Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder whereby the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain builds up, causing severe pain and swelling of the head. This is particularly prevalent in infants, and is becoming more common.  Shunts were used for decades to treat hydrocephalus patients, where mechanical valves were the popular type for draining the CSF. The problem is these valves have serious drawbacks e.g. overflow, low long-term accuracy, drift, low durability.

The ever-lasting dream of a fully shunted hydrocephalus patient is to (re)gain shunt independence and to be shunt-free. While this may have been only a dream in the past, recent advances have made this a realistic prospect for some. Clinical trials have illustrated that (re)activation of natural drainage and adapting the patient to abnormal ICP levels is achievable.

In this paper, a new technique is introduced to determine the actual shunt dependence  and  then  singling  out  shunt  independence  in  an  attempt  of  progressively shunt removing thus minimising the risks. In addition, three novel enhancements are investigated to actively establish shunt independence (controlled arrest of hydrocephalus). The mechatronic shunting system would ease clinician and researchers concerns regarding shunt removal since it would adopt an algorithm that would personalise the weaning plan to the individual patient's needs and response.

Keywords: Hydrocephalus, Shunt Removal, Mecharonic Shunt, Shunt Weaning, CSF

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Abdelrahman A. Alkharabsheh

Computer Eng. Dept, Faculty of Engineering and Computer, Qassim Private Colleges

Alqassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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