Patent ID: 8079974

Claim:
A device for controlling flow in an AV graft or AV fistula used for vascular access for an extracorporeal circuit, the device comprising: a) a plurality of actuators capable of applying pressure to a vessel unequally and inwardly in more than two different directions, to provide a reduced flow through the AV graft or AV fistula, when flow through the extracorporeal circuit is not to occur; and b) an adjuster for changing the degree of constriction, to modify the flow through the AV graft or AV fistula, when flow through the extracorporeal circuit is to occur, the adjuster having a receiver, a motor and a transmission; wherein the plurality of actuators is configured to apply partial constriction over an elongate portion of the vessel, the vessel having a diameter “D” in an unconstricted state, the elongate portion being constricted having a length “L” and the length “L” being at least twice the diameter “D”.