CATHETER APPARATUS AND METHODOLOGY FOR GENERATING A FISTULA ON-DEMAND BETWEEN CLOSELY ASSOCIATED BLOOD VESSELS AT A PRE-CHOSEN ANATOMIC SITE IN-VIVO

摘要

The present invention provides catheter apparatus (10, 200) and catheterization methodology for generating an arteriovenous fistula or a veno-venous fistula on demand between closely associated blood vessels and at a chosen anatomic site in vivo. The catheter apparatus is preferably employed in pairs, each catheter of the pair being suitable for percutaneous introduction into and extension through a blood vessel. The catheterization methodology employs the catheter apparatus preferably in conjunction with conventional radiological techniques in order to place, verify, and confirm a proper alignment, orientation, and positioning for the catheters in vivo prior to activating the perforation means for generating a fistula. The invention permits the generation of arteriovenous fistulae and veno-venous fistulae anatomically anywhere in the vascular system of a patient; nevertheless, the invention is most desirably employed in the peripheral vascular system as exists in the extremities of the body to aid in the treatment of the patient under a variety of different medical ailments and pathologies.