Telemetric ICP Measurement

In addition to using catheters to measure intracranial pressure for acute indications, depending on the clinical assessment it maybe necessary to measure ICP (intracranial pressure) for an extended duration. One specific indication for longer pressure measurement is hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus occurs when the production and absorption of the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) is unbalanced.

In order to monitor the symptoms in hydrocephalus patients with conventional catheters, the patient must remain in bed. This is a significant disadvantage for the study of hydrocephalus. Monitoring ICP during movement and as the hydrocephalus patient changes their head position provides important insights into how to treat the symptoms.

Information about ICP is critical for treating hydrocephalus successfully and sustainably. It forms the decision making basis for guiding therapy. For example, if a patient needs a shunt valve, or how to appropriately adjust the shunt valve for draining the CSF. Too much or too little CSF drainage should be avoided.

By evaluating the patient's ICP during normal activity, the shunt valve can be optimally adjusted for the patient's lifestyle, which significantly reduces the number of procedures on the patient's shunt valve.

RAUMEDIC has developed an innovative and unique system based on telemetry, which offers an alternative to traditional ICP monitoring requiring a cable to be connected to a monitor. The telemetric pressure catheter is fully implanted below the scalp on the cranial bone.

With RAUMEDIC's telemetric system, ICP is measured without the use of a cable and is implanted in the parenchyma using the NEUROVENT-P-tel or in the subdural with the NEUROVENT-S-tel.

The telemetric system measures ICP using microchip technology which transfers pressure values over the closed scalp (without requiring a cable) using validated RFID principles to a reader (Reader TDT readP). The data is captured and stored on the RAUMEDIC MPR1 DATALOGGER. This device is light-weight as well as ergonomically designed and does not limit the patient’s mobility.

• Minimal risk of infection
• Cableless communication with the telemetric catheter
• Fully implanted pressure measuring catheter
• Data recorded with the RAUMEDIC MPR 1 DATALOGGER
• Mobile patient monitoring in an inpatient setting
• Reduction of inpatient treatment time
• Reduced exposure to MR and CT
• Telemetric catheter can be implanted for up to 3 months