| dc.description.abstract | Hydrocephalus occurs when excessive quantities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulate in the ventricles. Current treatment of the condition involves implanting a ventricular shunt, composed of an inflow catheter originating at the site of the obstructed ventricle, a valve, and an outflow catheter that drains the excess fluid into the peritoneal cavity where it can be safely reabsorbed or excreted. This method of treatment is crude and subject to many complications including, but not limited to, infection, blockage, and over-draining. Therefore, the flow of CSF out of the ventricles and into the abdomen must be carefully monitored. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective and non-invasive means of doing so. Here we present the design and partial integration of a prototype for a wireless, fully implantable, miniaturized RFID-based device for monitoring and recording the functional state of a ventricular shunt. The purpose of this device is to provide a minimally-invasive and robust method for digitally interrogating shunt function. Such a platform would, ideally, allow for real-time, wireless monitoring which will serve to inform the patient and their care providers of abnormalities in shunt performance and allow them to take the appropriate measures before further complications can occur. | |
