Patent ID: 9669148
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M

Claim:
1. A method of treating COPD in a patient, comprising: identifying symptoms of COPD; creating an artificial fistula via a shunt between an artery and a vein of the patient such that an anatomical fistula of vascular tissue forms, wherein blood flows through the shunt between the artery and vein; evaluating the patient after a stabilization period following the creation of the artificial fistula, wherein the stabilization period is sufficient to allow for long-term remodeling of a heart of the patient; adjusting the blood flow through the fistula by restricting flow through another region of the vasculature different from the shunt; and operating a flow-mediating device along the artery or vein to control bypass blood flow through the fistula as indicated to treat COPD.