A CSF Shunt System for Liquorpheresis and CSF Replacement

Liquorpheresis (CSF filtration) comprises a therapeutical approach that has been proposed to treat several neurological conditions where antibodies, inflammatory mediators or abnormal peptides are the cause or play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Continuous or intermittent CSF replacement may be an alternative approach not explored so far.Here, we review previous experiences in the use of liquorpheresis in autoimmune and degenerative neurological diseases. Then we describe a bidirectional CSF shunt system allowing portable liquorpheresis. Alternatively, CSF can be replaced with artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Both options would lead to mechanical dilution of the patient’s CSF.