Centeral nervous system shunt monitoring system

Abstract

A method of monitoring Central Nervous Shunt performance by sampling non-invasive data from a patient with hydrocephalus condition. The sampled data is processed to produce a determination of probable shunt operation. Where the shunt may not operate properly, the processing produces a prediction of possible shunt malfunction. The processing includes a method to assess which of a set of possible malfunctions is the most likely. The processing can also be used to advise the user on how to remedy the problem diagnosed. The shunt performance rating can also be used to monitor shunt performance over time and process the time data to provide for a shunt operation status or observe the compatibility of a particular shunt type to a patient.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A data processing apparatus used to generate a prediction of CNS shunt operation, said apparatus comprising: 
 an input interface;    a disk drive;    a display; and    a processing unit to analyze said input data and generate output data corresponding to an identifier for at least one prediction of shunt operation.    
     
     
         2 . A computer program used to process data to predict the operation of a CNS shunt comprising: 
 a program module to receive data from a user;    a program module to process said data and generate at least one prediction; and    an output module to pass said prediction to an output device.