Patent ID: 6685638
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for verifying the position of a valve mechanism in an adjustable programmable valve implanted in a patient, comprising the steps of:providing an acoustic monitoring system comprising a programmer for generating a sequence of commands to adjust an opening pressure of the valve mechanism, and a transmitter electronically coupled to the programmer for receiving the commands, the transmitter being electronically coupled to a sensor for detecting an acoustic signal generated from the valve mechanism during an adjustment cycle, the sensor being held by a tubular coupling rod within the transmitter; manually determining the location of the valve mechanism of the implanted valve; positioning the transmitter over the valve mechanism; initiating the sequence of commands from the programmer; detecting the acoustic signal generated from the valve mechanism during the adjustment cycle with the sensor; analyzing the acoustic signal with the programmer; and generating a signal to confirm the success or failure of the adjustment.