Systems and methods for percutaneous access and formation of arteriovenous fistulas

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first tissue weld member having a first contact surface configured to contact a surface of a first tissue wall, the first tissue weld member including an electrical conductor beneath the first contact surface;
• a tubular member coupled to the first tissue weld member, the tubular member configured to operatively couple the electrical conductor to a power supply;
• and
• a second tissue weld member having a second contact surface configured to contact a surface of a second tissue wall, the second contact surface configured to be aligned with the first contact surface to position the surface of the first tissue wall and the surface of the second tissue wall between the first contact surface and the second contact surface such that when a current is conveyed from the power supply to the electrical conductor, the first tissue wall and the second tissue wall are welded together.

A method, comprising:

• advancing a tubular member within a first blood vessel, a first tissue weld member coupled to an end portion of the tubular member;
• moving a second tissue weld member within a second blood vessel to align a first contact surface of the first weld member with a second contact surface of the second member such that a portion of the first blood vessel and a portion of the second blood vessel are between the first contact surface and the second contact surface;
• compressing the portion of the first blood vessel and the portion of the second blood vessel between the first contact surface and the second contact surface;
• and
• conveying a current to the first weld member to cause a heat flow between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the heat flow sufficient to weld the first blood vessel and the second blood vessel together.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first tissue weld member having a first contact surface and a weld element;
• a tubular assembly coupled to the first tissue weld member, the tubular assembly configured to move the first tissue weld member within a first bodily vessel, the tubular assembly configured to couple the electrical conductor to a power supply;
• and
• a second tissue weld member having a second contact surface, the second tissue weld member configured to be moved within a second bodily vessel to move the second contact surface relative to the first contact surface to compress a first vessel wall of the first bodily vessel and a second vessel wall of the second bodily vessel between the first contact surface and the second contact surface such that when a current is conveyed from the power supply to the weld element, the first vessel wall and the second vessel wall are welded together.