Patent ID: 6464665
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A catheter apparatus for arterializing a vein by creating a fistula between the vein and an artery, the apparatus comprising:an arterial catheter having a distal end insertable to a position wherein the distal end is adjacent a site within the artery for the fistula, a venous catheter having a distal end insertable to a position wherein the distal end is adjacent a site within the vein for the fistula, the venous catheter including a radially expandable structure adjacent the distal end which selectively extends outwardly a portion of the wall of the vein adjacent the venous fistula site towards contact with the wall of the artery adjacent the arterial fistula site, a tool for creating an opening through the wall of the artery adjacent the arterial fistula site and an opening through the outwardly extending portion of the wall of the vein adjacent the venous fistula site, wherein the radially expandable structure of the venous catheter includes a wire basket deployable adjacent the distal end of the venous catheter, the wire basket being expandable with sufficient force to extend outwardly the wall of the vein towards contact with the arterial wall.