• Carlie McCoy, Smruti K Patel, and Jesse Skoch.
• Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
• Neurosurgery. 2024 Oct 23.

Background And ObjectivesProgrammable shunt valves (PSVs) used to treat hydrocephalus require specialized valve-specific devices that determine their setting. However, these devices are typically only accessible in major medical centers. This study explores the feasibility of using smartphone magnetometers to assess PSV settings.MethodsWe investigated 2 PSVs, the Codman Certas Plus and Medtronic Strata II, using 3 different smartphones. Free open-source software was used to measure magnetic flux densities of the shunts, and PSV-specific algorithms were developed to interpret these measurements. All measurements were performed ex vivo.ResultsWe demonstrated that this method could accurately determine PSV settings with 100% accuracy in ex vivo blinded trials. The technique was effective even with a scalp analog simulating different skin thicknesses.ConclusionThis proof-of-concept study suggests that smartphones can be used for PSV assessment. However, further development and validation are needed to refine this method for clinical use. This technology could enhance PSV management accessibility, allowing for remote or at-home evaluations by trained individuals or caregivers, thus improving patient care in underserved areas.Copyright © Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2024. All rights reserved.

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