Evidence of an application of a variable MEMS capacitive sensor for detecting shunt occlusions

David J Apigo,Philip L Bartholomew,Reginald C Farrow,Thomas Russell,Gordon A Thomas,Alokik Kanwal

doi:10.1038/srep46039

David J Apigo, Philip L Bartholomew + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46039

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Apr 5, 2017
Citations: 7	License type: open-access

Affiliation: New Jersey Institute of Technology

Abstract

A sensor was tested subdural and in vitro, simulating a supine infant with a ventricular-peritoneal shunt and controlled occlusions. The variable MEMS capacitive device is able to detect and forecast blockages, similar to early detection procedures in cancer patients. For example, with gradual occlusion development over a year, the method forecasts a danger over one month ahead of blockage. The method also distinguishes between ventricular and peritoneal occlusions. Because the sensor provides quantitative data on the dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid, it can help test new therapies and work toward understanding hydrocephalus as well as idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. The sensor appears to be a substantial advance in treating brain injuries treated with shunts and has the potential to bring significant impact in a clinical setting.

Highlights

In patients effected by idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, improvement rates up to 96% have been reported[6]
Arbour[19] has presented a clear explanation of a current procedure to assess intracranial hypertension: invasive surgery that implants sensors via a catheter which is connected to a transducer that can read the intracranial pressure (ICP) of the patient
The smart shunt studied here addresses the challenges of monitoring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using conventional principles of hydrodynamics, and uses state-of-the-art MEMS fabrication technology and electronics

Summary

Introduction

Di Rocco, et al.[11] show evidence that this composition implies the fluid and its solutes are not occluding the shunt, but possibly fragments of bone or brain tissue left over from the surgery to implant the shunt This finding is in agreement with a previous report by Brydon, et al.[12] indicating that sufficient protein deposition does not occur in shunts to cause blockage. In thorough studies performed by Stone, et al.[16] and Tuli, et al.[17] it was shown that after approximately 24 months, over 50% of shunts need revisions This requires the patient to undergo a second invasive surgery to remove the old shunt and insert a new one.

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