System and method to increase the overall diameter of veins
AssigneeFlow Forward Medical, Inc.
InventorF. Nicholas Franano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and wall shear stress (WSS) in a peripheral vein for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the vein is provided. The method includes pumping blood at a desired rate and pulsatility. The pumping is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed, WSS and pulsatility in the peripheral vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of dilation of the peripheral vein.
Claims21
A method for creating an arteriovenous fistula or an arteriovenous graft in a human patient, the method comprising:
- fluidly connecting one end of a pump-conduit assembly to a donating vein;
- fluidly connecting another end of the pump-conduit assembly to an accepting vein;
- pumping deoxygenated blood from the donating vein into the accepting vein;
- pumping deoxygenated blood from the donating vein into the accepting vein for a period of time sufficient to result in a persistent increase in an overall diameter of the accepting vein, wherein a mean pulse pressure in a conduit fluidly connected to the accepting vein is less than 20 mmHg;
- and,
- creating the arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft in the patient using at least a portion of the accepting vein with the overall diameter that is persistently increased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.