Flow control method and device
First Claim
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1. A device for controlling flow in an AV graft or AV fistula used for vascular access for an extracorporeal circuit, the device comprising:
- a) a plurality of actuators capable of applying pressure to a vessel unequally and inwardly in more than two different directions, to provide a reduced flow through the AV graft or AV fistula, when flow through the extracorporeal circuit is not to occur; and
b) an adjuster for changing the degree of constriction, to modify the flow through the AV graft or AV fistula, when flow through the extracorporeal circuit is to occur, the adjuster having a receiver, a motor and a transmission;
wherein the plurality of actuators is configured to apply partial constriction over an elongate portion of the vessel, the vessel having a diameter “
D”
in an unconstricted state, the elongate portion being constricted having a length “
L” and
the length “
L”
being at least twice the diameter “
D”
.
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Abstract
An arterio-venous graft 16 is provided with a constriction device 20 near its arterial end. The constriction device 20 is used to reduce the flow through the AV graft under normal conditions and to relieve the constriction when high flow through the AV graft is required, such as for vascular access for hemodialysis.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A device for controlling flow in an AV graft or AV fistula used for vascular access for an extracorporeal circuit, the device comprising:
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a) a plurality of actuators capable of applying pressure to a vessel unequally and inwardly in more than two different directions, to provide a reduced flow through the AV graft or AV fistula, when flow through the extracorporeal circuit is not to occur; and b) an adjuster for changing the degree of constriction, to modify the flow through the AV graft or AV fistula, when flow through the extracorporeal circuit is to occur, the adjuster having a receiver, a motor and a transmission; wherein the plurality of actuators is configured to apply partial constriction over an elongate portion of the vessel, the vessel having a diameter “
D”
in an unconstricted state, the elongate portion being constricted having a length “
L” and
the length “
L”
being at least twice the diameter “
D”
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification