Patent ID: 12226606

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Apparatus and methods for an access valve having mechanical linkages are provided. In another embodiment, an apparatus and method for an implantable subcutaneous access valve having palpable elements are provided.

Apparatus may include, and methods may involve, a transport system. The transport system may include a port. The port may be coupled to a blood vessel. The blood vessel may be an artery. The blood vessel may be a vein. The blood vessel may be any suitable blood vessel. The access valve may be coupled to any suitable conduit carrying a medium.

The port may include an spherical chamber. The port may include a mechanical linkage arrangement to transmit forces to actuate clamp means and sealing means. The port may include a sealable passageway. The port may include an orifice. The orifice may allow blood to flow between the blood vessel and the port.

The transport system may include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may prevent premature movement of components of the device. The locking mechanism in a second state may prevent the release of components until the locking mechanism is actuated.

Apparatus may include, and methods may involve, a graft. The graft may be attached to a conduit. The conduit may be an artery or a vein or a carrier or any suitable medium. The graft may include tubing configured to be anastomized to the conduit. The tubing may include a compressible portion. The tubing may include a non-compressible portion.

Methods may include accessing a blood vessel via a graft anastomized to the blood vessel. The method may include inserting a needle through a needle access device The methods may include directing blood, via the lumen, from the blood vessel to a spherical chamber, in fluid communication with an inserted needle. Methods may include extracting the blood from the spherical chamber. The blood may be extracted using the needle inserted through the needle access into the spherical chamber, or adjacent to, but in fluid communication with the spherical chamber.

The graft may be a first graft. The methods may include transferring blood extracted from the access valve to a dialysis machine and filtering the blood. The filtered blood may then be transferred to a second access valve. The methods may include reintroducing the filtered blood to circulation via a second graft.

The first graft may be anastomized to an artery. The first graft may be anastomized to a vein. The second graft may be anastomized to a vein. The second graft may be anastomized to an artery. In some embodiments, a plurality of grafts may be implanted. Each of the plurality of grafts may be anastomized to one or more blood vessels.

In an embodiment of a subcutaneous vascular access device, there are basically three preferred elements a needle receptor, a device lumen, and lumen clamping means. The needle receptor is subcutaneously located while portions of the clamping means lies deeper; the device lumen is the physical connection between the subcutaneous portions of the device and the deeper portion of the device, it also provides fluid communication between the needle receptor and a native body lumen. Similarly, the portions of the lumen clamping means that are meant to be actuated by hand (preferably with two fingers) are subcutaneous, while the portion contacting the device lumen are arranged to be deeper, such that the orientation provides an effective seal without creating any clotting or turbulent flow potential. This improved sealing method is targeted to reduce neo-intimal hyperplasia and stenosis formation commonly associated with aberrant vascular geometry caused by non-uniform device lumens or device protrusions which cause turbulent blood flow. Many anastomotic devices do not create a uniform surface at the area they serve to seal, thus creating pockets of stagnant blood, or eddies in the blood flow path or contiguous with the blood stream.

The needle receptor will optimally be palpable and located just beneath the skin surface. At the distal tapering aspect of each needle receptor is basically funnel shaped geometry, and In one embodiment, there will be a ball-valve mechanism, where the act of physically inserting the dialysis needle into, and through, the funnel will supply the required force to open the ball-valve mechanism and simultaneously allow the dialysis needle to pass through the funnel and into the blood lumen. In another embodiment, the needle receptor provides a funnel shaped geometry, having an elastic sealing material at or near narrowed end of the funnel. The elastic sealing material is configured to serve as a sealing ring. The sealing material is provided with an opening through which a displaceable sealing rod would be inserted to block unwanted flow through the opening. Upon insertion of the needle through the funnel shaped needle receptor, and through the opening of the sealing material, the advancing needle displaces the sealing rod, for example, either compressing the rod axially, or urging the rod against a compressible material, such where the sealing rod is supported by a spring, or spring loaded member, and upon the rod being displaced by the needle, as it is advanced, compresses the spring or collapsible rod. With the needle in place within the needle receptor, the clamp on the lumen may be opened to allow fluid flow through the lumen, and dialysis (or other procedure) may be performed so long as the needle remains in place. Upon the needle being removed from the funnel shaped element of the needle receptor, the sealing rod will be urged, such as by the compressed spring, and again be directed through the opening in the sealing material vacated by the withdrawn needle. In this manner, as the needle is removed from the funnel, the sealing rod fills the opening and fluid flow will be blocked from entering or exiting through the funnel. Thus, in the event of needle removal, prior to the clamp on the lumen being shut, the sealing rod will be urged back to the initial position and fill the opening left by the needle in the sealing material. The rod thus serves as safety seal to prevent undesirable free flow of fluid out from the lumen in the event of premature needle withdrawal.

For the various embodiments described herein, optimally, there will be multiple locations for directing a needle into the needle receptor, at distinct positions. For example, providing two needle entry points, may allow the access to be sequenced through each, in order to promote skin healing between being accessed.

In an embodiment, the chamber will optimally have an almost spherical cross section configuration so that blood cannot settle into any corner.

For the various embodiments described herein, the clamp is optimally located where the anastomosis between the device lumen and native vessel is located. The clamp runs substantially parallel to the long axis of the native vessel in the form of two rod-like members that flank the distal most aspect of the device lumen, optimally at a position immediately above the anastomosis with the native vessel (for the sake of this description, the distal end of the device lumen and the anastomosis site may be considered one and the same when discussing the clamping location form and function). The rods will be connected to one another, at one end, such that in the closed position, they compress the distal end of the device lumen preventing blood from entering and stagnating in the device lumen. The clamp is further designed to minimize the blood exposure to the device's blood lumen to optimize for nearly laminar blood flow in the native lumen when the clamp is closed and the device is not in use. When the clamp is opened, blood will enter the device lumen through the anastomosis. The clamp is opened using the force generated by the fluid driven member of the device, or alternatively by mechanical linkages transmitting forces applied to palpable elements placed subcutaneously, as will be discussed.

In an embodiment relying on mechanical linkages for transmitting forces, there are provided on the device implanted subcutaneously, one or more tabs that are palpable through the skin, and configured to be manipulated by the user by applying pressure to the one or more tabs. The movement of the one or more tabs, are configured to actuate via mechanical linkages, preferably levers, the clamp to open the lumen for fluid flow therethrough. Additionally, the mechanical linkages are configured to cause movement of at least a portion of the needle receptor, thereby applying a compressive force to the elastic sealing material, whereupon the sealing material will be squeezed tightly against the outside surface of the needle. The movement of the clamp and the movement of the needle receptor may be proportional or indirectly proportional to the movement of the one or more tabs. Through mechanical linkages, such as those depicted in the various embodiments contained herein, the movement of the one or more tabs will effect a movement of a clamp puller, which in turn pulls a tension element attached to the clamp elements, thereby causing the clamp to open. The linear movement of the clamp puller is greater than the linear movement of the one or more tabs; while the linear movement of the needle receptor portion against the sealing material will be less than the linear movement of the one or more tabs. The linear movement of the needle receptor portion against the sealing material is preferably less than that of the tab movement, as a result of the creation of mechanical advantage, to apply a greater compressive force over a shorter travel, using techniques known to those skilled in the art. In this manner, the device is configured to apply a compressive force to the sealing material, creating mechanical advantage in order to apply a compressive force, as is known to those skilled in the art, where the force will be able to deform the sealing material in order to create the seal. For this embodiment of the device having mechanical linkages to effectuate clamp actuation and compression of the sealing material, it is contemplated that the linear movement of the tabs will be in the range of 1-5 millimeters, preferably in the range of 2-4 millimeters, and more preferably 2-3 millimeters. From this tab movement, it is anticipated that the linear action of the clamp puller to open the clamp will be at least 150%, at least 200%, or at least 300% of the movement of the tabs; while the movement of the needle receptor will be in the range of less than 50%, less than 30%, or less than 20% of the movement of the tabs.

In another embodiment, the safety mechanism comprises a subcutaneously located, palpable button, and similar to a “pen click” mechanism, where the palpable button may be manipulated to alternate between a first state and a second state. While in a first state, the palpable button prevents movement of the one or more tabs, thereby preventing the clamp sealing the lumen from opening; and while in a second state, the palpable button frees the one or more tabs for actuation, such that the clamp can be opened. Preferably, the palpable button, in a first state, serves to prevent substantially all movement of the subcutaneous tabs, until such a point as the button has been depressed. Once the palpable button is depressed, and is in the second state, the one or more tabs may then be pressed to cause the clamp to open and the palpable button, while in the second state is further arranged to maintain the one or more tabs in the actuated position, and thereby ensures the clamp remains in an open state, until such a point in time at which the palpable button is depressed again, and caused to revert to the first state, whereupon multiple actions occur: the one or more tabs are released, causing the clamp on the lumen to be closed by spring tension as the clamp puller returns to its original location; the funnel portion moves away from the sealing material, and halts the compression upon the sealing material, thereby releasing the seal grasping the needle in the funnel is released, whereupon the needle may be withdrawn.

