Devices and methods to facilitate cannulation of an arteriovenous fistula

1. A device for locating a fistula comprising:

a first tine and a second tine, said first tine and said second tine each having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of each tine configured to contact skin of a patient, said first tine spaced a distance from said second tine sufficient for allowing a section of a fistula to fit therebetween: and

a compression member, said compression member being integrally connected to said first tine and said second tine at said proximal ends such that said compression member externally compresses and temporarily occludes the fistula thereby increasing blood pressure in a section of the fistula located between said first tine and said second tine,

wherein said compression member is oriented relative to said first and second tines such that only a portion of said first and second tines contact skin adjacent to the fistula when the compression member externally compresses and temporarily occludes the fistula.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said first tine and said second tine are connected together at each said proximal end.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein said first tine and said second tine are pivotally connected together at their proximal ends such that the distance between said first tine and said second tine is adjustable.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein said first tine and said second tine are formed from a malleable material such that the distance between said first tine and said second tine is adjustable.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein said compression member is integrally connected with said first tine and said second tine.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein said compression member is attached to said first tine and said second tine.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein said compression member, said first tine, and said second tine are formed from a material having antibacterial properties.

8. The, device of claim 1 , wherein said compression member extends at an angle from said proximal ends of said first and second tines such that said proximal ends are spaced apart from the skin when the compression member externally compresses and temporarily occludes the fistula.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein only a portion of said distal ends of said first and second tines contacts the skin adjacent to the fistula when the compression member externally compresses and temporarily occludes the fistula.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein said compression member is oriented relative to said first and second tines such that it extends below said first and second tines at an angle ranging from about 60 to 90 degrees from a plane defined by a top surface of said first tine and said second tine.

11. A device for locating a fistula comprising:

a first tine and a second fine, said first tine and said second tine each having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of each tine configured to contact skin of a patient, said first tine and said second tine being integrally connected together at each said proximal end, said first fine spaced a distance from said second tine sufficient for allowing a section of a fistula to fit therebetween; and

a compression member, said compression member being integrally connected with said first tine and said second tine at said proximal ends such that said compression member externally compresses and temporarily occludes a fistula thereby increasing blood pressure in a section of a fistula located between said first tine and said second tine,

wherein said compression member is oriented such that it extends below said first and second tines at an angle from a plane defined by a top surface of said first tine and said second tine.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein said angle ranges from about 60 to 90 degrees.

13. The device of claim 11 , wherein said first tine and said second tine are adjustably spaced from about 1 to 4 cm apart.

14. The device of claim 11 , wherein said compression member, said first tine, and said second tine are formed from a material having antibacterial properties.

15. A method for locating a fistula with a device including a first tine, a second tine and a compression member, said tines each having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal ends configured to contact skin of a patient, said compression member being integrally connected with said first tine and said second tine at said proximal ends, the method comprising:

positioning said first tine and said second tine such that a section of a fistula is aligned therebetween;

compressing said compression member such that said compression member externally compresses and temporarily occludes the fistula thereby increasing blood pressure in a section of the fistula located between said first tine and said second tine; and

contacting only a portion of said first and second tines against skin adjacent to the fistula as the compression member is compressed.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprises inserting a dialysis needle in said fistula.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein said first tine and said second tine are adjustably spaced from about 1 to 4 cm apart.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein said compression member, said first tine, and said second tine are formed from a material having antibacterial properties.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein contacting only a portion of said first and second tines against skin adjacent to the fistula as the compression member is compressed comprises contacting only a portion of a distal end of said first and second tines as the compression member is compressed.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein said compression member is oriented relative to said first and second tines such that it extends below said first and second tines at an angle ranging from about 60 to 90 degrees from a plane defined by a top surface of said first tine and said second tine.