Valves and Conduits for Vascular Access

• US 20080281249A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Original Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Inventors: Gertner, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/930,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20080281249A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/6.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/24 Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3655 Arterio-venous shunts or fistulae

Abstract

A dialysis fistula graft comprising a valve mechanism with a valve member which is substantially flush with blood flowing in a blood vessel in the closed configuration and allows for blood flow into the fistula graft when the valve member is in the open position. In one embodiment, a subcutaneous access to the valve is provided in which the valve can be opened or closed by applying force through the skin of a patient.

Claims

1. An accessory for a hemodialysis access graft comprising:

A patch of hemocompatible material with a hole for blood flow into the hemodialysis access graft;

A valve mechanism comprising an open configuration and a closed configuration wherein the closed configuration is configured to deliver a valve member which substantially covers said hole;

and wherein, in the open position, the valve member pulls away from the patch such that blood can flow through the hole.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said valve member is substantially flush with said patch when in the closed configuration.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said valve member extends beyond said patch when in the closed position.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said valve member comprises a material which inhibits endothelial growth.

5. A method of hemodialysis comprising:

implanting the patch of claim 1 on an artery and the patch of claim 1 on a vein wherein a conduit does not connect the artery and the vein;

performing hemodialysis treatment on a patient wherein during the hemodialysis treatment, all blood flows from the artery, into a dialyzng machine and then into the vein without direct shunting between the artery and the vein.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said subcutaneous actuator comprises a lever and gear teeth and wherein the valve is progressively opened by force applied to the lever and gear through the skin.

6. A hemodialysis system comprising:

a hemodialysis access graft comprising a valve at either or both the arterial or venous anastomosis;

a connection between the valve and a subcutaneous actuator wherein the subcutaneous actuator is actuated through force applied through the skin and to the actuator to initiate actuation of the valves.