ANASTOMOTIC DEVICES AND METHODS
Exemplary embodiments comprise AV fistulas and other anastomotic devices for creating new or reinforcing existing side-branch vessels, and/or bridging neighboring vessels together. An exemplary embodiment may comprise a sidewall port, such as a flanged sidewall port, and/or flow frame design, such as a partially bare, flexible stent or a whisk, for purposes of creating a transmural flow. Another exemplary embodiment may comprise a compliant vessel support to aid in the transition from device to vessel and/or vessel to device, and to promote vessel dilation.
1 . A fistula device, comprising:
an elongate conduit including:
a first end with a first flow frame configured to be positioned in a first vessel and span at least a portion of a lumen of the first vessel; and
a second end with a second flow frame configured to be positioned in a second vessel and span at least a portion of a lumen of the second vessel;
wherein at least one of the first flow frame and the second flow frame is comprised of a whisk.
2 . The fistula device of claim 1 , further including a film covering at least a portion the whisk.
3 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the whisk includes a cap configured to seal a puncture site on a vessel wall.
4 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the first vessel is an artery and the second vessel is a vein.
5 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the whisk is comprised of nitinol.
6 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the whisk comprises a ribbed frame having a plurality of ribs.
7 . The fistula device of claim 6 , wherein at least one rib of the plurality of ribs comprises a bladed profile.
8 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the whisk comprises a lattice structure.
9 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises a continuous wall.
10 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the whisk is integral with the elongate conduit.
11 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the whisk is fixedly secured to the elongate conduit.
12 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the whisk is configured to automatically fluctuate diametrically consistent with the corresponding first vessel or second vessel.
13 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first flow frame and the second flow frame comprise a whisk.
14 . The fistula device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate conduit is continuous.
15 . A fistula device comprising:
a conduit having a first end and a second end;
a first whisk extending from the first end of the conduit, the first whisk configured to at least partially span a first lumen of a first vessel;
a second whisk extending from the second end of the conduit, the second whisk configured to at least partially span a second lumen of a second vessel; and
a cap on a distal end of the conduit, the cap configured to seal a puncture site of a wall of at least one of the first vessel and the second vessel when deployed.
16 . The fistula device of claim 15 , wherein the cap is included on at least one of the first whisk and the second whisk.
17 . The fistula device of claim 16 , wherein each of the first whisk and the second whisk includes a cap.
18 . The fistula device of claim 15 , wherein the cap is imbibed with a therapeutic agent.
19 . The fistula device of claim 15 , wherein the cap is configured to seal a puncture site created during percutaneous deployment.
20 . The fistula device of claim 15 , wherein the fistula device is self-expandable.