ARTERIOVENOUS ACCESS VALVE SYSTEM AND PROCESS
In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, a subcutaneous arteriovenous graft system is described. The system includes an arteriovenous graft having an arterial end and an opposite venous end, at least one of the arterial end and venous end including a support frame. The system further includes a first valve device positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft and a second valve device positioned at the venous end of the arteriovenous graft and an actuator in communication with both the first valve device and the second valve device, the actuator being configured to cause each valve device to open or close simultaneously.
1 . A subcutaneous arteriovenous graft system comprising:
an arteriovenous graft having an arterial end and an opposite venous end, at least one of the arterial end and venous end comprising a support frame;
a first valve device positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft and a second valve device positioned at the venous end of the arteriovenous graft; and
an actuator in communication with both the first valve device and the second valve device, the actuator being configured to cause each valve device to open or close simultaneously.
2 . A graft system as in claim 1 , wherein both the arterial end and the venous end each comprise a support device.
3 . A graft system as in claim 1 , wherein the support frame comprises a stent.
4 . A graft system as in claim 1 , wherein the support frame is encapsulated within the graft.
5 . A graft system as in claim 1 , wherein each valve device is configured to exert a pressure of between about 20 psi and about 40 psi against the support frame.
6 . A graft system as in claim 1 , further comprising a coupling insert, the coupling insert joining the arteriovenous graft to the support frame.
7 . A graft system as in claim 6 , wherein the arteriovenous graft and the support frame define a flow path, the coupling insert being positioned within the flow path.
8 . A graft system as in claim 1 , wherein the arteriovenous graft and the support frame define a flow path, the valve device being configured to obstruct the flow path when closed by the actuator, the support frame being configured to assist in reopening the flow path when the valve device is opened by the actuator.
9 . A hemodialysis method comprising:
subcutaneously implanting an arteriovenous graft system in a patient, the arteriovenous graft system including an arteriovenous graft having a first end that is connected to an artery and a second end that is connected to a vein, at least one of the arterial end and venous end comprising a support frame, the arteriovenous graft system further including a first valve device positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft and a second valve device positioned at the venous end of the arteriovenous graft, the arteriovenous graft system further including an actuator in communication with both the first valve device and the second valve device;
opening the first and second valve devices simultaneously using the actuator causing blood to flow through the arteriovenous graft;
inserting first and second hypodermic needles into the arteriovenous graft, the hypodermic needles being in fluid communication with a hemodialysis machine;
circulating blood through the hemodialysis machine; and
after a sufficient amount of blood has been circulated through the hemodialysis machine, closing the first and second valve devices using the actuator.
10 . A method as in claim 9 , wherein both the arterial end and the venous end each comprise a support device.
11 . A method as in claim 9 , wherein the support frame comprises a stent.
12 . A method as in claim 9 , wherein the support frame is encapsulated within the graft.
13 . A method as in claim 9 , wherein each valve device exerts a pressure of between about 20 psi and about 40 psi against the support frame when closing the valve devices.
14 . A method as in claim 9 , wherein the arteriovenous graft system further comprises a coupling insert, the coupling insert joining the arteriovenous graft to the support frame.
15 . A method as in claim 14 , wherein the arteriovenous graft and the support frame define a flow path, the coupling insert being positioned within the flow path.
16 . A method as in claim 14 , wherein the arteriovenous graft and the support frame define a flow path, the support frame assisting in reopening the flow path when the valve device is opened by the actuator.