Patent ID: 7922685

Claim:
A self adjusting hydrocephalus valve for regulating cerebrospinal fluid in a patient, comprising: a housing enclosing therein a chamber that is able to permit fluid flow therethrough; an inlet port in fluid communication with the chamber to accommodate passage of fluid into the chamber, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the chamber to accommodate passage of fluid out of the chamber; and a valve mechanism disposed within the housing for regulating the rate of fluid flow through the chamber, the valve mechanism including a valve seat adjacent to an opening in the inlet port, a blocking member configured to seat in the valve seat, and a biasing element for exerting a biasing force against the blocking member to selectively maintain the blocking member against the valve seat and prevent fluid flow therethrough, the biasing element being configured to respond to a pressure difference within the valve, the biasing element having an adjustable, damped resistance to allow fluid release at a rate which is proportional to an average pressure difference over time, wherein the biasing element comprises a closed fluidic system.