Patent ID: 8784331

Claim:
A device for automatically determining hydrodynamic characteristics of a patient cerebrospinal fluid system, comprising: (a) a hose pump for infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid from a container into or out of the patient cerebrospinal fluid system for continuous pressure measurement through a first fluid contact passage and active infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid through a second fluid contact passage; (b) a pump hose through which the artificial cerebrospinal fluid is fed from the container; (c) pressure transducers for continuous measurement of intracranial pressure; (d) an invasive contact object, connected to the pump hose, with two lumens for creating fluid contact with the cerebrospinal fluid system; and (e) a computer for control of the hose pump, the computer having software for computerized collection and analysis, and programmed according to a predetermined protocol that generates or provides pressure and flow information and uses the information for determining, with an uncertainty estimate, the hydrodynamic characteristics of the patient, wherein the computer is programmed to initially measure each level of pressure and flow for predetermined time intervals, and to automatically proceed to a next level of pressure and flow based upon a determination by the computer that a sufficient accuracy or precision of the hydrodynamic properties has been obtained.