Defit Shunts
Silicone Flat-Bottom Shunt Systems for Safe, Flexible, and Durable CSF Management
In the treatment of hydrocephalus and other disorders involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation, shunt systems remain the most reliable and widely used therapeutic solution. However, the design, material, and pressure regulation capabilities of the shunt device directly influence its long-term effectiveness and patient safety. Addressing these needs, Desu introduces the Defit Shunt Series—a family of high-quality silicone flat-bottom shunts engineered for precision, biocompatibility, and ease of implantation.
The Defit line is available in Ultra Small, Small, and Regular sizes, allowing for tailored treatment in both pediatric and adult patients. With components manufactured to exacting clinical standards and available in standard or semi-antibiotic formats, Defit Shunts combine material excellence with advanced drainage mechanics to meet modern neurosurgical demands.
What Is the Defit Silicone Shunt?
The Defit Shunt is a flat-bottom, silicone-based cerebrospinal fluid diversion system designed to manage excess CSF in the cranial ventricles. Like other shunt systems, it operates by channeling CSF from the ventricular system to the peritoneal cavity. However, Defit Shunts stand out due to their flat reservoir design, flexible configuration options, and robust silicone construction.
Silicone, being both inert and elastic, offers excellent long-term tolerance in the human body. It minimizes the risk of tissue irritation, mechanical fatigue, and chemical interaction with CSF. Combined with a flat-bottomed profile, this allows the shunt to sit smoothly beneath the skin with minimal bulk or pressure on surrounding tissues—an important advantage for both cosmetic and functional outcomes.
What’s Included in a Defit Shunt Kit?
Each Defit Shunt Kit is a ready-to-use solution that includes all the essential components for complete CSF diversion surgery. The standard configuration comprises:
Defit Valve: The core pressure-regulating unit available in Ultra Small or Small variants, constructed from high-grade silicone.
Ventricular Catheter: Internal diameter 1.3 mm, outer diameter 2.5 mm, length 23 cm. Designed for precise insertion into the lateral ventricle.
Peritoneal Catheter: Internal diameter 1.1 mm, outer diameter 2.5 mm, length 120 cm. Made from kink-resistant tubing, optimized for abdominal placement.
Stylet: To facilitate catheter positioning and tunnel creation.
Right-Angled Connector: For seamless connection between valve and catheter systems.
Optional ASD (Antisiphon Device): Protects against gravity-induced overdrainage.
Optional Reservoir: Flat-bottomed design allows for easy subcutaneous positioning and CSF sampling.
These components are engineered to function together seamlessly, providing neurosurgeons with a dependable and straightforward system for ventricular-peritoneal shunting.
Pressure Level Options
Each Defit Shunt Kit is a ready-to-use solution that includes all the essential components for complete CSF diversion surgery. The standard configuration comprises:
Defit Valve: The core pressure-regulating unit available in Ultra Small or Small variants, constructed from high-grade silicone.
Ventricular Catheter: Internal diameter 1.3 mm, outer diameter 2.5 mm, length 23 cm. Designed for precise insertion into the lateral ventricle.
Peritoneal Catheter: Internal diameter 1.1 mm, outer diameter 2.5 mm, length 120 cm. Made from kink-resistant tubing, optimized for abdominal placement.
Stylet: To facilitate catheter positioning and tunnel creation.
Right-Angled Connector: For seamless connection between valve and catheter systems.
Optional ASD (Antisiphon Device): Protects against gravity-induced overdrainage.
Optional Reservoir: Flat-bottomed design allows for easy subcutaneous positioning and CSF sampling.
These components are engineered to function together seamlessly, providing neurosurgeons with a dependable and straightforward system for ventricular-peritoneal shunting.
Ultra Small and Small Shunt Options
The Ultra Small Defit Shunt is optimized for neonates and infants, where anatomical constraints demand minimal device bulk. Its reduced size ensures less tension on tissues and greater surgical precision in extremely small patients. It also decreases the risk of pressure points under thin pediatric skin.
The Small Defit Shunt, on the other hand, is well-suited for older children and small-stature adults. It offers a balanced compromise between flow control and implant footprint, maintaining high efficiency while minimizing surgical disruption.
Semi Antibiotic Defit Shunt Kits
Infection remains one of the most serious complications in shunt-based hydrocephalus treatment. To combat this risk, Desu offers Semi Antibiotic Defit Shunt Kits. These kits feature peritoneal and ventricular catheters impregnated with antimicrobial agents that inhibit bacterial growth along the implant surface.
Antibiotic-treated shunt systems are especially recommended for:
Neonates and young children, where immune systems are still developing.
Patients with previous shunt infections or surgical complications.
Immunocompromised individuals with increased susceptibility to infection.
The semi antibiotic variants maintain the same mechanical and drainage performance as the standard kits, but with an added safety layer that improves long-term outcomes and reduces the need for revision surgeries.
Technical Excellence and Biocompatibility
Every component in the Defit Shunt system is manufactured using biocompatible, medical-grade materials. The silicone valve housing is flexible, durable, and inert, providing a safe environment for long-term CSF contact. The catheters are equally engineered to resist kinking, biofilm formation, and obstruction—three of the most common causes of shunt failure.
The flat-bottom reservoir shape is a particularly thoughtful design feature. It allows for stable subcutaneous placement, improves palpability during follow-up visits, and simplifies reservoir tapping. The geometry also reduces protrusion through the skin, improving aesthetic outcomes and lowering the risk of pressure necrosis.
ASD Integration for Overdrainage Prevention
Shunt systems are highly sensitive to gravitational forces. In upright positions, such as sitting or standing, gravity can lead to excessive CSF outflow and cause complications like subdural hematomas or slit ventricle syndrome. To mitigate this risk, Desu offers an optional Antisiphon Device (ASD) with each Defit Shunt Kit.
The ASD ensures consistent pressure control by preventing siphoning effects, especially in ambulatory or pediatric patients. Its inclusion offers peace of mind and improves post-operative quality of life.
Indications and Clinical Use
The Defit Shunt series is suitable for a broad range of hydrocephalus types and CSF imbalance conditions, including:
Congenital or pediatric hydrocephalus
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in elderly patients
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)
Post-traumatic CSF accumulation
Tumor-related ventricular obstruction
Its size range and component compatibility also make it ideal for revision surgeries, especially when anatomical challenges limit standard shunt placement.
Safety, Simplicity, and Efficiency
Desu has ensured that the Defit Shunt system is not only effective, but also easy to use. The kits are pre-packed, sterile, and clearly labeled, reducing procedural preparation time and the chance of component mismatch. The standardized dimensions make the system compatible with Desu’s broader product line, improving inventory efficiency for hospitals and distributors.
By offering a system that combines mechanical dependability, material biocompatibility, and procedural simplicity, Desu supports surgeons in delivering safer and more predictable hydrocephalus care.
With the Defit Silicone Flat-Bottom Shunt Series, Desu brings together material excellence, engineering precision, and clinical versatility in a complete CSF management solution. Available in ultra small and small sizes, with both standard and semi antibiotic options, Defit Shunts are designed to meet the real-world needs of today’s neurosurgical teams.
From neonatal care to adult hydrocephalus, from routine implantation to complex revision surgeries, the Defit system offers safety, simplicity, and superior performance. In a field where every millimeter and every pressure point matters, Desu delivers a solution you can trust—designed with patients in mind, and built for lasting success.
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