DISTALLY NARROWED VASCULAR GRAFTS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR MAKING ARTERY-TO-VEIN AND ARTERY-TO-ARTERY CONNECTIONS

摘要

Graft (10) has a first end (20) adapted for insertion into a blood receiving vessel site and a second end (30) adapted for attachment to an artery site. Graft (10) is preferably made of a material having a generally uniform thickness, and graft (10) defines a lumen (11) having the same shape as the external surface of the graft (10). In graft (10), distal end (20) defines oriface (21) and proximal end (30) defines oriface (31). The portion of the lumen (11) defined by section (23), also referred to as a ''stepped'' or a ''taper'' section, has a generally gradually decreasing diameter from a longitudinal point adjacent section (40).