I have NPH and actively researched clinical trials for the E-shunt, as opposed to the VP shunt, which has been around for 70+ years. This procedure is done though the blood vessels, less invasive and quicker recovery, and the shunts are tiny. They're being done through Cerevasc and there are 14 trials going on right now. They're in the second phase of development right now.
There's different criteria to be approved for each trial. I was pretty aggressive in researching this method. I looked at Rochester, NY and California.
I ran into a couple of issues. Mainly regarding Follow up and travel costs. There's no reimbursement for travel, food, lodging, etc. Some give you a stipend. But I live in Colorado and there's no trials being done here. Costs for all the testing for pre-screening is split between your insurance and the study. You need a referral from your PCP.
I was mainly concerned with if there was a problem with the E-shunt, post-op there would be no one in CO familiar with it.
The research is very exciting, but right now the VP shunt is the gold standard. But while the E-shunt study sounds very exciting, I think it's a few years away from being adopted nationally.