pilot study of the cerevasc® eshunt® system in normal pressure hydrocephalus

Conditions: Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure; Hydrocephalus

Summary: the eshunt system includes proprietary delivery componentry and the eshunt implant, a permanent implant deployed in a minimally invasive, neurointerventional procedure. the eshunt implant is designed to mimic the function of the arachnoid granulations by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid (csf) from the intracranial subarachnoid space (sas) into the venous system.

this is a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, single-center, pilot study in subjects with normal pressure hydrocephalus for whom a traditional csf shunt implant is indicated. up to 30 subjects will receive the eshunt implant at one investigational site. subjects will return for five follow-up visits in the first year and then continue to attend visits every six months for five years post-implantation. the study objectives are to demonstrate safety of the eshunt procedure, as well as demonstrate safety and efficacy of the eshunt implant in a small sample of patients. subjects will be followed long-term; primary analysis results will be used to support additional studies.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. patients 65-85 years old and traditional csf shunt placement is indicated based upon a diagnostic nph evaluation 2. patient is able and willing to provide written informed consent 3. history or evidence of gait impairment duration ≥6 months 4. clinical presentation consistent with nph including 2 or more of the clinical triad (i.e., history of gait disturbance, progressive mental deterioration, and urinary urgency or incontinence), together with: 1. brain mri signs of ventricular enlargement disproportionate to cerebral atrophy (evans index \>0.3) and the absence of severe hippocampal atrophy 2. pre-procedure spinal tap test with subsequent gait disturbance improvement (timed up and go test) of at least 20% 3. csf opening pressure ≥10 cmh2o 4. baseline cognitive evaluation assessed by montreal cognitive assessment (moca) test score ≥12 5. pre-procedure mri confirmation of anatomy suitable for eshunt procedure, as described in section 1.8.3.4.2 and confirmed by ssc 6. pre-procedure ct confirmation of anatomy suitable for eshunt procedure, as described in section 1.8.3.4.2 and confirmed by ssc exclusion criteria: 1. unable to walk 10 meters (33 feet) with or without an assistive device 2. conditions impairing gait that are considered to be unrelated to hydrocephalus 3. signs or symptoms of obstructive hydrocephalus 4. active systemic infection or infection detected in csf 5. prior or existing shunts, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or any previous surgical intervention for hydrocephalus 6. hypersensitivity or contraindication to heparin or radiographic contrast agents which cannot be adequately pre-medicated, desensitized or where no alternative is available 7. occlusion or stenosis of the internal jugular vein 8. venous distension in the neck on physical exam 9. atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale identified on cardiac echocardiogram 10. history of bleeding diatheses, coagulopathy or will refuse blood transfusion in cases of emergency 11. stroke or transient ischemic attack within 180 days of eshunt procedure 12. presence of a deep vein thrombosis superior to the popliteal vein 13. international normalized ratio (inr) or partial thromboplastin time (ptt) results outside of normal range (inr 0.8-1.4; ptt 25-35 seconds) 14. presence of a posterior fossa tumor or mass 15. life expectancy \< 1 year 16. currently participating in another investigational drug or device trial that could conflict with study data collection or follow-up 17. other medical illnesses that may cause the patient to be non-compliant with the protocol or confound data interpretation 18. pregnant or planning to become pregnant 19. unwilling or unable to comply with follow-up requirements

Keywords: eshunt minimally invasive shunt endovascular shunt