DEVICES AND METHODS FOR FORMING VASCULAR ACCESS

摘要

The invention generally relates to catheter systems and methods for guided formation of vascular access sites (such as fistulas and grafts). According to certain aspects, a catheter system for forming a vascular access site include an elongate body comprising a distal end and configured to be inserted into a first vessel. The elongate body includes an exit port along its side that is proximal to the distal end. An imaging assembly is associated with the elongate body and configured to generate image data of the first vessel and a second vessel positioned next to the first vessel. For vascular access formation, a penetrating member of the catheter system extends out of the exit port and through a wall of the first vessel and a wall of the second vessel.

主权项

1. A method for creating a vascular access site, the method comprising
providing a catheter comprising:
an elongate body comprising a distal end and configured to enter a vessel,an exit port on a side of the elongate body and proximal to the distal end, andan imaging assembly operably associated with the elongate body; introducing the catheter into a first vessel to generate image data; imaging, with the imaging assembly, the first vessel and the second vessel; determining a location to form a vascular access site between the first and second vessels based on the imaging step; and extending a penetrating member out of the exit port of the catheter such that the penetrating member passes through walls of the first and second vessels at the determined location, thereby creating the vascular access site.