In the use of this embodiment of the device, it is contemplated that the operator will direct a hollow needle to penetrate the skin, and subcutaneously enter the wide mouth end of the funnel shaped element of the needle receptor. As the needle is advanced deeper into the needle receptor, it advances through an opening in a sealing material positioned at or near a narrowed portion of the funnel of the needle receptor. As the needle is advanced through the opening in the sealing material, it displaces a sealing rod that is aligned coaxially with the axis of the needle receptor. The needle is arranged along an axis that extends through the center of the funnel and extends tangentially to a spherical chamber within the device. The spherical chamber is in fluid communication with a lumen extending distally towards the anastomosis junction. The needle is advanced along the axis until the distal tip of the needle is in fluid communication with the interior of the spherical chamber. In an embodiment, the needle is advanced to the location where the distal tip of the needle located tangential to or is aligned with a tangential opening into the interior of the spherical chamber. At this point, the palpable button of the safety mechanism may be depressed. With the palpable button depressed, in a manner similar to a “pen click”, the safety mechanism will now allow the user to manipulate at least one tab, preferably two tabs, by applying a pressure and causing movement of the tab. The movement of the one or more tabs will cause the action of mechanical linkages, which result in the actuation of the clamp adjacent to the anastomosis junction to open, and also cause at least a portion of the funnel of the needle receptor to move in a distal direction, whereupon compressive force is applied the sealing material. The sealing material is thus squeezed between the housing of the device and the funnel, and in response, the sealing material constricts the opening through which the needle is directed, thereby sealing tightly around the outside surface of the needle, and thereby preventing fluid flow around the periphery of the needle. The movement of the one or more tabs is restrained by the safety mechanism, allowing the user to release the pressure of the tabs, and have the tabs retain their actuated position. In this manner, the clamp is maintained open, allowing fluid flow through the lumen, and maintaining the seal around the needle.

In use of the embodiment of the device having the tab actuated clamps, it is contemplated that two or more of these devices may be placed for dialysis. In this instance, it is anticipated that dialysis would occur where each device is implanted and anastomosed to a blood vessel, where first device is in fluid communication with the needle that serves to withdraw blood, typically from the arterial system, from the patient for the dialysis procedure, and the second device is in fluid communication with the needle that is returning dialyzed or filtered blood to the patient, typically into the venous system. Upon completion of the dialysis treatment, the fluid line for each device would be flushed with an amount of saline, or any other suitable flushing liquid to clear the line. After flushing, the palpable button of the safety mechanism may then be depressed, thereby returning the tabs to their original state and sealing the lumen by closing the clamp at the anastomosis junction, and further releasing seal of the sealing material around the periphery of the needle, such that the needle may then be withdrawn. As the needle is withdrawn from the needle receptor, the sealing rod, which had been displaced by the advancing needle, will return to its original position within the sealing material, thereby preventing fluid transfer in or out through the funnel of the needle receptor.

In the event that the needle is removed from the patient during dialysis, the sealing rod would be urged proximally into the opening in the sealing material left by the removal of the needle, thereby preventing the free flow of fluid through the device. This is especially important where the lumen is anastomosed to the arterial system, as the blood pressure is higher than in the venous system, and would if left unchecked, potentially cause significant blood loss to the patient. Thus the embodiment of the device featuring a sealing rod provides an automatic safety seal to prevent unchecked flow through the device in the event that the needle is removed while the clamp remains in an open position, and there is fluid communication between the needle receptor and the blood vessel.

In another embodiment, the subcutaneous vascular access device, comprises a needle receptor, a lumen (which may be referred to as a device lumen, in order to distinguish the element from a native bodily lumen), a lumen clamping means, and a clamp manipulator (In certain orientations, the clamp manipulator may be referred to as a component of the lumen clamping means, which is just for ease of illustration). In these types of embodiments said needle receptor is arranged to accept a needle having a distal tip that is inserted from outside the body, and to provide positioning means for the placement of said needle.

