Abstract: A therapy system includes a therapy module implantable within a mammalian body that provides a given therapy and a control module implantable within the mammalian body that effects the therapy provided by the therapy module. The control module is physically separate from the therapy module.

Abstract: A therapy system includes a therapy module implantable within a mammalian body that provides a given therapy and a control module implantable within the mammalian body that effects the therapy provided by the therapy module. The control module is physically separate from the therapy module.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient at relatively constant flow rates for patients having normal intracranial pressures, e.g. patients not suffering from hydrocephalus. The devices and methods provide drainage paths which permit the removal of CSF at relatively low flow rates, usually below, 0.2 ml/min, at normal intracranial pressures, e.g. an intracranial pressure between ?170 mm of H2O in upright patients and 200 mm of H2O in reclining patients. The removal of CSF at relatively low, constant rates is particularly suitable for treating Alzheimer's disease and other conditions related to the presence of toxic and/or pathogenic substances in the CSF.

Abstract: Normal pressure hydrocephalus is treated by removing cerebralspinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient. In particular, CSF is drained while pressure within the CSF space remains within an expected normal range for the patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient at relatively constant flow rates for patients having normal intracranial pressures, e.g. patients not suffering from hydrocephalus. The devices and methods provide drainage paths which permit the removal of CSF at relatively low flow rates, usually below 0.2 ml/min, at normal intracranial pressures, e.g. an intracranial pressure between −170 mm of H2O in upright patients and 200 mm of H2O in reclining patients. The removal of CSF at relatively low, constant rates is particularly suitable for treating Alzheimer's disease and other conditions related to the presence of toxic and/or pathogenic substances in the CSF.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient at relatively constant flow rates for patients having normal intracranial pressures, e.g. patients not suffering from hydrocephalus. The devices and methods provide drainage paths which permit the removal of CSF at relatively low flow rates, usually below 0.2 ml/min, at normal intracranial pressures, e.g. an intracranial pressure between −170 mm of H2O in upright patients and 200 mm of H2O in reclining patients. The removal of CSF at relatively low, constant rates is particularly suitable for treating Alzheimer's disease and other conditions related to the presence of toxic and/or pathogenic substances in the CSF.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space of a patient at relatively constant flow rates for patients having normal intracranial pressures, e.g. patients not suffering from hydrocephalus. The devices and methods provide drainage paths which permit the removal of CSF at relatively low flow rates, usually below 0.2 ml/min, at normal intracranial pressures, e.g. an intracranial pressure between −170 mm of H2O in upright patients and 200 mm of H2O in reclining patients. The removal of CSF at relatively low, constant rates is particularly suitable for treating Alzheimer's disease and other conditions related to the presence of toxic and/or pathogenic substances in the CSF.

Abstract: A hydrocephalus valve for relieving pressures in the brain by draining cerebrospinal fluid. The valve is coupled at an inlet end to a ventricular catheter for routing fluid from the brain and delivering that fluid to another body region. An outlet portion of the valve unit is coupled to a drainage catheter. Two different construction valves form a valve mechanism that regulates fluid flow from the brain. An inlet valve comprises a check valve to facilitate pumping of the valve unit and in addition, helps break up proteins suspended within the cerebrospinal spinal. At an outlet portion, a pressure control valve having a coiled spring for biasing a ball against a valve seat, controls pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid as it exits the valve mechanism and is delivered to the drainage catheter.

Abstract: An improved control system for a neural stimulator allowing either the patient or physician to effect the level of output by application of an external magnet. Such application of a magnet for a predetermined period of time initiates an incrementally increasing output, under control of an implanted microprocessor, allowing human feedback from the patient to determine the effective level of output current to fix the output at the selected effective level.

Abstract: The intracranial ventricular catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end. A connector is located at the proximal end of the catheter body and an inflatable balloon is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. A stopcock mechanism is mounted along the catheter body at a position distal to the proximal connector. The catheter body has at least one port in a sidewall thereof at a position just proximal to the inflatable balloon. The catheter body has a first passageway extending from the stopcock mechanism to an interior space of the inflatable balloon. The catheter body also has a second passageway extending from the port to and through the proximal connector, to a pressure sensing device connected to the proximal connector.

Abstract: The packaging system for a sterile hydrocephalus shunt provides access to the valves of the shunt for air testing of the opening and closing pressures of the valves without compromising the sterility of the shunt. The packaging system comprises two nested plastic packs positioned around the shunt with access to the valves of the shunt being provided by an air feedthrough connector assembly which includes a bacteriostatic filter to maintain the contents of the packaging system sterile against contamination by the air used in the pressure testing of the valves. The bacteriostatic filter is impervious to bacterial contaminants but is pervious to air or gaseous sterilizing agents which may be passed therethrough.

Abstract: A ventricular hydrocephalus treatment system is provided which includes a right angle connector having a self-sealing port that is in general alignment with a distal end opening of the right angle connector in order to provide for implanting passage of a stylet through the self-sealing port and into a ventricular catheter projecting through the proximal end opening. The ventricular catheter is an integral part of a tubing assembly that also includes a hydrocephalus valve for regulating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the ventricular catheter after implantation into a ventricle of the brain.

Abstract: A sterile packaging system for an implantable cardiac pacer or tissue stimulator has a ribbon-like electrical connector strip that permits testing and use of the pacer while it remains sealed in a sterile container. The strip is a thin film of a flexible, non-conductive material with a set of longitudinally oriented conductive paths formed on one surface. A nested set of vacuum formed, plastic blister packs surround and secure the pacer. Each blister pack has a removable closure secured to its periphery. The pack and sealant are impervious to biological contaminants. The closure is preferably a film material that is pervious to a sterilizing agent. The connector strip is preferably two strips, each extending through the peripheral seal of one of the packs. The conductive paths of each strip are in series electrical connection when the packs are assembled.

Abstract: An improved control system for a neural stimulator allowing either the patient or physician to effect the level of output by application of an external magnet. Such application of a magnet for a predetermined period of time initiates an incrementally increasing output, under control of an implanted microprocessor, allowing human feedback from the patient to determine the effective level of output current to fix the output at the selected effective level.