the temperature sensors, or temperature sensitive material, via the shunt tubing as the CSF carries the temperature pulse while a control sensor detects the pulse via convection through the skin.