In an embodiment, the lumen is arranged to contact said needle receptor at a first location and with said lumen being arranged to be anastomosed to a native body lumen at a second location. The lumen is further designed to have a cross section that remains nearly circular, but other shapes may be utilized so long as no geometric feature provides an eddy or other stagnate region, as this may lead to clotting or other cascades of difficulties. Similarly, irregularities in the vessel wall that cause turbulent or otherwise irregular flow will cause a different set of problems; all of which will decrease the efficiency of the device, render it unusable, or harm the patient in a worst case situation.

For the various embodiments described herein, the lumen clamping means generally comprises at least two clamping members. These members are optimally arranged to compress said lumen at a location between said first location and said second location, in an orientation substantially parallel to said lumen. It is believed that a parallel orientation is optimal, however, it is contemplated that lumen characteristics (including anastomosis design and characteristics) and fluid mechanics may dictate that a slight offset from parallel may provide a better seal with optimal flow characteristics. Therefore, a range of clamp orientations are contemplated in this disclosure. The goal of this element is primarily to provide a seal along said anastomosis and prohibit fluid flow therethrough, while maintaining an even flow of blood or other fluid through the native body lumen.

The shape of the clamping members may be generally circular in cross-section, to provide a linear region of highest clamping stress; however, lumen design and materials may dictate that a square or rectangular cross-section may provide an optimum sealing profile. Therefore, these and various contacting shapes are within the contemplation of this disclosure.

In another embodiment, a clamp manipulator, also referred to as a clamp manipulator or manipulation means, may be used. In an embodiment, the clamp manipulator may comprise elements that actuate mechanical linkages which directly drive the opening of clamp, and actuate a sealing mechanism around a needle, as has been previously discussed. For example, the action of the clamp manipulator may occur as one or more tabs are pressed by the user, the tabs through mechanical linkages convert the movement to a linear movement of a clamp puller, which is connected by a tension element to the clamping members, which react by opening and unsealing the lumen to allow fluid flow therethrough.

In an embodiment, the clamp members are spring held by spring tension in a closed position, unless the clamp puller is retracted with a force to overcome the spring tension. Additionally, the one or more tabs when pressed, are urged against a spring, such that upon release, the spring tension pushes the tabs back to their original state, and reversing the movements caused by the action of the one or more tabs. In another embodiment, the clamp manipulator may comprise at least one tab rotatably attached to at least one axial support member, wherein the depressing of said tab causes rotation which may serve to engage a gear assembly which is arranged to pressurize a fluid to drive said fluid driven member.

In various embodiments described herein, the aforementioned clamp manipulator may further comprise at least a second tab. For the embodiment having hydraulic operation, the second tab may be rotatably attached to a second axial support member. For the embodiment relying on mechanical linkages to actuate the clamp, the second tab is preferably arranged to operate in concert with the first tab, such that the tabs may be squeezed towards each other, and the movement of each tabs are coupled together to reduce the force that each tab would have to exert alone to preform the tasks of opening the clamp, and tightly sealing around the needle, as has been described previously. Regardless, of whether a single or dual tab assembly is used, the tab or tabs are arranged to allow two fingers to provide adequate force to effect the required actions, such as clamp opening and sealing. It is contemplated that for a multiple tab assembly, each tab may be arranged to operate independently, or alternatively perform dissimilar actions. For example, a first tab may be configured to actuate the clamp, and the second tab may actuate the sealing around the needle. The clamp manipulator may further comprise locking means, wherein said locking means secures said tab(s) at a predetermined amount of travel. Additionally, a preferred embodiment locking means is arranged to unlock following the application of additional pressure to said tab(s) while they are in the secured state. This tab, or arrangement of tabs, are preferably palpable from outside the body.

These various embodiments containing needle receptors, further comprise a plurality of needle receptors, with said receptors being located longitudinally along said lumen such that said needle may be introduced at a plurality of locations.

In yet another embodiment of a subcutaneous vascular access device, there are basically four preferred elements a device lumen, a needle receptor, lumen clamping means, and a clamp manipulator. In this embodiment the device lumen has a distal end and a proximal end defining a lumen length. The device lumen may also have an anastomosis at said distal end, wherein said anastomosis serves to connect said device lumen to a native body lumen.

A needle receptor may be arranged to be palpable from outside the body and anchored along the lumen length to provide fluid communication therewith.

The entry needle may be assisted or guided, in this embodiment, by a funnel shaped entry port arranged to accept and guide said needle toward said rotating member. Further, the funnel shaped entry port may be palpable, so that the needle stick in the skin may be more exact.

