Abstract: An apparatus for guiding cannulation with a dialysis needle of an arteriovenous dialysis access graft subcutaneously implanted in a body of a subject. The guiding apparatus comprises an elongated body member comprising a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, a distance between the longitudinal edges of the base portion being substantially equal to a lateral dimension of the aces graft, and an elongated tubular sleeve defining an pocket having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension configured to receive the body member. The body member is adapted to be received in the pocket of the sleeve for securing adjacent the subcutaneous access graft such that the inner surface of the base portion is aligned with a cannulation point of the graft for guiding location of a needle insertion.

Abstract: A method for rotatable selection of sites for cannulation of a subcutaneous vascular access vessel comprises the step of providing a template defining an opening for a plurality of zones, each of the plurality of zones configured for receiving a plurality of simultaneous cannulations accessing the vascular access vessel. The outer surface of the template is marked, the marking defining each of the plurality of zones for use as cannulation sites along the vascular access vessel. The template is positioned on the skin of the patient adjacent the subcutaneous vascular access vessel such that the opening aligns with the vascular access vessel, and the marking is used for selecting a first zone for a cannulation site into the vascular access vessel such that the cannulation site in the first zone is spaced from and not adjacent to a second zone used for cannulation immediately previously to the first zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for rotatable selection of sites for cannulation with a needle along a subcutaneous vascular access vessel. The cannulation site selection apparatus comprises a template having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of visible markings on the outer surface of the template. The template is adapted to be disposed adjacent the subcutaneous vascular access vessel such that the markings align with the cannulation sites along the vascular access vessel for selecting a site for cannulation with a needle into the vascular access vessel.

Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft configured to be implanted in a subject includes: at least one flexible conduit having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion is configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the at least one conduit from the first end portion to the second end portion; and at least one cannulation chamber positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one conduit. The chamber includes: an elongated housing having an inlet at a first end thereof and an outlet at a second, opposed end thereof, a posterior wall, a pair of sidewalls, and an open anterior portion defining a cannulation port; a self-sealing material extending across the cannulation port; and a longitudinal passageway defined by the housing and the self-sealing material that extends from the inlet to the outlet of the housing.

Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft configured to be implanted in a subject includes: at least one flexible conduit having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion is configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the at least one conduit; and at least one cannulation chamber positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one conduit. The chamber includes: an elongated housing having an inlet and an outlet, a posterior wall, a pair of sidewalls, and an open anterior portion defining a cannulation port; and a self-sealing material extending across the cannulation port. The posterior wall and the sidewalls of the housing are formed of a substantially rigid material.

Abstract: A cannulation chamber is provided for use with an arteriovenous graft including a flexible conduit. The cannulation chamber comprises an elongated body defining an annular passageway having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end. The body receives and surrounds the conduit in the passageway. The body comprises a self-sealing material and a cannulation port that exposes the self-sealing material. A flexible resilient elongated back plate is embedded in the body of the cannulation chamber such that the back plate extends generally parallel with and may partially surround the passageway. The back plate is formed of a substantially rigid material such that when a needle is inserted through the cannulation port and the self-sealing material, the needle is inhibited or prevented from extending through the back plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of a vascular arteriovenous graft comprises a tubular sleeve defining an interior lumen adapted for being slidably positioned over a tunneling instrument. Once the tunneling instrument has been advanced to a desired subcutaneous anatomical location the shaft is removed while the sleeve remains in the tissue. The sleeve has a linear slit extending from a proximal end to a point intermediate the length of the sleeve. The lumen receives the distal end of the graft and at least a portion of a cannulation chamber such that the end of the sleeve progressively expands along the slit to provide an enlarged diameter for accommodating the cannulation chamber. Longitudinal force to the sleeve during removal of the sleeve from the tissue secures the graft in the sleeve by radial compression of the sleeve for pulling the graft and the sleeve through the tunnel and deploying the vascular graft.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding cannulation with a dialysis needle of an arteriovenous dialysis access graft subcutaneously implanted in a body of a subject. The guiding apparatus comprises an elongated body member comprising a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, a distance between the longitudinal edges of the base portion being substantially equal to a lateral dimension of the aces graft, and an elongated tubular sleeve defining an pocket having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension configured to receive the body member. The body member is adapted to be received in the pocket of the sleeve for securing adjacent the subcutaneous access graft such that the inner surface of the base portion is aligned with a cannulation point of the graft for guiding location of a needle insertion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for subcutaneous implantation in a patient using a tunneling instrument. The implantation apparatus comprises a vascular graft and a connector adapted to couple a distal end of the tunneling instrument and a proximal end of the graft. The connector comprises a tip, a first end of the tip configured to be received within the proximal end of the graft, a clip for securing the graft to the tip, and a coupler for a rotatable connection of the tip to the tunneling instrument such that the tip is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the coupler to facilitate attachment of the graft to the tunneling instrument. The implantation apparatus may further comprise a removable sheath configured to substantially cover the length of the graft.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding cannulation with a dialysis needle of an arteriovenous dialysis access graft subcutaneously implanted in a body of a subject. The guiding apparatus comprises an elongated body member comprising a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, a distance between the longitudinal edges of the base portion being substantially equal to a lateral dimension of the aces graft, and an elongated tubular sleeve defining an pocket having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension configured to receive the body member. The body member is adapted to be received in the pocket of the sleeve for securing adjacent the subcutaneous access graft such that the inner surface of the base portion is aligned with a cannulation point of the graft for guiding location of a needle insertion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for subcutaneous implantation in a patient using a tunneling instrument. The implantation apparatus comprises a vascular graft and a connector adapted to couple a distal end of the tunneling instrument and a proximal end of the graft. The connector comprises a tip, a first end of the tip configured to be received within the proximal end of the graft, a clip for securing the graft to the tip, and a coupler for a rotatable connection of the tip to the tunneling instrument such that the tip is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the coupler to facilitate attachment of the graft to the tunneling instrument. The implantation apparatus may further comprise a removable sheath configured to substantially cover the length of the graft.

