Patent ID: 7717872

Claim:
An implantable fluid shunting apparatus comprising: a tube comprising a proximal tube end, a distal tube end, and a tube lumen extending from the proximal tube end to the distal tube end; a shunt tip attached to the distal tube end, wherein a longitudinal axis extends between the distal tube end and a distal tip end, and wherein at least a portion of the shunt tip tapers when moving from the distal tube end towards the distal tip end of the shunt tip; a tip lumen extending through the shunt tip along the longitudinal axis, the tip lumen in fluid communication with the tube lumen, wherein at least a portion of the tip lumen is conically shaped when moving from the distal tube end towards the distal tip end, and wherein the tip lumen comprises a closed end proximate the distal end of the shunt tip; wherein the tip lumen is defined by a wall that comprises laser-ablatable material such that an opening can be formed through the wall and into the tip lumen using laser energy incident on an outer surface of the shunt tip.