Founded in 1976, SOPHYSA was the pioneer in the development of adjustable neurosurgical valves to treat hydrocephalus. Introduced in 1984, the Sophy® valve was the first adjustable valve in the World allowing non-invasive adjustment of operating pressures, to match an individual patient's changing clinical needs.
Acquired in 1989 by the Japanese tkb Group, SOPHYSA expanded quickly in France, and abroad, gaining global recognition in the field of Neurosurgery.
In 2004, SOPHYSA launched the Polaris® valve, the first adjustable valve with a lock, specifically designed to resist unintentional changes in operating pressure – a milestone in adjustable valve safety. Polaris® offers the patient an unequalled security against the clinical risks associated with those dysadjustments.
In 2005, SOPHYSA introduced Pressio®,a user-friendly Intra-Cranial Pressure monitoring system for neurosurgery and neurotrauma, bringing the continuous intracranial pressure monitoring to a new level of performance and ease of use.
As a neurosurgery specialist, SOPHYSA manufactures and markets a wide range of neurosurgical implants for the treatment of hydrocephalus, including various types of valves, catheters, reservoirs and accessories, a range of ICP sensors and external drainage systems, as well as subcutaneous spinal access ports.
SOPHYSA markets its products worldwide through an international network of exclusive distributors. In France and Benelux, SOPHYSA products are marketed by direct sales representatives.
The Pulsar® valve is a monopressure valve for cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Its principle is based on the play of a silicone membrane, calibrated in low, medium or high pressure, ensuring a proximal regulation of the CSF flow through the shunt system.
The Pulsar® valve has an anti-reflux system, offers the possibility to test the shunt patency and gives access to CSF.
Cross section view of the valve mechanism
Direct x-ray identification of the operating pressure is possible thanks to radiopaque dots on the valve.
xx = 12 or 16 mm, depending on the size selected.
The Adjustable Sophy® Mini valve is a high-precision device of unparalleled simplicity.
The principle of the Sophy® valve resides in the variation in pressure exerted on a ball by a semi-circular spring at various points along its circumference. The spring is attached to a magnetic rotor which position can be non-invasively changed using an adjustment magnet. A series of indentations allows a variety of positions to be selected, each position representing a different pressure setting.
The Sophy® Mini Monopressure valve (SM1) is a low-profile high precision ball-in-cone valve. It has the small size, the shape of the Sophysa Adjustable Valves and is made of the same material.
Direct x-ray identification of the operating pressure is possible thanks to radiopaque dots on the valve.
The Sophy® Mini SM1 can be associated with SiphonX®, an anti-siphon device, which adds 200 mmH 2O in vertical position.