A preferred embodiment will also contain a lumen clamping means arranged at the proximal end of said device lumen. This lumen clamping means may include a manipulation means comprising two tabs each palpable under the skin.

Apparatus and methods described herein are illustrative. Apparatus and methods of the invention may involve some or all of the features of the illustrative apparatus and/or some or all of the steps of the illustrative methods. The steps of the methods may be performed in an order other than the order shown and described herein. Some embodiments may omit steps shown and described in connection with the illustrative methods. Some embodiments may include steps that are not shown and described in connection with the illustrative methods.

Illustrative embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The drawings show illustrative features of apparatus and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention. The features are illustrated in the context of selected embodiments. It will be understood that features shown in connection with one of the embodiments may be practiced in accordance with the principles of the invention along with features shown in connection with another of the embodiments.

The apparatus and methods of the invention will be described in connection with exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural, functional and procedural modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

FIG.1shows an illustration of the needle receptor101having a funnel opening105, the clamp manipulator100, and the portion of the clamp manipulator referred to in certain embodiments as the one or more tabs110, the palpable button115. This figure also shows the needle121, in place for insertion into the funnel opening105. Also depicted are tension element0114141connected to clamp arms150configured to clamp the lumen160at a point adjacent to the anastomosis with the blood vessel.

FIG.2depicts the needle221having been advanced into the needle receptor201through the funnel portion205. With the needle inserted into the needle receptor201, the palpable button215may be depressed in the direction indicated by arrow2A, so that the palpable button is moved from a first state to a second state. When the button215is in a first state, it is configured to mechanically prevent movement of one or more tabs210. However, once button215is in a second state, the one or more tabs210may then be actuated by pressing in the tab, as represented by arrow2B. In embodiments having two tabs on opposing sides of the clamp manipulator200, corresponding forces may be applied to squeeze both tabs210at the same time, to actuate the mechanical linkages within the clamp manipulator200. Actuation of the clamp manipulator200will cause tension element241to be pulled in a proximal direction as depicted by arrow2C, whereupon the clamp arms250are opened, as depicted by arrows2E to allow fluid flow through the lumen260. As the clamp arms250are urged open, a clamp spring255is energized, such that clamp spring would urge the clamp arms to a closed position, but for the tension applied via tension element241. The clamp actuator200additionally is mechanically linked to the funnel portion205of needle receptor201, such that as the one or more tabs210are pressed, the funnel portion is urged in a distal direction, as shown by the force arrows2E.

FIG.3depicts a cross-section view of the internal elements of the needle receptor301, and the clamp manipulator300. The needle321is depicted as having been advanced through the mouth of the funnel305, and through the elastic sealing material365, and displacing a spring mounted sealing rod364. The needle receptor301provides, in this embodiment, 2 paths for alternating needle penetration when the blood system is being accessed, so as to afford healing of the skin subsequent to needle penetration, prior to the subsequent access. The needle321enters along an axis the intersects tangentially with a spherical chamber370, which is in fluid communication with the lumen360. It is contemplated that the spherical chamber370may alternatively be a non-spherical shape, for example ovoid, but in any embodiment, it is preferred that sharp corners are avoided, so as to avoid eddies or poorly flowing regions in the chamber that would otherwise promote clotting or biological build up in the poorly flowing region. It is recognized that a spherical chamber, having tangentially located ports371, promotes even flow through the entirety of the chamber, during the period of time when blood is flowing through the device, and additionally upon being flushed with saline, will effectively flush the blood material from the device, such that the closed volume, when not being accessed remains filled with the saline flush.FIG.3further depicts the one or more tabs310, which upon being released for movement by the pressing of the palpable button (not shown), each of the tabs310, being palpable through the skin, may be urged by the operator to move, and overcome the resistance of tab spring. The movement of the tab310, in turn, acts upon mechanical linkages a portion of which is shown inFIG.3, where first rigid link312, connected to the tab via first pivot313. The mechanical output from pressing upon tabs310is depicted inFIG.4.

FIG.4depicts the needle receptor401and clamp manipulator400. InFIG.4, the one or more tabs410are depicted as having been pressed and moved inwards towards the spherical chamber470, in the direction depicted by arrow4A. The movement of the one or more tabs410, in turn acts upon a series of mechanical linkages to cause the funnel405of the needle receptor to move in the direction depicted by arrows4B, and applying compressive force to elastic sealing material465, which due to being constrained from movement by the construction of the clamp manipulator400, responds by compressing axially, as depicted by the arrows4C, thereby forming a seal around the needle421. The movement of the one or more tabs410is similarly conveyed by mechanical linkages to cause the clamp to open, as will be discussed.

FIG.5depicts one embodiment of the subcutaneously implanted device while in a state allowing blood flow therethrough. In this embodiment, the one or more tabs510are urged inwards, as previously discussed, and the funnel505has been urged against sealing material565to seal tightly around needle521. Additionally, clamp arms550have been caused to open, such that there is now fluid communication between the native body blood vessel, the lumen560, the spherical chamber570, and the interior of the needle521. In this manner, blood is able to flow through the fluid pathway, to allow a medical procedure, such as dialysis to occur. By using two devices in tandem, it is anticipated that blood could be withdrawn from an anastomosis with the arterial system, or a graft, flow through the subcutaneously implanted device, and be delivered to a dialysis machine outside of the body. After the blood is filtered or treated, the blood may be returned through a second device anastomosed to a venous system, or graft, such that the blood flows through the needle, then through the lumen, and to the venous system. It is contemplated that in a less preferred use, the direction of flow through the device may be reversed after a period of time, where an amount of blood is removed from the patient, treated, and returned through the same device back into the blood system of the patient.

FIG.6is different view of the device in the same condition depicted inFIG.5, and depicts the clamp arms650having been opened by the action the one or more tabs610, acting via mechanical linkages comprising at least a second rigid link644, which is secured to the body of the tab at one end, and to a cable puller642at the other end. The second rigid link644serves to transfer the movement of the tab610into a proximally directed (in a direction away from the anastomosis) movement of puller642. The proximally directed movement of the puller in turn pulls on the tension element641, which may be a cable or tension rod. The tension element641is secured at its distal terminus to a fixation element643, and acts in cooperation with the clamp arms, to open the clamp arms as the fixation element is moved proximally. This may be accomplished, for example, by pins or protruding elements (as can be seen with reference toFIG.1) affixed to the fixation element643, that ride in cam slots645in the clamp arms650, such that the pins riding in the angled cam slots645force the clamp arms to open, when the puller642is moved proximally. It is understood that a variety of mechanical linkage arrangement may alternatively be utilized to clause the clamp to open, and in light of this teaching, those of ordinary skill in the art can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the principles of the invention.

FIG.7depicts the device actions to be performed after the medical procedure, typically blood dialysis, has been completed, and the fluid pathway has been preferably flushed with saline, or any other suitable fluid to clear the pathway. In order to seal off the lumen760, the user depresses the palpable button715in the direction shown by arrow7A, causing the button to revert from the second state to the first state. While the button remained in the second state, the inward movement of the one or more tabs710was restrained; and as the button enters the first state, the tabs are urged back to their original position by the springs (see tab springs311ofFIG.3). The movement of the tabs to their original position reverses the movement of the mechanical linkages described previously, such that the clamp arms are caused to clamp and seal the lumen760, as the tension upon the tension element is released (represented by the arrow7B, and the puller742returns to its original position. Additionally, the tab movement allows the ring seal formed by the elastomeric material around the needle721to release, as the funnel portion705is moved proximally in the direction shown by arrow7C. As needle721is withdrawn, the spring loaded sealing rod764is urged against the retreating needle, until such a point as the sealing rod is through the sealing material, thereby completing a seal in the proximal end of the fluid pathway while the device remains in an idle position. Apparatus and methods described herein are illustrative. Apparatus and methods of the invention may involve some or all of the features of the illustrative apparatus and/or some or all of the steps of the illustrative methods. The steps of the methods may be performed in an order other than the order shown and described herein. Some embodiments of the invention may omit steps shown and described in connection with the illustrative methods. Some embodiments of the invention may include steps that are not shown and described in connection with the illustrative methods.

The invention may be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. For example, control of expandable, contractible and otherwise moveable apparatus may be controlled by a computer system. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile phones and/or other personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. In a distributed computing environment, devices that perform the same or similar function may be viewed as being part of a “module” even if the devices are separate (whether local or remote) from each other.

The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or store or process data structures, objects and other data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by separate (local or remote) processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the principles of the invention.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

Thus, systems and methods for hydraulically controlled arterial/venous access, as well as mechanical linkage enabled arterial/venous access, have been provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation. The present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.