title: The problems of design and implantation of shunt systems for the treatment of hydrocephalus.
abstract: Engineers and surgeons concerned with the design and use of shunt systems for the treatment of hydrocephalus share the wish to avoid the implantation of defective devices and to improve existing shunt systems. This study considers the causes of shunt failure or malfunction and seeks to define the areas in which improvements are needed. An important factor in bringing about improvements is that surgeons communicate to designers and manufacturers their clinical observations of defective materials or performance in existing shunt systems.
mesh_terms: D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*