- Home
- Companies
- Christoph Miethke GmbH & Co. KG
- Products
- Miethke proGAV - Position-dependent ...
Miethke proGAV - Position-dependent Valve
The proGAV is a position-dependent valve. This means that the opening pressure varies depending on the body position of the patient. It consists of a ball-cone valve with an adjustable opening pressure, and a fixed pressure gravitational unit. In order to configure the proGAV according to the patient´s individual needs, the surgeon determines the opening pressure required for both the horizontal and vertical positions.
- first adjustable gravitational valve for the treatment of adult and pediatric hydrocephalus
- more protection against over-drainage complications due to position-dependent function and infinitely variable pressure setting from 0-20 cmH2O
- MRI compatible up to 3 Tesla: no X-ray control after MRI necessary, no additional radiation exposure for the patient
- quick and easy adjustment
- "Active-Lock" mechanism: protected against unintentional adjustment by means of exposure to magnets found in daily life, such as those used in smartphones, toys, induction cookers or safety barriers at the airport
- Precise precision mechanics
- Robust and durable through the use of titanium
HORIZONTAL POSITION
When the patient moves to the horizontal position, the gravitational unit opens completely. Thus, there is no longer any resistance to the flow of the CSF and the gravitational unit has no effect at all while the patient is lying down. The opening pressure of the proGAV is defined solely by the adjustable unit.
The setting of the opening pressure is determined by the clinical needs of the patient. The range of the adjustable unit is defined from 0 to 20 cmH2O.
As long as the IVP (intraventricular pressure) is under the defined opening pressure the adjustable unit is closed and the CSF-drainage is prevented. If the patient`s IVP increases and rises above the defined opening pressure, the spring pressure of the ball-cone unit will eventually be overcome and the sealing ball will move away from the cone. Now the proGAV is open and CSF is drained.
As soon as the patient moves into an upright position the gravitational unit closes and therefore the total opening pressure of the proGAV is significantly increased. The flow of CSF is blocked until the sum of the intraventricular and hydrostatic pressures exeeds the total opening pressure of the proGAV. In this case the gravitational unit opens and the drainage of CSF is possible. The opening pressure of the gravitational unit increases steadily as the patient moves to the upright position. This provides effective protection against over-drainage.
VALVE ADJUSTMENTThe patented adjustment and verification instruments allow easy, fast and uncomplicated treatment at any location, without having to expose the patient to X-ray radiation. The unique "Active-Lock" mechanism protects the proGAV against accidental re-adjustment by external magnetic fields.
Due to the wide range of opening pressures 0-20 cmH2O (0-20 cmH2O) available on the proGAV, there are numerous possible treatment options.