Device and method for establishing an artificial arterio-venous fistula

A method for implanting an intravascular connector, comprising:

• advancing an intravascular connector through a first vessel, the intravascular connector having a first pair of clinch members comprising a first member and an apposed second member and a second pair of clinch members opposite from the first pair of clinch members and also comprising a first member and an apposed second member;
• introducing the second member of the first pair and the first member of the second pair into a second vessel from the first vessel;
• visualizing a position of the second member of the first pair for deflection against a tissue wall of the second vessel by gauging an amount of deflection of the second member of the first pair via an imaging modality relative to the tissue wall of the second vessel to determine suitable positioning of the connector relative to the second vessel;
• deploying the first member of the second pair such that the first member of the second pair swings from a distal position to a proximal position against the tissue wall of the second vessel;
• and
• deploying the first member of the first pair and the second member of the second pair into contact against an inner wall of the first vessel such that the first vessel and second vessel are in fluid communication with one another.