Hydrocephalus is a condition that affects humans and  
animals in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up  
within the ventricles of the brain causing an increase in  
intracranial pressure. The CSF must be released using a  
ventriculoperitoneal shunt which effectively removes the fluid  
from the ventricles of the brain to the peritoneal cavity. In  
canines, hydrocephalus is sometimes a fatal condition  
complicated by shunt failure by obstruction. The medical  
procedure is also expensive and has a high failure rate over the  
long term.  
In this paper, we present a systematic framework to carry  
out the multi-objective design exploration of canine shunts for  
managing hydrocephalus. We demonstrate the efficacy of the  
framework by designing a shunt prototype to meet specific goals  
of meeting the CSF flow rate target, minimizing shear stress on  
the shunt, and minimizing shunt weight. The shunt design  
variables considered for the problem include the inner diameter,  
inlet hole diameter, and the distance from the inlet holes to the  
outlet. Using the framework, a multi-objective design problem is  
formulated to explore the combination of shunt design variables  
that best satisfice the conflicting goals defined. The framework  
and associated design constructs are generic and support the  
formulation and decision-based design of similar bio-medical  
devices for different health conditions.


Multi-Objective Design Exploration of a Canine Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt for Hydrocephalus

Division / Sponsors: 
Design Engineering Division and Computers & Information In Engineering Division


Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/IDETC-CIE/IDETC-CIE2020/volume/83907

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