Patent ID: 8012134

Claim:
An implantable dialysis valve for fluid connection between an artery and a vein, comprising: an implantable housing sized to fit between an artery and a vein; an arterial fistula graft connected with the housing to attach with the artery when the housing is implanted; a venous fistula graft connected with the housing to attach with the vein when the housing is implanted; a flexible tube movable relative to the implantable housing and extending through the implantable housing to convey blood from the arterial fistula graft to the venous fistula graft, the tube extending for a longitudinal length and defining an inner surface having a substantially smooth coating; a controllable spring member coupled to the tube to selectively adjust from a first length to a second length in response to electric control, the controllable spring member being coupled with the tube so that when the controllable spring member adjusts from the first length to the second length, the tube contemporaneously increases in longitudinal length and decreases in diameter at a narrowed portion.