Function-enhanced thrombolytic AV fistula and method
First Claim
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1. A method for enhancing the function of an AV fistula comprising:
- selecting an endoluminal prosthesis comprising a coiled body and a graft material at least partly covering the coiled body to create a coiled stent graft with generally helically-extending turns, said turns having an average width;
said selecting step comprising choosing an endoluminal prosthesis carrying a thrombolytic agent; and
placing the stent graft within an AV fistula and optionally within at least one blood vessel to which the AV fistula is connected, said thrombolytic agent helping to reduce any thrombosis associated with the stent graft.
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Abstract
A coiled stent graft (10), including a thrombolytic agent, is positionable within an AV fistula (4) and optionally into one or both of the artery (9) and the vein (6) to help reduce or eliminate blockages within the blood vessel at the junction (8) between the AV fistula and the blood vessel.
60 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing the function of an AV fistula comprising:
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selecting an endoluminal prosthesis comprising a coiled body and a graft material at least partly covering the coiled body to create a coiled stent graft with generally helically-extending turns, said turns having an average width;
said selecting step comprising choosing an endoluminal prosthesis carrying a thrombolytic agent; and
placing the stent graft within an AV fistula and optionally within at least one blood vessel to which the AV fistula is connected, said thrombolytic agent helping to reduce any thrombosis associated with the stent graft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for enhancing the function of an AV fistula comprising:
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selecting an endoluminal prosthesis comprising a coiled body, a graft material at least partly covering the coiled body and a thrombolytic agent carried by at least one of the coiled body and the graft material, so to create a coiled stent graft with generally helically-extending turns;
placing the stent graft within an AV fistula and an associated vein so the stent graft extends across the junction between the AV fistula and the vein, said thrombolytic agent helping to reduce any thrombosis associated with the stent graft;
the selecting and placing steps being carried out so that the turns of the stent graft at the junction are separated by a gap so to not block fluid flow along the vein.
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19. A thrombolytic AV fistula assembly comprising:
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an artificial AV fistula comprising a tubular body having a venous end and an arterial end;
a coiled stent graft comprising a coiled body, a graft material at least partially covering the coiled body, and a thrombolytic agent carried by at least one of the coiled body and the graft material;
the coiled stent graft having generally helically-extending turns, said turns having edges; and
the stent graft housable at least partially within the AV fistula at at least one of venous and arterial ends, said thrombolytic agent helping to reduce any thrombosis associated with the stent graft. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A thrombolytic AV fistula assembly comprising:
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an artificial AV fistula comprising a tubular body having a venous end and an arterial end;
a coiled stent graft comprising a coiled body, a graft material at least partially covering the coiled body, and a thrombolytic agent carried by at least one of the coiled body and the graft material, the turns of the coiled stent graft being generally helically-extending and spaced-apart by gaps;
the lengths of the gaps varying by more than 100%; and
the stent graft housable partially within the AV fistula and extending past at least one of the venous and arterial ends, said thrombolytic agent helping to reduce any thrombosis associated with the stent graft.
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Specification