Implantable Intracranial Pressure Sensor with Continuous Bluetooth Transmission via Mobile Application

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neurology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Hydrocephalus involves excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) buildup, often requiring shunt systems.
• Shunt systems are prone to failure, necessitating invasive diagnostic procedures.
• Continuous, noninvasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring can aid in shunt failure detection and study of conditions like NPH and IIH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an implantable, continuous, rechargeable ICP monitoring device.
• To assess the device's accuracy and ability to detect simulated shunt failures and ICP fluctuations.
• To enable wireless data transmission via Bluetooth to mobile applications for accessible ICP monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Design and prototyping of an implantable, rechargeable ICP monitoring system.
• Ex-vivo testing of the system to simulate shunt occlusions, disconnections, and valve failures.
• Validation of ICP measurements against a ±2 mmHg margin at lower ranges and ±10% at higher ranges (20-100 mmHg).
• Integration with a mobile application for real-time ICP data display and fluctuation detection.

Main Results:

• The ICP monitoring system met design requirements at lower ICP ranges (≤20 mmHg) with an error within ±2 mmHg.
• The system demonstrated a slightly higher error (±10%) at higher ICP ranges (20-100 mmHg).
• The system successfully simulated various shunt failure scenarios and physiological ICP waves (A and B waves).
• The mobile application accurately detected simulated ICP fluctuations.

Conclusions:

• The developed macro-scale prototype represents a viable ex-vivo model for an implantable, rechargeable ICP monitoring system.
• The system has the potential to measure clinically relevant ICPs and provide continuous, accessible wireless data.
• This technology could significantly aid in the diagnosis and management of shunt failure and related neurological conditions.