Luminal grafts and methods of making and using the same. An exemplary luminal graft of the present disclosure is configured as a generally tubular element configured for nerve cells to grow therethrough and comprises at least one sheet of biological tissue having elastin fibers and collagen fibers, with the elastin fibers being a dominant component thereof; and a plurality of microchannels formed on a surface of the at least one sheet of biological tissue, each of the microchannels extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end of the at least one sheet of biological tissue and configured to provide intraluminal structural guidance to nerve cells proliferating therethrough.

An apparatus and method for capturing material within a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core wire extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, an actuator member defining a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the core wire, and a distal basket having a distal enclosed end fixed relative to the core wire and one or more elements extending from a proximal open end to a collar slidable on the core wire. The collar is slidable on the core wire within an interior of the distal basket such that, when the collar contacts the actuator member, the collar applies an inward force to direct the proximal open end of the distal basket radially inwardly.

A self-sealing tubular graft is provided for implantation within a patient's body that includes an elongate tubular body including first and second self-sealing cannulation regions and a loop region extending between the first and second cannulation regions. The loop region includes one or more reinforcement members attached to a first length of the loop region and extending at least partially around a circumference of the tubular body. For example, the reinforcement members may include one or more sinusoidal or zigzag members extending along the first length with alternating peaks and valleys extending at least partially around a circumference of the tubular body. Self-sealing patches are also provided that include one or more reinforcement members embedded within base material.

A self-closing device for implantation within a patient's body includes base material including an inner surface area for securing the base material to a tissue structure, and a plurality of support elements surrounding or embedded in the base material. The support elements are separable laterally within a plane of the base material to accommodate creating an opening through the base material for receiving one or more instruments through the base material, and biased to return laterally towards a relaxed state for self-closing the opening after removing the one or more instruments. The device may be provided as a patch or integrally attached to a tubular graft or in various shapes.

This document relates to the apparatus and methods used in the minimally invasive creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In particular, the invention relates to the creation of an AVF using catheters and an alignment methodology that is based upon detection of asymmetric electric fields. The invention finds particular application in vascular access (VA) in the hemodialysis (HD) population.

Various systems, devices, and methods for endovascular implants and accurate placement thereof are disclosed. The implants include a proximal implant segment, a distal implant segment, connector struts connecting the proximal implant segment to the distal implant segment, and a side opening between the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment. The implants can be used to create an arteriovenous fistula or connect one vessel of the body to another by placement of the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment within the vessels to be connected. The implants can have an hourglass shape. The implants can include a continuous strut or ring at a distal edge of the proximal implant segment. Also disclosed are methods for accurate percutaneous placement of the implants disclosed, and a device for percutaneous delivery.

The invention relates to generally to a vascular access graft that includes a magnetic element disposed about a flow tube for guiding a blood flow between an arterial end adapted for arterial anastomosis to a portion of an artery, and a venous end adapted for venous anastomosis to a portion of a vein. The magnetic element may include a plurality of magnets disposed about the flow tube so that a magnetic field may be applied to blood flowing therein; the magnetic element may alternatively include a circuitry configured to generate a magnetic field applied to the flow tube.

Systems for forming a fistula between two blood vessels are provided. In embodiments, the system may include a catheter having a housing and a treatment portion coupled to the housing. The treatment portion may include a thermoelectric generator comprising an exposed surface exposed outside of the housing and a concealed surface opposite and electrically connected to the exposed surface. The thermoelectric generator may be configured to produce a temperature differential between the exposed surface and the concealed surface when an electric current is applied to one of the exposed surface and the concealed surface thereby producing the temperature differential between the exposed surface and the concealed surface such that the exposed surface is heated to a temperature greater than the concealed surface to weld the two blood vessels together.

The invention relates to restricting flow through a vascular access site such as an arteriovenous (AV) fistula or a graft using intravascular measurements to guide the procedure. The invention provides systems and methods for using intravascular detection to guide the restriction of flow through an AV fistula or graft. An intravascular instrument such as an imaging catheter or guidewire with measuring capabilities is inserted into a vessel proximal to an access site and used to evaluate the access site, which is banded to obtain healthy flow as indicated by the intravascular instrument. In certain aspects, the invention provides a method for improving a hemodialysis fistula or graft by inserting an intravascular instrument into a vessel proximal to the fistula or graft, making a measurement with the intravascular instrument, and restricting flow through the fistula or graft until the measurement obtains a predetermined value.

Various systems, devices, and methods for endovascular implants and placement thereof are disclosed. The implants include a proximal implant segment, a distal implant segment, connector struts connecting the proximal implant segment to the distal implant segment, and a side opening between the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment. The implants can be used to create an arteriovenous fistula or connect one vessel of the body to another by placement of the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment within the vessels to be connected. The implants can include one or more anchors for securing the implant in place with respect to the vessels of the body it is connecting. The implants can also include a continuous strut or ring at a distal edge of the proximal implant segment. Also disclosed are methods for percutaneous placement of the implants, and a device for percutaneous delivery.