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Device and method for establishing an artificial arterio-venous fistula

  • US 9,468,441 B2
  • Filed: 10/31/2011
  • Issued: 10/18/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A device for establishing and maintaining an arterio-venous fistula between a pair of adjacent blood vessels, comprising:

  • a proximal clinch section defined by a plurality of proximal clinch members each defined by a proximal terminus and an arcuately extending tip; and

    a distal clinch section defined by a plurality of distal clinch members each defined by a proximal terminus and an arcuately extending tip, where the distal clinch members and proximal clinch members are arranged with the proximal terminus of each clinch member disposed toward a center of the device and the tips pointing generally outwardly from the device,wherein the distal clinch members are joined at their proximal terminus to the proximal terminus of corresponding proximal clinch members and the proximal clinch members are arranged relative to each other and fixed to each other near the proximal terminus of each other, and the distal clinch members are arranged relative to each other and fixed to each other near the proximal terminus of each other,wherein the device is characterized by a transverse centerline corresponding to the direct connection between the proximal clinch members and the distal clinch members and an axial centerline perpendicular to the transverse centerline and established by the arranged clinch members,wherein the proximal clinch members are resiliently biased to curve radially outward and evert toward the transverse centerline of the device and a first distal clinch member of the plurality of distal clinch members is biased to curve radially outward and evert toward the transverse center of the device to a position opposite a first proximal clinch member of the plurality of proximal clinch members, wherein the arcuately extending tip of the first proximal clinch member and the arcuately extending tip of the first distal clinch member are apposed to one another along the transverse centerline,wherein the proximal clinch members and distal clinch members are resiliently biased to curve radially outward from the center of the device;

    a first pair of tension members having opposing tips which form an atraumatic bearing surface and which are biased to curve radially outward away from the axial centerline in opposing directions without everting; and

    ,a second pair of tension members extending in a direction opposite to the first pair of tension members and having opposing tips which form an atraumatic bearing surface and which are biased to curve radially outward from the axial centerline in opposing directions without everting,wherein a segment at each of the tips of the first pair of tension members and the second pair of tension members extends away from and then towards the axial centerline to form the atraumatic bearing surfaces.

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