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  • Articles
  • Shunt infection: How it develops and how it can be prevented
    • Shunt therapy is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus, but carries the risk of serious complications such as shunt infections. Find out more about symptoms, causes, treatment options and preventive approaches such as antibiotic-impregnated catheters.
  • LP shunt vs. VP shunt
    • The choice between LP and VP shunt is essential for the successful treatment of hydrocephalus. This article provides a detailed comparison, looking at the indications, benefits and potential risks of both types of implantation - informed insights for better treatment decisions.
  • The Innovative Leap to Telemetric Pressure Sensors
    • Telemetric pressure sensors are setting new standards in the hydrocephalus shunt therapy. The article analyzes the technical limitations of conventional ICP sensors and presents trend-setting innovations in the field of measurement with telemetric pressure sensors - for more precise and efficient treatments.
  • ICP – the measurement of intracranial pressure
    • The measurement and interpretation of intracranial pressure (ICP) is a very helpful aid in the diagnosis and treatment of many brain diseases. The article explains the technical requirements for ICP measurements, the interpretation of ICP values in intracranial pressure measurements and their significance for effective treatment planning.
  • Over- and underdrainage - the most common “side effects” of shunt systems
    • Shunt systems in hydrocephalus therapy have a long history, but over- and underdrainage are still common complications with their potential consequences, such as slit ventricle syndrome. The article looks at the causes, consequences and therapeutic approaches of both problems and discusses whether gravitational technology offers a possible remedy.
  • Foundations of fluid mechanics, or of beakers, bottles and people
    • The article introduces fluid mechanics and explains how the cerebrospinal fluid works in the human brain. It explains the hydrodynamics in the shunt system and shows why the circulation and pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid are important factors for optimizing shunt therapies.

Shunt-
systems

for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Shuntsystems
VP Shunt
LP Shunt
Gravitational Technology
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Shuntsystems

for Hydrocephals Treatment

In hydrocephalus, too much cerebrospinal fluid (liquor) builds up in the brain. A shunt system is usually implanted to drain excess fluid. A valve controls the amount of fluid drained. The whole drainage system consists of catheters, a valve and any other accessories, and is called a shunt or shunt system. VP shunts are the most commonly used worldwide. However, there are also other forms of drainage, such as the LP shunt.

VP Shunt

ventrikuloperitoneal Drainage

There are cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid: the ventricles. In a VP shunt operation, a catheter is placed in one of the ventricles and guided under the skin to the valve behind the ear. The valve determines when cerebrospinal fluid is drained. There are adjustable and non-adjustable valves that can be selected individually according to the patient's requirements. The peritoneal catheter is guided under the skin from the valve into the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The catheter does not go into one of the organs but into the abdominal cavity in between. There the cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed and broken down by the body. As only a few millilitres are involved, this is easy for the body to cope with.

 

The name ‘ventriculoperitoneal’ therefore describes the path of the cerebrospinal fluid: from the ventricle into the peritoneal space.

LP Shunt

lumboperitoneal Drainage

An LP shunt (lumboperitoneal shunt) drains the cerebrospinal fluid not from the brain, but from the lower part of the spinal canal - the so-called lumbar canal. The lumbar canal and the cerebrospinal fluid chambers (ventricles) in the brain are connected to each other. For this reason, drainage from the lumbar canal (LP shunt) has the same relieving effect as drainage directly from the ventricles (VP shunt).

 

A catheter is used to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal. The catheter leads under the skin to a valve that regulates the drainage - here too, there are adjustable and non-adjustable valves. A peritoneal catheter leads from the valve into the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), where the drained cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed and broken down by the body.

The name ‘lumboperitoneal’ therefore describes the path of the cerebrospinal fluid: from the lumbar canal into the peritoneal space.

LP-Shunt vs. VP-Shunt


In our MIETHKE Journal, we explain the physical background of the different types of shunts in more detail.                                                                        

the Journal Article

MIETHKE

Gravitational Technology

MIETHKE's innovative gravitational valves are suitable for both LP and VP shunts. Since 1992, we have been working every day to develop technologies that improve the lives of hydrocephalus patients.

 

UNDERSTAND GRAVITATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

 

 

 

 

Shuntsystems FAQ

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A shunt system is a medical device used to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain to another part of the body, such as the abdomen, where it can be absorbed.

 

A shunt system works by diverting excess cerebrospinal fluid through a catheter and valve system. The valve regulates the flow to maintain stable intracranial pressure and prevent over- or under-drainage.

 

The most common types of shunt systems for hydrocephalus are ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts, ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts, and lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts. They differ in where the cerebrospinal fluid is drained in the body.

 

A programmable shunt is a type of hydrocephalus shunt that allows the opening pressure to be adjusted non-invasively using an external device. This enables physicians to optimize cerebrospinal fluid drainage without additional surgery.

 

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Our Motivation

We want to develop technologies that enable all hydrocephalus-patients worldwide to live a normal life.

[Translate to English:]

#MEandMyHC

Life with hydrocephalus is as individual as you. With this campaign, we want to put a face behind the diagnosis.

Adjustable valves

The adjustable valves from MIETHKE can be adjusted postoperatively and non-invasively.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRODUCT?
WE ARE THERE FOR YOU

+49 331 620 83 0
info@miethke.com

Roland Schulz

Vice President Product & Sales

August von Hardenberg

Director Product Management

Josefine Kehl

Training and Visitor Management

Jan Mügel

Product Management

Michaela Funk-Neubarth

Head of Marketing

Thoralf Knitter

Director System Development

Thammo Weise

Product Management

Andreas Bunge

Product Management

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OUR PARTNERSHIP
WITH B. BRAUN

 

B. Braun and MIETHKE - Together for a better life with hydrocephalus

We have a long and intensive partnership with B. Braun in the field of neurosurgery. We are driven by a common vision: to improve the lives of hydrocephalus patients around the world with innovative solutions.

Our partnership is an exciting combination of B. Braun's many years of expertise as one of the world's leading medical device and pharmaceutical companies and our agility as an innovative company and technology leader in gravitation-based shunt technology. 

 

Our Strong Partner in Neurosurgery:

www.bbraun.com