HEMODIALYSIS VEIN PREPARATION APPARATUS AND METHODS

• US 20090234261A1
• Filed: 03/17/2008
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tej M. Singh
• Original Assignee: Tej M. Singh
• Inventors: Singh, Tej M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,231,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1325 with means for applying local pressure pressure pads A61F5/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0078 power-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0014 cylinder-like, i.e. rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3655 Arterio-venous shunts or fistulae
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/00 Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies instruments for performing visual medical inspections of cavities or tubes of the body A61B1/00

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for applying focused pressure to a target vessel to dilate the target vessel for hemodialysis.

Claims

1. A method for dilating a target vein of a patient being treated for hemodialysis comprises securing a device to a limb of a patient being treating for hemodialysis, the limb being where the target vein, which is suitable for hemodialysis, resides and with the device applying an effective amount of pressure intermittently to the target vein while allowing the patient to be ambulatory and for an effective amount of time to dilate the vein to a size suitable to provide access for hemodialysis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device that is secured to the limb of the patient that includes a compression member that extends in a substantially straight direction along at least a portion of the length of a limb of the patient to effectively dilate the target vein, wherein the compression member has a width of 1-2 cm.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the device that is secured to the limb of the patient that includes a compression member that moves along a substantially straight path that extends along at least a portion of a limb of the patient to dilate the target vein, wherein the compression member has a width of 1-2 cm.

4. The method of claim 1 further including applying heat in the vicinity of the target vein while the pressure is applied.

5. The method of claim 4 further including applying a topical vessel dilating agent to the patient'"'"'s limb in the vicinity of the target vein.

6. A method for dilating a vein of a patient being treated for hemodialysis comprising:

applying intermittent pressure to a target vein, which is to be accessed for hemodialysis, with a device that is secured to a limb of a patient being treated for hemodialysis and includes a compression member that exerts intermittent pressure on a substantially straight external surface portion of the patient'"'"'s limb to which it is secured so as to dilate the target vein, which is suitable for hemodialysis and is beneath the external surface portion;

wherein the compression member has a width of 1-2 cm and does not encircle the patient'"'"'s limb when secured thereto.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the compression member width is 1.5 cm.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the compression member is inflated to exert sufficient pressure on the patient'"'"'s skin above the target vein to occlude the target vein.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the compression member is inflated for about 5 seconds and then deflated for a predetermined period of time and this cycle repeated.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the device is used to apply pressure to the vein prior to hemodialysis treatment.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the device is used to apply pressure to the vein between hemodialysis treatments, which access the vein.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the device is subsequently used to apply pressure to a different vascular site suitable for hemodialysis to dilate the different vascular site so that it can be used for hemodialysis.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein the pressure is applied progressively over a length of the target vein.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the pressure is applied over the cephalic vein.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein the pressure is applied over the upper cephalic vein.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein the pressure is applied over the basilic vein.

17. Vessel dilation apparatus for dilating a target vein of a patient being treated for hemodialysis comprising:

a support adapted to be secured to a limb of the patient;

a compression member that is coupled to said member, said compression member configured to apply pressure along a substantially straight path extending along at least a portion of the length of said limb without encircling the limb when said support is secured to said limb to dilate the target vein,

wherein the compression member has a width of 1-2 cm.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the compression member comprises at least one inflatable cell.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said compression member is movably mounted in said support along a substantially straight path.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the compression member is rotatably mounted to said support.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 further including first and second expandable members, each extending adjacent to said substantially straight path, which extends between said first and second expandable members.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 further including a rigid casing that surrounds a portion of said compression member and forms at least a portion of said support.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said casing has a recess in which said compression member resides.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 further including a substantially straight track in said casing, said compression member being movably mounted in said track.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said track has a length of at least 5 cm.

26. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said compression member has a length of at least 5 cm.

27. The apparatus of claim 17 further including first and second flexible strap members extending from said support and sized to surround the patient'"'"'s limb, said strap members being securable to one another.