DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING LOWER EXTREMITY VASCULATURE
A method of diverting fluid flow from a first vessel including an occlusion to a second vessel includes deploying a prosthesis at least partially in a fistula and making valves in the second vessel incompetent. Making the valves in the second vessel incompetent includes at least one of using a reverse valvulotome to cut the valves, inflating a balloon, expanding a stent, and lining the second vessel with a stent.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A device for supplying fluid flow in a human or animal body, the device comprising:
a first end portion configured to anchor the device in a first vessel;
a second end portion configured to anchor the device in a second vessel different than the first vessel, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are diametrically expandable to anchor the device in the first vessel and the second vessel;
an intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion and configured to be positioned in a passage between the first vessel and the second vessel, wherein the intermediate portion is diametrically expandable to dilate at least the intermediate portion;
a support structure; and
a polymer tube,
wherein the first end portion, the second end portion, and the intermediate portion are self-expanding to an expanded state outside a delivery catheter from a compressed state within the delivery catheter, and wherein in the expanded state—
the first end portion has a first diameter,
the second end portion has a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and
the intermediate portion is configured to be expanded by a balloon.
22 . The device of claim 21 wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are configured to be expanded by the balloon or a different balloon after self-expanding.
23 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure comprises a stent, wherein the stent is configured to self-expand to move the first end portion, the second end portion, and the intermediate portion from the compressed state to the expanded state.
24 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure extends along the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion.
25 . The device of claim 21 wherein the polymer tube extends along the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion.
26 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure and the polymer tube each extend along the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion.
27 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure comprises a stent.
28 . The device of claim 27 wherein the polymer tube comprises a graft material coupled to the stent.
29 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure comprises a mesh.
30 . The device of claim 29 wherein the mesh has a first density at the first end portion, and wherein the mesh has a second density at the intermediate portion lower than the first density.
31 . The device of claim 21 wherein the intermediate portion is configured to permit movement of the first end portion and the second end portion relative to each another.
32 . The device of claim 21 wherein the polymer tube defines a path for the fluid flow from the first vessel to the second vessel.
33 . A device for supplying fluid flow in a human or animal body, the device comprising:
a first end portion configured to anchor the device in a first vessel;
a second end portion configured to anchor the device in a second vessel different than the first vessel, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are diametrically expandable to anchor the device in the first vessel and the second vessel; and
an intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion and configured to be positioned in a passage between the first vessel and the second vessel, wherein the intermediate portion is diametrically expandable to dilate at least the intermediate portion, wherein—
the intermediate portion is self-expanding to an expanded state outside a delivery catheter from a compressed state within the delivery catheter, and
the intermediate portion is configured to be further expanded by a balloon in the expanded state.
34 . The device of claim 33 wherein the support structure extends along the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion.
35 . The device of claim 34 wherein the support structure comprises a stent, and further comprising a graft material coupled to the stent.
36 . The device of claim 35 wherein the graft material defines a path for the fluid flow from the first vessel to the second vessel.
37 . The device of claim 33 wherein the support structure comprises a mesh.
38 . The device of claim 37 wherein the mesh extends along the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion.
39 . The device of claim 38 wherein the mesh has a variable density.
40 . The device of claim 33 wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are self-expanding.