Transvascular access methods

• US 9,623,217 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2013
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vascular Access Technologies, Inc (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vascular Access Technologies, Inc (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pillai, Lakshmikumar
• Primary Examiner(s): STIGELL, THEODORE J
• Application Number:
  US13/904,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20130324901A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1139 Side-to-side connections, e.g. shunt or X-connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3653 Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3655 Arterio-venous shunts or fistulae
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3659 Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices

Abstract

Various methods employing transvascular access devices are described, including a method of placing a central catheter in a peripheral vein in an arm of a patient; a method of providing percutaneous access to the heart of a patient; a method of clearing a clotted arteriovenous dialysis graft; a method of creating multiple access points into a single blood vessel; a method of creating an AV fistula in a patient; and a method of providing a bypass to a blockage in a popliteal artery in a patient.

Claims

1. A method of providing a bypass to a blockage in a popliteal artery in a patient, the method comprising:

inserting a first access device into the patient'"'"'s femoral artery at a first entry point, the first access device comprising a vascular catheter;

advancing a distal end of the first access device vascular catheter to a first exit point upstream of the blockage;

advancing a puncture tool from the distal end of the first access device vascular catheter through arterial wall and skin at the first exit point;

inserting a second access device into the patient'"'"'s tibial artery at a second entry point, the second access device comprising a vascular catheter;

advancing a distal end of the second access device vascular catheter to a second exit point downstream of the blockage;

advancing a puncture tool from the distal end of the second access device vascular catheter through arterial wall and skin at the second exit point;

forming a subcutaneous tunnel between the first exit point and the second exit point;

extending a guidewire between the first entry point and the second entry point; and

delivering a bypass graft along the guidewire to extend through the subcutaneous tunnel between the first exit point and the second exit point.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising making an incision through the patient'"'"'s skin at the first exit point prior to the step of advancing the puncture tool from the distal end of the first access device vascular catheter through the arterial wall at the first exit point.