Note: For Indications for Use and detailed information concerning the ShuntCheck III product and procedure, please refer to the Operating Manual here.
ShuntCheck uses non-invasive thermal dilution to detect fluid flow in CSF shunts.
![](https://neurodx.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Shuntcheck-Page-Photo-1.png)
Shunt flow moves the cooled CSF “downstream”, cooling the skin under the thermosensor. The sensor monitors the skin temperature during the two ice placements and for 4 minutes after the ice is removed.
Sensor data is analyzed by the ShuntCheck software and test results are displayed on a laptop or tablet computer.
The results screen below illustrates what the results may look like for a flowing shunt.
The panel on the left summarizes patient and test information including the test result of Flow Confirmed. The panel on the right presents a time-temperature graph of sensor data. (The blue bar shows the 60 second and 120 second ice pack placement periods). This test shows a 0.32°C temperature drop due to chilled CSF flowing beneath the sensor.
![](https://neurodx.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Shuntcheck-Page-Photo-2.png)
The results screen below illustrates what the results may look like for a non-flowing shunt.
Since the shunt is not flowing, cooled CSF has not reached the sensor and the time-temperature graph shows no temperature decrease. This test summary is Flow Not Confirmed.
![](https://neurodx.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Shuntcheck-Page-Photo-3.png)
The ShuntCheck III System
The ShuntCheck III system consists of three components – the ShuntCheck Thermosensor (which monitors skin temperature), the Data Acquisition Unit (DAQ – which converts the sensor signal into digital format), and a battery‐powered Windows computer (laptop, tablet or “COW” operating on battery power) running ShuntCheck software. The ShuntCheck Test Pack also includes an Instant Ice Pack plus a skin marker pen, so that all the items required for the test are included in a clamshell pack.
The full system is shown below:
![](https://neurodx.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Shuntcheck-Page-Photo-4.png)
Counterclockwise from top left: the Windows tablet or laptop computer running
ShuntCheck software, the skin marker pen, the instant ice pack, the ShuntCheck
Thermosensor & the DAQ