title: Evidence of an application of a variable MEMS capacitive sensor for detecting shunt occlusions.
abstract: A sensor was tested subdural and in vitro, simulating a supine infant with a ventricular-peritoneal shunt and controlled occlusions. The variable MEMS capacitive device is able to detect and forecast blockages, similar to early detection procedures in cancer patients. For example, with gradual occlusion development over a year, the method forecasts a danger over one month ahead of blockage. The method also distinguishes between ventricular and peritoneal occlusions. Because the sensor provides quantitative data on the dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid, it can help test new therapies and work toward understanding hydrocephalus as well as idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. The sensor appears to be a substantial advance in treating brain injuries treated with shunts and has the potential to bring significant impact in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Apigo
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Newark, NJ 07201, USA.
authors.forename: Philip L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Bartholomew
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Alokik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanwal
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Reginald C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Farrow
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Gordon A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D006801:Humans; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*