Methods and Compositions for Enhancing Vascular Access
First Claim
1. A method for treating a vascular access structure in a patient, the method comprising the step of locating at, adjacent or in the vicinity of the vascular access structure in said patient an implantable material comprising cells and a biocompatible matrix, wherein the implantable material is effective to promote functionality of said structure.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape-retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot. The materials and methods of the present invention comprise cells, preferably endothelial cells or cells having an endothelial-like phenotype.
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Citations
62 Claims
- 1. A method for treating a vascular access structure in a patient, the method comprising the step of locating at, adjacent or in the vicinity of the vascular access structure in said patient an implantable material comprising cells and a biocompatible matrix, wherein the implantable material is effective to promote functionality of said structure.
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16-22. -22. (canceled)
- 23. A method for enhancing maturation of an arteriovenous fistula in a human, the method comprising the step of locating at, adjacent or in the vicinity of the fistula an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells wherein the implantable material is effective to enhance maturation of the fistula.
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30-46. -46. (canceled)
- 47. A method of maintaining a blood flow rate of an arteriovenous graft, the method comprising the step of providing an implantable material comprising cells and a biocompatible matrix wherein said implantable material is disposed on an exterior surface of said arteriovenous graft at, adjacent or in the vicinity of a prosthetic bridge of a venous outflow region of said arteriovenous graft in an amount effective to maintain blood flow rate of the graft.
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49-53. -53. (canceled)
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54. A method of preventing or reducing the incidence of dehiscence of an arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft, the method comprising the step of providing an implantable material comprising cells and a biocompatible matrix wherein said implantable material is disposed on an exterior surface of said fistula or arteriovenous graft at, adjacent or in the vicinity of a prosthetic bridge of a venous outflow region of said arteriovenous graft in an amount effective to prevent or reduce the incidence of dehiscence.
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56-57. -57. (canceled)
- 58. A method of maintaining a blood pressure of an arteriovenous graft sufficient to permit dialysis, the method comprising the step of providing an implantable material comprising cells and a biocompatible matrix wherein said implantable material is disposed on an exterior surface of said arteriovenous graft at, adjacent or in the vicinity of a prosthetic bridge of a venous outflow region of said arteriovenous graft in an amount effective to maintain blood pressure sufficient to permit dialysis.
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62-70. -70. (canceled)
Specification