Patent ID: 8641724

Claim:
A device for creating a fistula in a patient comprising: an elongate tubular structure having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to pass first through the skin of the patient, then through a first vessel, and then into a second vessel, wherein said elongate tubular structure includes an outer tube and a slidable core slidingly received by said outer tube, wherein the slidable core has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough; a self-expanding fistula creation assembly disposed near the distal end of the elongate tubular structure, said self-expanding fistula creation assembly being adapted to create and maintain a fistula that provides a flow of blood between the first vessel and the second vessel; and a needle removably received in a lumen of the slidable core, wherein the needle has a needle tip that extends beyond the distal end of the elongate tubular structure to penetrate skin and the first and second vessels as the elongate tubular structure is advanced; wherein the self-expanding fistula creation assembly is carried on the first slidable core and constrained by the tubular structure such that the outer tube can be retracted to release the self-expanding fistula creation assembly in the penetration.