Three-Dimensionally Printed Microelectromechanical-System Hydrogel Valve for Communicating Hydrocephalus

Seunghyun Lee, Ruth E. Bristol, Mark C. Preul, Junseok Chae

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hydrocephalus (HCP) is a chronic neurological brain disorder caused by a malfunction of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage mechanism in the brain. The current standard method to treat HCP is a shunt system. Unfortunately, the shunt system suffers from complications including mechanical malfunctions, obstructions, infections, blockage, breakage, overdrainage, and/or underdrainage. Some of these complications may be attributed to the shunts' physically large and lengthy course making them susceptible to external forces, siphoning effects, and risks of infection. Additionally, intracranial catheters artificially traverse the brain and drain the ventricle rather than the subarachnoid space. We report a 3D-printed microelectromechanical system-based implantable valve to improve HCP treatment. This device provides an alternative approach targeting restoration of near-natural CSF dynamics by artificial arachnoid granulations (AGs), natural components for CSF drainage in the brain. The valve, made of hydrogel, aims to regulate the CSF flow between the subarachnoid space and the superior sagittal sinus, in essence, substituting for the obstructed arachnoid granulations. The valve, operating in a fully passive manner, utilizes the hydrogel swelling feature to create nonzero cracking pressure, PT ≈ 47.4 ± 6.8 mmH2O, as well as minimize reverse flow leakage, QO ≈ 0.7 μL/min on benchtop experiments. The additional measurements performed in realistic experimental setups using a fixed sheep brain also deliver comparable results, PT ≈ 113.0 ± 9.8 mmH2O and QO ≈ 3.7 μL/min. In automated loop functional tests, the valve maintains functionality for a maximum of 1536 cycles with the PT variance of 44.5 mmH2O < PT < 61.1 mmH2O and negligible average reverse flow leakage rates of a0.3 μL/min.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1398-1404
Number of pages7
JournalACS sensors
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 22 2020

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • MEMS
  • brain implant
  • hydrocephalus
  • hydrogel

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Instrumentation
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

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