Abstract: A hemodialysis access method is provided for a patient. The method includes deploying a dialysis stent within an arterial venous (AV) fistula or graft, the dialysis stent including a shunt tube having (i) an elastic central restrictor segment that is integral with a wall of the shunt tube, (ii) an inlet end, (iii) an outlet end, and (iv) a central opening extending from the inlet end to the outlet end such that the central opening has a first diameter. The method further includes elastically adjusting the elastic central restrictor segment from the second diameter to the third diameter responsive to a balloon inflating to expand the elastic central restrictor segment, and from the third diameter back to the second diameter responsive to the balloon subsequently deflating.

Abstract: A stent assist system for use with a deployable stent system is provided. The deployable stent system includes a pusher rod and a stent coupled to the pusher rod. The stent assist system includes a shaft component and a number of stent assist bars. The shaft component is configured to move between an expanded state and a contracted state in order to allow for coupling to the pusher rod. The shaft component has an inner lumen configured to receive the pusher rod. The number of stent assist bars are coupled to the shaft component and configured to pivot between a retracted position and an expanded position in order to abut a wall of a branching vessel, and thereby allow for accurate placement of the stent within the branching vessel.

Abstract: An elastic dialysis stent comprises a central restrictor segment located between two tapered segments. The tapered segments are tapered from a larger diameter suitable for joining to tubular graft segments or attaching the stent in a graft or fistula, to the narrower diameter of the elastic central restrictor segment which provides a stenosis. The central restrictor is made of an elastic material which enables the stent to be radially expanded by a balloon catheter to a larger diameter for passage of endovascular devices through the stent for repair of blockages on the venous side of the stent. When the balloon catheter is deflated and removed, the elastic properties of the stent cause it to retract to its original stenotic configuration.

Abstract: An elastic dialysis stent comprises a central restrictor segment located between two tapered segments. The tapered segments are tapered from a larger diameter suitable for joining to tubular graft segments or attaching the stent in a graft or fistula, to the narrower diameter of the elastic central restrictor segment which provides a stenosis. The central restrictor is made of an elastic material which enables the stent to be radially expanded by a balloon catheter to a larger diameter for passage of endovascular devices through the stent for repair of blockages on the venous side of the stent. When the balloon catheter is deflated and removed, the elastic properties of the stent cause it to retract to its original stenotic configuration.

Abstract: A shunt comprising a flexible tube having a first, and a second end, and a central opening, having a first diameter that extends from the first end to the second end. The shunt also includes one or more restrictor bands having a second diameter around the flexible tube. The one or more restrictor bands are located between the first end and the second end of the flexible tube and the second diameter is less than the first diameter such that the restrictor band forms a restriction. The restrictor band is expandable between a first position and a second position. The restrictor band may have fracturable sections configured to fracture in responds to pressure thereby increasing a diameter of the one or more restrictor bands to a diameter greater than the second diameter. The one or more restrictor bands may comprise restrictor bands of at least two different inner diameters.

Abstract: A stent deployment apparatus is configured to be contained within a deployment sheath, and deploy a vascular stent at a deployment site in a blood vessel of vasculature of a body. The stent deployment apparatus includes a delivery sheath, a pusher shaft coupled to the delivery sheath, and at least one stent assist bar associated with the delivery sheath and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position responsive to separation from the deployment sheath, the at least one stent assist bar being adapted to be positioned in relation to a known feature of the vasculature. The pusher shaft is movable with respect to delivery sheath in order to vary the spatial relationship between the vascular stent and the at least one stent assist bar, and thereby dispose the vascular stent to a desired spacing within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method of clearing a blood clot in a dialysis catheter is provided. The method includes providing a medication reservoir containing clot dissolving medication, an infusion catheter, and an infusion catheter placement guide; accessing an exposed opening of the dialysis catheter; inserting a distal end of the infusion catheter into the exposed opening of the dialysis catheter; advancing the distal end of the infusion catheter through the exposed opening of the dialysis catheter; retracting the infusion catheter back into the dialysis catheter; after determining the location of the distal end of the infusion catheter in relation to the distal end of the dialysis catheter, performing a final adjustment of the location of the distal end of the infusion catheter; and providing medication through the infusion catheter, and out of the distal end of the infusion catheter, to the blood clot to dissolve the blood clot.

