Arterial shunt
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward an arterial shunts for use during vascular surgery. Some embodiments are useful during an endarterectomy, and may be configured for use with specific arteries (e.g., carotid). Additional embodiments may be configured with a filter to prevent clots or plaque from traveling through the shunt, and with a flow meter to provide indication of how much or how little blood is actually passing through the shunt.
1. A medical shunt, comprising:
a first tubular element having a first connection end and an input end;
a second tubular element having a second connection end and an output end, the second connection end being connected to the first connection end such that the second tubular element and the first tubular element are in fluid communication;
an inline filter disposed within the shunt such that the filter removes impurities from fluid flowing from the input end to the output end;
a flow sensor disposed within the first, second, or third tubular element;
a first balloon element disposed on the first tubular element near the input end;
a second balloon element disposed on the second tubular element near the output end;
a third tubular element having a third connection end and a distal end, the third connection end connected to the first and second connection ends such that the third tubular element is in fluid communication with the first and second tubular elements; and
a housing connected at the distal end of the third tubular element, the housing comprising:
a flush port in fluid communication with the first and second tubular elements,
a flow meter comprising a two-sided digital flow indicator, having a digital meter display on opposing sides of the indicator, in electrical communication with the flow sensor, and
a balloon inflation port in fluid communication with at least one of the first balloon element or the second balloon element.
2. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a port for administering medication through the shunt.
3. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a second balloon inflation port, the second balloon inflation port being in fluid communication with the second balloon element and the balloon inflation port being in fluid communication with the first balloon element.
4. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the flow meter comprises an auditory module.
5. The shunt of claim 4 , wherein the auditory module output information relating to blood flow between the input and output ends.
6. The shunt of claim 4 , wherein the auditory module emits an audible signal when blood flow between the input and output ends is occluded.
7. The shunt of claim 4 , wherein the auditory module is disposed within the housing.
8. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the filter is a heparin-bonded filter.
9. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the filter is disposed inline within the first and second tubular elements.
10. The shunt of claim 9 , wherein the filter is located at a junction of the first, second, and third connection ends.
11. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the second tubular element has a smaller gauge than the first tubular element.
12. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the first tubular element has a gauge of 9 or 11 French.
13. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the second tubular element has a gauge of 9 French.
14. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the input and output ends are rounded.
15. The shunt of claim 1 , wherein the shunt is self-powered from blood flow.
16. A medical shunt, comprising:
a first tubular element having a first connection end and an input end;
a second tubular element having a second connection end and an output end, the second connection end being connected to the first connection end such that the second tubular element and the first tubular element are in fluid communication;
an inline filter disposed within the shunt such that the filter removes impurities from fluid flowing from the input end to the output end;
a flow sensor disposed within the first, second, or third tubular element;
a first balloon element disposed on the first tubular element near the input end;
a second balloon element disposed on the second tubular element near the output end;
a third tubular element having a third connection end and a distal end, the third connection end connected to the first and second connection ends such that the third tubular element is in fluid communication with the first and second tubular elements; and
a housing connected at the distal end of the third tubular element, the housing comprising:
a flush port in fluid communication with the first and second tubular elements,
a flow meter comprising a two-sided digital flow indicator, having a digital meter display on opposing sides of the indicator, in electrical communication with the flow sensor,
a balloon inflation port in fluid communication with at least one of the first balloon element or the second balloon element,
a port for administering medication through the shunt, and
a second balloon inflation port, the second balloon inflation port being in fluid communication with the second balloon element and the balloon inflation port being in fluid communication with the first balloon element,
wherein the shunt is self-powered from blood flow.
17. A medical shunt, comprising:
a first tubular element having a first connection end and an input end;
a second tubular element having a second connection end and an output end, the second connection end being connected to the first connection end such that the second tubular element and the first tubular element are in fluid communication, wherein the second tubular element has a smaller or equal gauge than the first tubular element;
an inline filter disposed within the shunt such that the filter removes impurities from fluid flowing from the input end to the output end;
a flow sensor disposed within the first, second, or third tubular element;
a first balloon element disposed on the first tubular element near the input end;
a second balloon element disposed on the second tubular element near the output end;
a third tubular element having a third connection end and a distal end, the third connection end connected to the first and second connection ends such that the third tubular element is in fluid communication with the first and second tubular elements; and
a housing connected at the distal end of the third tubular element, the housing comprising:
a flush port in fluid communication with the first and second tubular elements,
a flow meter comprising a two-sided digital flow indicator, having a digital meter display on opposing sides of the indicator, in electrical communication with the flow sensor, and
a balloon inflation port in fluid communication with at least one of the first balloon element or the second balloon element.
18. The shunt of claim 17 , wherein the shunt is self-powered from blood flow.
19. The shunt of claim 17 , wherein the filter is a heparin-bonded filter.