A system for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula comprises a vessel access sheath having a hollow interior and an exit port, a side access needle catheter configured to fit within the hollow interior of the sheath, a needle configured to be inserted into a blood vessel through the side access needle catheter, a toggle delivery catheter configured to fit within the hollow interior of the sheath, and a toggle apparatus configured to be delivered into a vessel through the toggle delivery catheter. The toggle apparatus comprises a shaft and a toggle member pivotably attached to a distal end of the shaft. A source of RF energy or resistive heat energy may be provided for application to the toggle member and/or to a heater insert in the toggle delivery catheter, for the purpose of creating the fistula.

Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

A delivery system for delivering an implant to a first space within a body of a patient including an elongate delivery member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen and a receiving area, the receiving area dimensioned for receipt of the implant. A deforming member is movable with respect to the delivery member from a first position to a second position to apply a force to the implant to deform the implant positioned in the receiving area of the delivery member.

An apparatus for determining alignment between a source device and a target device includes the source device, the target device, and a processing system. The source device includes a first spatially variant field generator for generating a first spatially variant electric field, and a second spatially variant field generator for generating a second spatially variant electric field. The second spatially variant electric field is angularly offset with respect to the first spatially variant electric field. The target device includes a sensor configured to detect a first signal from the first spatially variant electric field and a second signal from the second spatially variant electric field. The processing system is configured to determine alignment between the first source device and the target device based on the first and second signals from the first and second spatially variant electric fields by the target device.

A vein cover that can reduce or prevent intimal thickening by delivering blood to the downstream veins while gradually buffering the blood pressure, pulse pressure, and blood flow rate of the blood flowing through the lumen is provided.

A cylindrical vein cover (10) is to be placed outside a vein (4) that is anastomosed to an artery (3) or to an artificial vessel (5), and has a portion (A) that has a 10% elastic index of 25 N or less when the inner diameter of the vein cover (10) is expanded by 10% from its natural state.

A shunt comprises a central flow portion configured to fit at least partially within an opening in a tissue wall. The tissue wall is situated between a first anatomical chamber and a second anatomical chamber and the opening represents a blood flow path between the first anatomical chamber and the second anatomical chamber. The central flow portion is further configured to maintain the blood flow path from the first anatomical chamber to the second anatomical chamber. The shunt further comprises a barrier configured to alter growth of tissue around the shunt.

A tubular tissue transformer (TTT) for a tubular tissue structure. The tubular tissue transformer has a plurality of leaves and a plurality of retainers on each of the plurality of leaves. Each retainer retains the tubular tissue structure on the respective leaf. Also provided are a coupling system to coupling tubular tissue structures together and tools and methods for attaching and widening otubular tissue structures.

A protection cover (1) for an anastomotic part in which a first blood vessel is joined to a second blood vessel, having a tubular portion (2) that is configured to cover an outside of the first blood vessel, and a planar portion (4) that is configured to cover an outside of the second blood vessel, the protection cover (1) comprising a knitted fabric which is formed from continuous yarn extending from the tubular portion (2) to the planar portion (4).

Provided herein are novel devices for the formation of arteriovenous fistulas, which may aid subjects in need of hemodialysis. The novel devices are provided in a non-surgical procedure, greatly decreasing the cost and increasing the convenience of placing an arteriovenous fistula. The devices are atraumatic, and consist of a sutureless anastomosis device and conduit. Methods and tools for placing the devices in vivo are disclosed, including a magnetic-assisted method.

A device and method for diverting a portion of oxygenated blood from a lower pressure region, e.g., left atrium or pulmonary vein, and providing it to the aorta, bypassing the left ventricle, operating at least in part, on the Venturi effect. The device includes a first conduit that diverts a portion of blood from the aorta to a parallel flow path. The device includes a second conduit that delivers blood from the lower pressure region to the first conduit. The blood from the lower pressure region in the second conduit is combined with the blood from the aorta in the first conduit and returned to the aorta. The second conduit is coupled to the first conduit at or near a narrow segment of the first conduit. A Venturi effect at or near the narrow segment draws the blood from the lower pressure region into the first and/or second conduit.