US Patent 7025742 Internally powered CSF pump systems and methods

A method treats a patient for adult-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type by removing a portion of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, preferably (although not necessarily) by transporting the fluid to another portion of the patient's body. An apparatus for removing cerebrospinal fluid includes (1) a conduit with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the conduit being disposed in fluid communication with a space within a patient's subarachnoid space, the second opening being disposed in fluid communication with another portion of the patient's body; and (2) a flow rate control device attached to the conduit.