Dialysis valve and method

• US 20050038396A1
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interrad Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Interrad Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Rosenberg, Michael S., Claude, Timothy J., Hunter, David W., Barlow, Edward A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,540,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/246
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3655 Arterio-venous shunts or fistulae
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/228 with a tubular diaphragm constrictable by radial fluid force

Abstract

A dialysis valve includes a tube attached between an artery and a vein which, when elongated, simultaneously narrows in diameter at at least one location. The narrowed portion of the tube decreases the volume and velocity between the arterial and venous side of the patient to prevent damage or intimal hyperplasia on the venous side between dialysis treatments. When the valve is opened for dialysis, an unrestricted blood flow exists between the arterial and venous side, permitting a controlled, open blood flow during dialysis.

Claims

1. A method of controlling blood flow between and during dialysis treatments, comprising:

a. implanting a tube between a patient'"'"'s vein and an artery, the tube capable of containing fluids and defining a longitudinal dimension, a diameter and an inner surface;

b. narrowing the diameter of the tube in an adjustable manner between dialysis treatments at at least one location along the longitudinal dimension; and

c. opening the diameter of the tube during dialysis.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the tube comprises a braided nitinol structure processed to exhibit superelasticity below normal human body temperature coated with an elastomer allowing the tube to be repeatedly altered in longitudinal dimension and in diameter and still maintain fluid containing capability.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the inner surface of the tube at the narrowed location is in a substantially circular configuration.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the tube is substantially smooth.

5. A dialysis valve, comprising:

a. a tube capable of containing fluids and defining a longitudinal dimension, a diameter and an inner surface; and

b. a bellows capable of being held at varying lengths, the bellows defining an interior chamber wherein the tube is mounted in the chamber so that when the bellows adjustably increases in length, the tube simultaneously increases in longitudinal dimension and at least a portion of the tube decreases in diameter.

6. The dialysis valve of claim 5 wherein the tube comprises a braided nitinol structure processed to exhibit superelasticity below normal human body temperature coated with an elastomer allowing the tube to be repeatedly altered in longitudinal dimension and in diameter and still maintain fluid containing capability.

7. The dialysis valve of claim 6 wherein the inner surface of the tube is further coated with an anti-thrombogenic coating.

8. The dialysis valve of claim 5 further comprising at least the decreased diameter portion of the tube having a substantially circular configuration.

9. The dialysis valve of claim 5 wherein the inner surface of the tube is substantially smooth.

10. The dialysis valve of claim 5 wherein the bellows is double walled so as to define an inner wall space;

a hydraulic line is in fluid connection with the inner wall space so when a pressurized fluid is pumped into the inner wall space, the bellows increases in length, simultaneously increasing the longitudinal dimension of the tube.

11. The dialysis valve of claim 10 wherein the bellows is contained in a housing.

12. The dialysis valve of claim 11 wherein a port is attached to the housing, a resealable membrane covers the port and the port is in fluid communication with the hydraulic line.

13. A dialysis valve, comprising:

a. a tube capable of containing fluids and defining a longitudinal dimension, a diameter and an inner surface; and

b. a balloon adjustably capable of varying degrees of inflation contacting the tube so that when the balloon is inflated at least a portion of the tube decreases in diameter.

14. The dialysis valve of claim 13 wherein the tube comprises a braided nitinol structure processed to exhibit superelasticity below normal human body temperature coated with an elastomer allowing the tube to be repeatedly altered in longitudinal dimension and in diameter and still maintain fluid containing capability.

15. The dialysis valve of claim 14 wherein the inner surface of the tube is further coated with an anti-thrombogenic coating.

16. The dialysis valve of claim 13 further comprising at least the decreased diameter portion of the tube having a substantially circular configuration.

17. The dialysis valve of claim 13 wherein the inner surface of the tube is substantially smooth.

18. The dialysis valve of claim 13 wherein the balloon surrounds the tube.

19. The dialysis valve of claim 18 wherein inflating the balloon simultaneously causes at least a portion of the tube to decrease in diameter

20. The dialysis valve of claim 13 wherein the bellows is contained in a housing.

21. The dialysis valve of claim 20 wherein a port is attached to the housing, a resealable membrane covers the port, the port is in fluid communication with the hydraulic line and the hydraulic line in fluid communication with the balloon.

22. A valve, comprising:

a. a tube capable of containing fluids and defining a longitudinal dimension, a diameter and an inner surface; and

b. a nitinol spring adjustably attached to each end of the tube so that when the spring is actuated the tube decreases in longitudinal dimension and the tube increases in diameter.

23. The valve of claim 22 wherein the tube comprises a braided nitinol structure processed to exhibit superelasticity below normal human body temperature coated with an elastomer allowing the tube to be repeatedly altered in longitudinal dimension and in diameter and still maintain fluid containing capability.

24. The valve of claim 23 wherein the inner surface of the tube is further coated with an anti-thrombogenic coating.

25. The valve of claim 23 further comprising at least the decreased diameter portion of the tube having a substantially circular configuration.

26. The valve of claim 25 wherein the inner surface of the tube is substantially smooth.

27. The valve of claim 22 further comprising the nitinol spring being in electrical connection with a controller.