CATHETER SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING ADJACENT BLOOD VESSELS
First Claim
1. A catheter system for piercing a first wall of a first blood vessel, defined by a first vessel wall and having a first diameter, and a second wall of a second blood vessel to create a fistula between the blood vessels, the system comprising:
- a first catheter having an outer surface and a distal end insertable to a position wherein the distal end is adjacent to a site within the first blood vessel for creating the fistula;
a resizable portion for stabilizing the first catheter within the first blood vessel, the resizable portion disposed on the outer surface so that a first arc of the outer surface is unobstructed by the resizable portion, the resizable portion being manipulable between a nominal configuration and an active configuration, the nominal configuration having a diameter less than the first diameter, and the active configuration having a diameter substantially equal to the first diameter; and
a piercing tool for creating the fistula, the piercing tool disposed adjacent the distal end of the catheter and extendable through the first arc of the outer surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for assisting in creating a fistula between a first blood vessel having a first diameter and a second blood vessel. The apparatus includes a catheter with a resizable portion disposed near the distal end of the catheter. The catheter is traversed through the first vessel to a position adjacent to a location intended for a fistula connecting the first vessel to the second vessel. The resizable portion in a nominal configuration has a diameter which is less than the first diameter, allowing traversal through the first vessel. The resizable portion is manipulable to an active configuration having a diameter substantially equal to the first diameter, stabilizing the catheter within the first vessel. The resizable portion may be at least partially radiopaque, and may cover all but a free arc of the outer surface, allowing an unobstructed path for a piercing tool to pass.
140 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A catheter system for piercing a first wall of a first blood vessel, defined by a first vessel wall and having a first diameter, and a second wall of a second blood vessel to create a fistula between the blood vessels, the system comprising:
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a first catheter having an outer surface and a distal end insertable to a position wherein the distal end is adjacent to a site within the first blood vessel for creating the fistula;
a resizable portion for stabilizing the first catheter within the first blood vessel, the resizable portion disposed on the outer surface so that a first arc of the outer surface is unobstructed by the resizable portion, the resizable portion being manipulable between a nominal configuration and an active configuration, the nominal configuration having a diameter less than the first diameter, and the active configuration having a diameter substantially equal to the first diameter; and
a piercing tool for creating the fistula, the piercing tool disposed adjacent the distal end of the catheter and extendable through the first arc of the outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A catheter system for piercing a first wall of a first blood vessel, defined by a first vessel wall and having a first diameter, and a second wall of a second blood vessel to create a fistula between the blood vessels, the system comprising:
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a first catheter having an outer surface, a first lumen, a distal end insertable to a position wherein the distal end is adjacent to a site within the first blood vessel for creating the fistula, and including;
a resizable portion for stabilizing the first catheter within the first blood vessel, the resizable portion disposed on the outer surface so that a first arc of the outer surface is unobstructed by the resizable portion, the resizable portion being manipulable between a nominal configuration and an active configuration, the nominal configuration having a diameter less than the first diameter, and the active configuration having a diameter substantially equal to the first diameter; and
a piercing tool for creating the fistula, the piercing tool disposed adjacent the distal end of the catheter and extendable through the first arc of the outer surface; and
a second catheter having a distal end insertable to a position wherein the distal end is adjacent to a site within the second blood vessel for the fistula, the second catheter including adjacent to the distal end a receptor having a distal opening, proximal end, and a guide surface disposed between the distal opening and the proximal end; and
one or more magnets disposed on at least one of the catheters to draw the piercing tool along the guide surface of the receptor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification