Patent ID: 7387636

Claim:
A method for generating an arteriovenous fistula between an artery and a vein in-vivo, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first catheter that is positionable in the vein and a second catheter that is positionable in the artery, said first and second catheters having magnetic members thereon and at least one of said first and second catheters having a sliding perforation member that moves axially to perforate the artery and vein at adjacent locations to thereby create a fistula between the artery and vein; (b) positioning the first catheter within the vein; (c) positioning the second catheter within the artery; (d) causing a magnetic attraction between the magnetic members; and (e) causing the perforation member to move axially resulting in perforation of the artery and vein at adjacent locations to thereby create a fistula between the artery and vein.