Multi-branched anti-reflux valve

Abstract

A shunt system includes a first catheter and a second catheter, each having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one opening adjacent to its distal end. A proximal end of a drainage catheter is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the first catheter and the proximal end of the second catheter. A first one-way valve is disposed in fluid communication with the first catheter between its proximal end and its at least one opening. The first one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from the proximal end to the at least one opening. A second one-way valve is disposed in fluid communication with the second catheter between its proximal end and its at least one opening. The second one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from the proximal end to the at least one opening.

1 . A shunt system comprising: 
 a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said first catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end;    a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said second catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end;    a drainage catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end of said drainage catheter being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter and said proximal end of said second catheter;    a first one-way valve being disposed in fluid communication with said first catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening, said first one-way valve permitting fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with approximately zero opening pressure, said first one-way valve effectively blocking fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening; and    a second one-way valve being disposed in fluid communication with said second catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening, said second one-way valve permitting fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with approximately zero opening pressure, said second one-way valve effectively blocking fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first one-way valve is a ball and cone valve.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second one-way valve is a ball and cone valve.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector having a first port, a second port and a third port, said first port being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter, said second port being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said second catheter, and said third port being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said drainage catheter.  
   
   
       5 . A shunt system comprising: 
 a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said first catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end;    a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said second catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end;    a drainage catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end of said drainage catheter being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter and said proximal end of said second catheter;    a first one-way valve being disposed in fluid communication with said first catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening, said first one-way valve permitting fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with approximately zero opening pressure, said first one-way valve effectively blocking fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening; and    a second one-way valve being disposed in fluid communication with said second catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening, said second one-way valve permitting fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with a predetermined opening pressure greater than zero, said second one-way valve effectively blocking fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first one-way valve is a ball and cone valve.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second one-way valve is a ball and cone valve.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined opening pressure of said second one-way valve is programmable by a wireless communication.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined opening pressure of said second one-way valve is programmable in the range from approximately 10 mm H 2 O to approximately 400 mm H 2 O.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined opening pressure of said second one-way valve is programmable in the range from approximately 10 mm H 2 O to approximately 200 mm H 2 O.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a connector having a first port, a second port and a third port, said first port being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter, said second port being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said second catheter, and said third port being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said drainage catheter.  
   
   
       12 . A shunt system comprising: 
 a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said first catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end;    a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said second catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end;    a drainage catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end of said drainage catheter being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter and said proximal end of said second catheter;    a first one-way valve being disposed in fluid communication with said first catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening, said first one-way valve permitting fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with a predetermined opening pressure greater than zero, said first one-way valve effectively blocking fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening; and a second one-way valve being disposed in fluid communication with said second catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening, said second one-way valve permitting fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with a predetermined opening pressure greater than zero, said second one-way valve effectively blocking fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first one-way valve is a ball and cone valve.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second one-way valve is a ball and cone valve.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined opening pressure of said first one-way valve is programmable by a wireless communication.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined opening pressure of said second one-way valve is programmable by a wireless communication.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined opening pressure of said first and second one-way valve is programmable in the range from approximately 10 mm H 2 O to approximately 400 mm H 2 O.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined opening pressure of said first and second one-way valve is programmable in the range from approximately 10 mm H 2 O to approximately 200 mm H 2 O.  
   
   
       19 . A method of draining cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from multiple sites within the brain with a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said first catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end; a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said second catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end; and a drainage catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; said method comprising the steps of: 
 placing said proximal end of said drainage catheter in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter and said proximal end of said second catheter;    placing a first one-way valve in fluid communication with said first catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening such that said first one-way valve permits fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with approximately zero opening pressure, and said first one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening; and    placing a second one-way valve in fluid communication with said second catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening such that said second one-way valve permits fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with approximately zero opening pressure, said second one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening.    
   
   
       20 . A method of draining cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from multiple sites within the brain with a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said first catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end; a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said second catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end; and a drainage catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; said method comprising the steps of: 
 placing said proximal end of said drainage catheter in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter and said proximal end of said second catheter;    placing a first one-way valve in fluid communication with said first catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening such that said first one-way valve permits fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with approximately zero opening pressure, and said first one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening; and    placing a second one-way valve in fluid communication with said second catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening such that said second one-way valve permits fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with a predetermined opening pressure greater than zero, said second one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening.    
   
   
       21 . A method of draining cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from multiple sites within the brain with a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said first catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end; a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said second catheter having at least one opening adjacent to said distal end; and a drainage catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; said method comprising the steps of: 
 placing said proximal end of said drainage catheter in fluid communication with said proximal end of said first catheter and said proximal end of said second catheter;    placing a first one-way valve in fluid communication with said first catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening such that said first one-way valve permits fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with a predetermined opening pressure greater than zero, and said first one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening; and    placing a second one-way valve in fluid communication with said second catheter between said proximal end and said at least one opening such that said second one-way valve permits fluid flow from said at least one opening to said proximal end with a predetermined opening pressure greater than zero, said second one-way valve effectively blocks fluid flow from said proximal end to said at least one opening.