Hydrocephalus SmartShunt
Based on the project "Biothermofluidics for Cerebrospinal Fluid Diagnostics and Control - Development of a Knowledge Base", the multidisciplinary research project "SmartShunt - The Hydrocephalus Project" aims at conducting the basic research necessary for the subsequent development of a smart cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The project is a joint collaboration between the Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control and the external page Interface Group of the Institute of Physiology at the University of Zurich.
Current treatment methods
Today, NPH is most commonly treated by the surgical placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt that drains CSF from the patient’s ventricular space to the peritoneal area. Current shunts rely on differential-pressure valves to control CSF drainage. Although such shunts are available and used since the 1960s, the failure rate is still very high. The three most common causes of failure are obstructions, infections and overdrainage.
Smartshunt
The ultimate goal of the Smartshunt project is the development of a new shunt system that overcomes some of the aforementioned problems. This shall be achieved by using active components and adapting the shunt behavior to the current needs of the patient.
Goals of the project
- Simulation and analysis of the coupling of brain and spinal cord mechanics with CSF flow
- Investigation of CSF flow and pressure in pathological cases such as hydrocephalus
- Mathematical modeling of the relevant human physiology
- Buildup of hardware-in-the-loop test bench for the assessment of current and future shunts
- Development of suitable hardware components
- Determination of control strategies