Patent ID: 9072866
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: A61B,A61M,G01F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for evaluating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate or flow status in a CSF shunt applied to the body of a patient for transmitting said CSF between first and second locations of said body, said apparatus comprising: a single pad that is adapted to be placed against the skin of a patient over the location of the CSF shunt and comprising an opening that is adapted to apply a temperature source against the skin and a temperature pulse into the CSF, said pad comprising a plurality of temperature sensors and wherein one of said plurality of temperature sensors is configured to be aligned with the CSF shunt, each of said temperature sensors configured to generate respective temperature data related to movement of said temperature pulse in the CSF or in surrounding skin; and a sensor processing device that is electrically coupled to said pad for receiving temperature data from each of said temperature sensors, said sensor processing device determining a flow rate or flow status of said CSF through said shunt based upon said temperature data when said temperature source is applied to said opening.