Importance

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Abstract

A biomedical implantable shunt is provided having an enlarged generally circular pump body and a perforated distal and proximal catheter attached to said body. The catheters are intended to have excess length so they can be cut to proper length as necessary to fit a specific patient. The pump body includes a vestibule at the outlet end directly connected to the distal catheter. A pair of one-way miter valves are provided within the pump body. The inlet valve is directly connected to the entrance provided for the proximal catheter while the outlet valve is positioned within the vestibule which is connected to the distal catheter. A longitudinal ridge is provided in the base member of the pump body with one end of the ridge positioned directly under the inlet valve to eliminate the possibility of the valve becoming sealed in the closed position during the pumping operation. Additional longitudinal as well as transverse ridges can be provided in the base section as well as the interior of the pump dome to provide strength and rigidity within the pump body. The pump body portion of the shunt is formed as a one-piece integral unit by means of injection molding. Two separate mold cores are provided which are cantilevered with the pump body core supported by the vestibule core. The vestibule core is in turn supported from the interior of the mold so as to hold both cores in proper position and alignment during the molding process. The inlet and outlet apertures for the proximal and distal catheters respectively, are sized according to the elasticity and tear-resistance of the materials used in the molding process so that the cores can be extracted from the article without tearing or otherwise injuring the pump body material.

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First Claim