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 rerouting blood flow, the device comprising:
a support structure comprising:
a first end portion configured to coaxially appose sidewalls of a first vessel, wherein the first end portion comprises a first diameter;
a second end portion configured to coaxially appose sidewalls of a second vessel, wherein the second end portion comprises a second diameter greater than the first diameter; and
an intermediate portion longitudinally 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 frustoconical; and
a tube coupled to the support structure, wherein the tube comprises a polymer, and wherein the tube at least partially forms a lumen configured to divert blood flow from the first vessel, through the passage, and into the second vessel.
22 . The device of claim 21 wherein the second end portion is frustoconical.
23 . The device of claim 22 wherein the first end portion is cylindrical.
24 . The device of claim 22 wherein the first end portion is frustoconical.
25 . The device of claim 21 wherein the first end portion is frustoconical.
26 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure is self-expanding.
27 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure is balloon expandable.
28 . The device of claim 21 wherein the support structure comprises a wire.
29 . The device of claim 21 wherein at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion is frustoconical, wherein the support structure comprises a laser-perforated nitinol tube, and wherein the tube comprises PTFE.
30 . The device of claim 21 wherein the intermediate portion is frustonical along an entire length of the intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion.
31 . The device of claim 21 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 the first end portion has the first diameter and the second end portion has the second diameter in the expanded state.
32 . A device for rerouting blood flow, the device comprising:
a support structure comprising:
a first end portion configured to appose sidewalls of a first vessel, wherein the first end portion comprises a first diameter;
a second end portion configured to appose sidewalls of a second vessel different than the first vessel, wherein the second end portion comprises a second diameter different than the first diameter; and
an intermediate portion longitudinally 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 at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, or the intermediate portion is frustoconical; and
a tube coupled to the support structure, wherein the tube at least partially forms a lumen configured to divert blood flow from the first vessel, through the passage, and into the second vessel.
33 . The device of claim 32 wherein the second end portion is frustoconical.
34 . The device of claim 33 wherein the first end portion is cylindrical.
35 . The device of claim 33 wherein the first end portion is frustoconical.
36 . The device of claim 32 wherein the support structure is self-expanding.
37 . The device of claim 32 wherein at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion is frustoconical, wherein the first vessel is an artery, wherein the second vessel is a vein, wherein the support structure comprises a laser-perforated shape memory material tube, and wherein the tube comprises a polymer.
38 . A device for rerouting blood flow, the device comprising:
a support structure comprising:
a first end portion configured to anchor in a first passage, wherein the first end portion comprises a first diameter;
a second end portion configured to anchor in a second passage different than the first passage, wherein the second end portion comprises a second diameter different than the first diameter; and
an intermediate portion longitudinally between the first end portion and the second end portion and configured to be positioned in a third passage between the first passage and the second passage, wherein the intermediate portion has a third diameter that tapers from the first diameter to the second diameter along an entire length of the intermediate portion; and
a tube coupled to the support structure, wherein the tube at least partially forms a lumen configured to divert blood flow from the first passage, through the third passage, and into the second passage.
39 . The device of claim 38 wherein at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion is frustoconical.
40 . The device of claim 38 wherein the intermediate portion is frustoconical.