Abstract: An apparatus for storing and directing a guidewire used to guide an instrument is provided and includes a spool. The spool receives the guidewire and a spool wire. Rotation of the spool in a first direction retracts the guidewire and the spool wire around the spool. The apparatus also includes a wire connector that operatively couples the spool wire and the guidewire together. The apparatus further includes a housing that houses the spool. The housing includes first and second apertures. The first aperture is sized to prevent the wire connector from passing through the first aperture but allow the guidewire and the spool wire to pass through the first aperture. The second aperture is sized to allow the wire connector and the guidewire and the spool wire to pass through the second aperture. The first and second apertures merge together such that the guidewire and the spool wire may move between the first and second apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and directing a guidewire used to guide an instrument is provided and includes a spool. The spool receives the guidewire and a spool wire. Rotation of the spool in a first direction retracts the guidewire and the spool wire around the spool. The apparatus also includes a wire connector that operatively couples the spool wire and the guidewire together. The apparatus further includes a housing that houses the spool. The housing includes first and second apertures. The first aperture is sized to prevent the wire connector from passing through the first aperture but allow the guidewire and the spool wire to pass through the first aperture. The second aperture is sized to allow the wire connector and the guidewire and the spool wire to pass through the second aperture. The first and second apertures merge together such that the guidewire and the spool wire may move between the first and second apertures.

Abstract: A hemodialytic angioacess device for implantation in dialysis patients, comprising an arteriovenous (AV) shunt, anastomotic valves that connect the AV shunt to blood vessels, a valve control system and an integrated surveillance system that measures flow conditions in the blood vessels at the AV shunt, preferably when the valves are closed and the patient is not undergoing dialysis treatment. The flow condition data, which may include data representing the flow rate, pressure, volume and velocity of blood flowing through the vessels, is stored in a memory and transmitted to a health care provider or technician on demand. The data can be used to calculate and monitor important physiological parameters, such as compliance and resistance, for the blood vessels, and help detect and identify dangerous conditions, such as turbulence and stasis, which can contribute to AV shunt failure, vessel injury and other serious complications for the patient.

Abstract: A hemodialytic angioacess device for implantation in dialysis patients, comprising an arteriovenous (AV) shunt, anastomotic valves that connect the AV shunt to blood vessels, a valve control system and an integrated surveillance system that measures flow conditions in the blood vessels at the AV shunt, preferably when the valves are closed and the patient is not undergoing dialysis treatment. The flow condition data, which may include data representing the flow rate, pressure, volume and velocity of blood flowing through the vessels, is stored in a memory and transmitted to a health care provider or technician on demand. The data can be used to calculate and monitor important physiological parameters, such as compliance and resistance, for the blood vessels, and help detect and identify dangerous conditions, such as turbulence and stasis, which can contribute to AV shunt failure, vessel injury and other serious complications for the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable modular AV shunt device, which is capable of monitoring and reporting its own patency, and which comprises a plurality of modular components that may be assembled and adjusted by the vascular surgeon during the implantation procedure, using well-known surgical techniques, in order to provide a custom fit and arrangement for the particular patient involved. The device comprises an arterial anastomotic valve that permits blood flowing through an artery to pass into the shunt device, a venous anastomotic valve that permits blood flowing through the shunt device to pass into a vein, a medial flow control unit, a first flexible shunt that carries blood from the arterial anastomotic valve to the medial flow control unit, a second flexible shunt that carries blood from the medial flow control unit to the venous anastomotic valve, and a valve control system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable modular AV shunt device, which is capable of monitoring and reporting its own patency, and which comprises a plurality of modular components that may be assembled and adjusted by the vascular surgeon during the implantation procedure, using well-known surgical techniques, in order to provide a custom fit and arrangement for the particular patient involved. The device comprises an arterial anastomotic valve that permits blood flowing through an artery to pass into the shunt device, a venous anastomotic valve that permits blood flowing through the shunt device to pass into a vein, a medial flow control unit, a first flexible shunt that carries blood from the arterial anastomotic valve to the medial flow control unit, a second flexible shunt that carries blood from the medial flow control unit to the venous anastomotic valve, and a valve control system.