Method for the percutaneous creation of an arteriovenous fistula (avf)
AssigneeStenk Tek Limited
InventorsRobert DICKINSON, Sorin POPA
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Abstract
This document relates to the apparatus and methods used in the minimally invasive creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In particular, the invention relates to the creation of an AVF using catheters and an alignment methodology that is based upon detection of asymmetric electric fields. The invention finds particular application in vascular access (VA) in the hemodialysis (HD) population.
Claims46
A method for improving venous access in a patient in need thereof by creating a fistula between a first vessel and a second vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting, via a percutaneous route, a first device into the first vessel, wherein the first device comprises a catheter that comprises a directional signal source, and wherein the first device further comprises a penetrating element that is capable of being advanced radially outwardly from the first device, the direction of advancement of the penetrating element being aligned to a directional signal produced by the directional signal source;
- b) inserting, via a percutaneous route, a second device into the second vessel, wherein the second device comprises a sensor, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting a directional signal;
- c) generating a directional signal and aligning the first and second devices relative to each other such that penetrating element is advanced radially from the first vessel towards the second vessel, thereby forming a channel enabling fluid communication between the first and second vessels;
- and
- d) enlarging the channel to form a fistula.
A method of connecting two adjacent vessels within the body of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) introducing a first source device into a first vessel, the first device comprising at least one signal electrode for generating an asymmetric electric field;
- b) introducing a second sensing device into a second vessel, the second device comprising at least one detector for detecting the asymmetric electric field;
- c) aligning the first and second device relative to each other based on the electric field generated by the first device that is detected by the detector on the second device;
- d) forming a conduit between the first vessel and the second vessel;
- and
- e) removing the first and second devices to leave the first and second vessels connected via the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.