Importance

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Abstract

A device for limiting the flow of a fluid from a first region of a patient's body to a second region includes a primary passage for directing fluid from an inlet of the device to an outlet in response to the fluid flow rate being less than a predetermined level and a secondary passage for directing fluid from the inlet to the outlet in response to the flow rate being greater than or equal to the predetermined level. The secondary passage can be characterized as a tortuous flow path and presents a higher resistance to fluid flow than the primary passage. A detector is operative to close the primary passage in response to the flow rate reaching the predetermined level in order to force the fluid to pass through the secondary passage. With this arrangement, when the fluid flow rate reaches a level characteristic of overdrainage, the fluid is forced through the secondary passage in order to effectively reduce the fluid flow rate and prevent overdrainage. As soon as the flow rate decreases below the predetermined level, the primary passage opens itself automatically.

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First Claim