Prosthetic renal valve

摘要

Apparatus and methods are described including a valve (34) that includes valve leaflets (33) and a non-branched valve frame (31) configured to support the valve leaflets, the frame defining a single longitudinal axis thereof, the longitudinal axis being a generally straight line along a full length of the frame. The valve (34) is placed at least partially within a renal vein of a subject. The valve defines an open state thereof in which the valve leaflets (33) allow generally unimpeded antegrade blood flow therethrough, and a closed state thereof in which the valve leaflets (33), in a passive manner, reduce venous pressure within the renal vein relative to central venous pressure of the subject. Other applications are also described.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
identifying a subject as suffering from a condition that causes the subject to have elevated renal venous pressure even in an absence of a condition that causes renal venous pressure of the subject to be elevated due to pressure being exerted on the subject's renal vein through walls of the subject's renal vein from a location outside the renal vein; and in response thereto, reducing blood pressure within a renal vein of the subject relative to the subject's central venous pressure, by placing a device at least partially within the subject's renal vein, the device being configured, in a passive manner, to reduce venous pressure within the subject's renal vein relative to central venous pressure of the subject.