Methods And Technology For Creating Connections And Shunts Between Vessels And Chambers Of Biologic Structures
Devices and methods of treating conditions cause or exacerbated by excessive fluid pressures or retentions, such as pulmonary hypertension, that involves shunting excessive fluid pressure from one bodily chamber or vessel to another bodily chamber or vessel.
1 . A device for creating a shunt between a first area and a second area having a lower pressure than the first area wherein the first area and second area are not connected prior to creating the shunt comprising:
a stent having an expanded configuration with a first end, a second end, and a lumen extending between the first end and the second end;
wherein the stent expands to its expanded configuration such that the first end and the second end flare and foreshorten to pull the first area and the second area flush together to create a connection with each other.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the stent, in their flared state, grip an interior wall of the first area and an interior wall of the second area.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the first end and the second end of the stent, in their flared state, do not grip on both sides of either the interior wall of the first area or the interior wall of the second area.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the expanded configuration of the stent is biased toward a shortened length relative to a compressed configuration, such that the first end and the second end of the stent are pulled toward each other clamping tissue of the first area and the second area.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the stent is biased towards the shortened length by Nitinol or an elastic member.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the stent is foreshortened by inflating a balloon that is larger in diameter than the stent.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the stent each comprise a first plurality of petals at the first end and a second plurality of petals at the second end.
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein at least some of the first plurality of petals and the second plurality of petals include longer and shorter petals.
9 . The device of claim 1 , further comprises a covering on the stent.
10 . A system for creating a shunt between a first area and a second area having a lower pressure than the first area wherein the first area and second area are not connected prior to creating the shunt comprising:
a stent having an expanded configuration with a first end and a second end and a lumen extending between the first end and the second end; wherein the stent expands to its expanded configuration such that the first end and the second end flare and foreshorten to pull the first area and the second area flush together to create a connection with each other; and,
a delivery device for carrying the stent to an implantation site.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the delivery device comprises a balloon.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first end and the second end of the stent, in their flared state, grip an interior wall of the first area and an interior wall of the second area.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the expanded configuration of the stent is biased toward a shortened length relative to a compressed configuration, such that the first end and the second end of the stent are pulled toward each other clamping tissue of the first area and the second area.