Portable pressure relief system & methods

[0004] This invention, with its several desirable features, is summarized in the CLAIMS that follow. After reading the following section entitled "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION," one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits. The benefits of this invention include, but are not limited to: reduced costs associated with care giving for patients requiring drainage of fluids, convenience of use and enhanced mobility of for patients requiring drainage of fluids, avoidance of catheter blockage, and enhanced patient mobility.

[0010] In this one embodiment, a connector adapted to be attached to the cranium holds the first end of the catheter in position in the cavity. This connector is also a feature of this invention, preventing leakage of fluid past it, so that essentially all the fluid flowing from the cavity passes through the catheter with essentially no fluid bypassing the catheter and flowing around the connector. The outlet of the pressure-responsive valve is attached so as to receive the fluid. The connector may be integral with the catheter and may include a thread element on an external surface of the catheter at or nearby the outlet end of the catheter. The connector fits snugly into a hole in the cranium to prevent any substantial leakage of fluid past the connector, and it may have a passageway therein through which the drainage catheter extends so that the outlet end of the catheter is external to the cranium. The passageway may be formed by a substantially cylindrical wall member with a cleft therein. Typically, the connector may have a body with external threads thereon enabling the connector to be screwed into the hole. This body is made of a material that deforms upon compression and has a substantially truncated conical shape sized to fit into the hole and compress as the connector is screwed to the hole. Such a connector provides a substantially fluid tight seal between the hole and the body, with the passageway being constricted as connector is screwed into the hole to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the catheter and the passageway. In one embodiment, the body may have an enlarged head that acts as a stop adapted to bear against an external portion of the cranium surrounding the hole. The enlarged head may have at least one suture orifice therein to enable the connector to be sutured to the cranium to prevent movement of the connector within the hole after insertion into the hole.

[0014] One method is specific for collecting fluid within a cavity formed at least in part by the ventricle walls of the brain enclosed within the cranium of a patient. A hole is formed in the cranium to provide access to the cavity and a plug-type connector sized to fit snugly in the hole to prevent any substantial leakage of fluid past the connector. The connector may have a passageway therein. An elongated drainage catheter passes through the passageway so that a first end of the catheter is seated within the cavity and a second end of the catheter is external to the cranium. The first end may have at least one drainage aperture therein. Typically, the drainage catheter fits snug within the passageway to prevent any substantial leakage of between the catheter and the passageway. The flow of fluid from the cavity is controlled so that the fluid pressure within cavity is maintained at a level that prevents the ventricle walls form making substantial contact with the drainage apertures. In one embodiment, a connector is used of the type discussed above.

An incorrect pressure differential results either in too much fluid drainage or inadequate drainage.

The system 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is relatively cumbersome and essentially relegates the patient to the hospital bed.

Moreover, movement of the patient changes the relative elevation of the proximal and distal ends of catheter, and thus alters the pressure differential therethrough.

This prior art system is both cumbersome, inconvenient to the patient, and requires a nurse to spend time attending to the patient.