Electronic toolset for use with multiple generations of implantable programmable valves with or without orientation functionality based on a fixed reference magnet
Inventors
BODEN, JR., THOMAS • D'Aoust, Patricia • Arazawa, Alexander
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10888692-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for using a universal electronic toolset for indicating and adjusting of an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve regardless of whether the valve includes a fixed reference magnet used to determine an angle of orientation of the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve or not. A magnetic field detection sensor array in an indicator tool of the electronic toolset determines whether the fixed reference magnet is present in the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve. If the presence of the fixed reference magnet is detected then the center and direction of flow of the adjustable valve unit is ascertained via electronic feedback from the electronic toolset; otherwise, the center and direction flow is ascertained via exclusively by manual physical palpation of the valve.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a universal electronic toolset for indicating and adjusting an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve. The implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve includes an adjustable valve unit having a pair of primary magnetic elements used to determine a desired valve setting. The toolset includes an indicator tool with a magnetic field detection sensor array to detect features of the valve using magnetic field detection, including whether the valve includes a fixed reference magnet.
The toolset operates in a universal manner across implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve configurations that may or may not include the fixed reference magnet. When the fixed reference magnet is detected, the toolset locates a center of the adjustable valve unit and ascertains a direction of flow of the adjustable valve unit based exclusively on electronic feedback from the indicator tool, without requiring manual physical palpation. The toolset aligns with the located center and the direction of flow, and reads a current valve setting using the indicator tool.
When the fixed reference magnet is not detected, the toolset still locates the center of the adjustable valve unit using detection of the pair of primary magnetic elements. However, the direction of flow is established exclusively by manual physical palpation without electronic feedback from the indicator tool. After locating the center and establishing the direction of flow by palpation, the toolset aligns with the located center and direction of flow and reads the current valve setting using the indicator tool.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover two aspects of the same concept: a universal method for indicating and adjusting an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve, and a corresponding implantable valve system including the universal electronic toolset and circuitry that implements conditional orientation determination depending on whether a fixed reference magnet is present.
Universal electronic toolset detecting fixed reference magnet to select indicating and adjusting mode
Detecting, using a magnetic field detection sensor array in an indicator tool of the electronic toolset, whether the fixed reference magnet is present in the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve, and then using that detection to select whether subsequent direction of flow or orientation determination is performed exclusively by electronic feedback or exclusively by manual physical palpation.
Electronic feedback direction of flow determination when fixed reference magnet is detected
Locating a center of the adjustable valve unit using the indicator tool of the electronic toolset, ascertaining a direction of flow of the adjustable valve unit based exclusively on electronic feedback provided by the indicator tool of the electronic toolset, without requiring manual physical palpation, aligning the indicator tool with the located center and the direction of flow, and reading a current valve setting using the indicator tool.
Manual physical palpation direction of flow determination when fixed reference magnet is not detected
Locating the center of the adjustable valve unit using the indicator tool of the electronic toolset, establishing the direction of flow of the adjustable valve unit exclusively by manual physical palpation, without electronic feedback from the indicator tool, aligning the indicator tool with the located center and the direction of flow, and reading the current valve setting using the indicator tool.
System with universal electronic toolset and circuitry for center and conditional angular orientation determination
Providing an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve with an adjustable valve unit including a pair of primary magnetic elements, and a universal electronic toolset comprising an indicator tool with a magnetic field detection sensor array for detecting the pair of primary magnetic elements and determining the presence or absence of a fixed reference magnet, plus circuitry for determining a center of the adjustable valve unit based on the detected pair of primary magnetic elements, wherein the circuitry determines exclusively by electronic feedback an angular orientation of the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve when the fixed reference magnet is present, and generates on a display steps for determining exclusively by manual physical palpation the angular orientation when the fixed reference magnet is absent.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a universal electronic toolset and associated method or system that uses magnetic field detection to determine whether a fixed reference magnet is present, then conditionally determines direction of flow or angular orientation exclusively by electronic feedback or exclusively by manual physical palpation, followed by alignment and reading a current valve setting.
Stated Advantages
Ascertaining a direction of flow based exclusively on electronic feedback without requiring manual physical palpation when a fixed reference magnet is detected.
Locating a center of the adjustable valve unit using the indicator tool when a fixed reference magnet is not detected, while still enabling reading a current valve setting after manual palpation establishes the direction of flow.
Documented Applications
Indicating and adjusting an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve, including determining and using valve orientation or direction of flow and reading a current valve setting, in configurations where the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve may or may not include a fixed reference magnet.
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