Abstract: A method for rotatable selection of sites for cannulation of a subcutaneous vascular access vessel comprises the step of providing a template defining an opening for a plurality of zones, each of the plurality of zones configured for receiving a plurality of simultaneous cannulations accessing the vascular access vessel. The outer surface of the template is marked, the marking defining each of the plurality of zones for use as cannulation sites along the vascular access vessel. The template is positioned on the skin of the patient adjacent the subcutaneous vascular access vessel such that the opening aligns with the vascular access vessel, and the marking is used for selecting a first zone for a cannulation site into the vascular access vessel such that the cannulation site in the first zone is spaced from and not adjacent to a second zone used for cannulation immediately previously to the first zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for subcutaneous implantation in a patient using a tunneling instrument. The implantation apparatus comprises a vascular graft and a connector adapted to couple a distal end of the tunneling instrument and a proximal end of the graft. The connector comprises a tip, a first end of the tip configured to be received within the proximal end of the graft, a clip for securing the graft to the tip, and a coupler for a rotatable connection of the tip to the tunneling instrument such that the tip is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the coupler to facilitate attachment of the graft to the tunneling instrument. The implantation apparatus may further comprise a removable sheath configured to substantially cover the length of the graft.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for rotatable selection of sites for cannulation with a needle along a subcutaneous vascular access vessel. The cannulation site selection apparatus comprises a template having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of visible markings on the outer surface of the template. The template is adapted to be disposed adjacent the subcutaneous vascular access vessel such that the markings align with the cannulation sites along the vascular access vessel for selecting a site for cannulation with a needle into the vascular access vessel.

Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft configured to be implanted in a subject includes: at least one flexible conduit having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion is configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the at least one conduit; and at least one cannulation chamber positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one conduit. The chamber includes: an elongated housing having an inlet and an outlet, a posterior wall, a pair of sidewalls, and an open anterior portion defining a cannulation port; and a self-sealing material extending across the cannulation port. The posterior wall and the sidewalls of the housing are formed of a substantially rigid material.

Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft configured to be implanted in a subject includes: at least one flexible conduit having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion is configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the at least one conduit; and at least one cannulation chamber positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one conduit. The chamber includes: an elongated housing having an inlet and an outlet, a posterior wall, a pair of sidewalls, and an open anterior portion defining a cannulation port; and a self-sealing material extending across the cannulation port. The posterior wall and the sidewalls of the housing are formed of a substantially rigid material.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding cannulation with a dialysis needle of an arteriovenous dialysis access graft subcutaneously implanted in a body of a subject. The guiding apparatus comprises an elongated body member comprising a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, a distance between the longitudinal edges of the base portion being substantially equal to a lateral dimension of the aces graft, and an elongated tubular sleeve defining an pocket having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension configured to receive the body member. The body member is adapted to be received in the pocket of the sleeve for securing adjacent the subcutaneous access graft such that the inner surface of the base portion is aligned with a cannulation point of the graft for guiding location of a needle insertion.

Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft is configured to be implanted in a body of a subject. The arteriovenous dialysis graft comprises a flexible conduit defining a longitudinal flow passageway. The conduit has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the longitudinal flow passageway of the conduit from the first end portion to the second end portion. The graft further comprises a first cannulation chamber and a spaced second cannulation chamber with the conduit extending through each of the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber is positioned between the first end portion and the second chamber, and the second chamber is positioned between the second end portion and the first chamber. A valve device is positioned between the first cannulation chamber and the second cannulation chamber for controlling fluid flow.

Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft configured to be implanted in a subject includes: at least one flexible conduit having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion is configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the at least one conduit; and at least one cannulation chamber positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one conduit. The chamber includes: an elongated housing having an inlet and an outlet, a posterior wall, a pair of sidewalls, and an open anterior portion defining a cannulation port; and a self-sealing material extending across the cannulation port. The posterior wall and the sidewalls of the housing are formed of a substantially rigid material.

Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft configured to be implanted in a subject includes: at least one flexible conduit having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion is configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the at least one conduit; and at least one cannulation chamber positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one conduit. The chamber includes: an elongated housing having an inlet and an outlet, a posterior wall, a pair of sidewalls, and an open anterior portion defining a cannulation port; and a self-sealing material extending across the cannulation port. The posterior wall and the sidewalls of the housing are formed of a substantially rigid material.