Abstract: An elastic dialysis stent comprises a central restrictor segment located between two tapered segments. The tapered segments are tapered from a larger diameter suitable for joining to tubular graft segments or attaching the stent in a graft or fistula, to the narrower diameter of the elastic central restrictor segment which provides a stenosis. The central restrictor is made of an elastic material which enables the stent to be radially expanded by a balloon catheter to a larger diameter for passage of endovascular devices through the stent for repair of blockages on the venous side of the stent. When the balloon catheter is deflated and removed, the elastic properties of the stent cause it to retract to its original stenotic configuration.

Abstract: A shunt comprising a flexible tube having a first, and a second end, and a central opening, having a first diameter that extends from the first end to the second end. The shunt also includes one or more restrictor bands having a second diameter around the flexible tube. The one or more restrictor bands are located between the first end and the second end of the flexible tube and the second diameter is less than the first diameter such that the restrictor band forms a restriction. The restrictor band is expandable between a first position and a second position. The restrictor band may have fracturable sections configured to fracture in responds to pressure thereby increasing a diameter of the one or more restrictor bands to a diameter greater than the second diameter. The one or more restrictor bands may comprise restrictor bands of at least two different inner diameters.

Abstract: A shunt comprising a flexible tube having a first, and a second end, and a central opening, having a first diameter that extends from the first end to the second end. The shunt also includes one or more restrictor bands having a second diameter around the flexible tube. The one or more restrictor bands are located between the first end and the second end of the flexible tube and the second diameter is less than the first diameter such that the restrictor band forms a restriction. The restrictor band is expandable between a first position and a second position. The restrictor band may have fracturable sections configured to fracture in responds to pressure thereby increasing a diameter of the one or more restrictor bands to a diameter greater than the second diameter. The one or more restrictor bands may comprise restrictor bands of at least two different inner diameters.

Abstract: A shunt comprising a flexible tube having a first, and a second end, and a central opening, having a first diameter that extends from the first end to the second end. The shunt also includes one or more restrictor bands having a second diameter around the flexible tube. The one or more restrictor bands are located between the first end and the second end of the flexible tube and the second diameter is less than the first diameter such that the restrictor band forms a restriction. The restrictor band is expandable between a first position and a second position. The restrictor band may have fracturable sections configured to fracture in responds to pressure thereby increasing a diameter of the one or more restrictor bands to a diameter greater than the second diameter. The one or more restrictor bands may comprise restrictor bands of at least two different inner diameters.

Abstract: A fabric arrangement is designed to prevent skin lines, wrinkle formation, or other skin damage while improving sleep using combinations of fabrics, cooling technologies and scents. The fabric arrangement is designed with a specific fabric and material combination that create a surface in which the shear stresses causing skin lines, wrinkles, and other skin damage are eliminated. Multiple layers making up the fabric arrangement include a top layer comprising a stretchable material and a second layer comprising a low friction material relative to the top layer. Supporting the first two layer is a support layer such as foam. Lower layers may comprise a cooling material, an antimicrobial or anti-allergenic material and a scent layer.

Abstract: A leg elevating device is provided that is formed from foam, an air bladder, or supportive sheets of material with straps or supports. The device elevates a user's legs when laying down such that the device has a front, a back, a first side and a second side. The device has a bottom surface having and a top surface located above the bottom surface, the top surface extending upward from a front edge, and two side edges toward to form a curved shaped. The one or more apexes are located above a back edge or above a middle of the bottom surface. The top surface ends at the back of the support material at a top surface back edge. Depending on the configuration a back surface connects to the back edge of the bottom surface, and extends upward to connect to the back of the top surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric arrangement and pillow designed to prevent skin lines and wrinkle formation while improving sleep using combinations of fabrics, cooling technologies and scents. The present invention is designed with a specific fabric and materials combination that create a surface in which the shear stresses causing skin lines and wrinkles are eliminated. Multiple layers make up the fabric arrangement include a top layer comprising a stretchable material and a second layer comprising a low friction material relative to the first layer. Supporting the first two layer is a support layer such as foam. Lower layers may comprise a cooling material, an antimicrobial or anti-allergenic material and a scent layer.

Abstract: A sponge holder includes a mount that has a mounting fixture and at least one mounting connector. The mounting connector is configured to fix the mount to a surface. The sponge holder further includes a suspension arm extending from the mounting fixture, and a connector disposed at a distal end of the suspension arm. The sponge includes an adapter, and the adapter is configured to connect with the connector of the sponge holder.

Abstract: The total body exercise apparatus comprises a unique movable structure to provide resistance for a variety of exercises. In one or more embodiments, the exercise apparatus comprises arms rotatably secured via a joint that allows the arms to provide resistance in virtually any direction. The exercise apparatus utilizes this capability to resist motions of various exercises and body motions to tone and strengthen a user's muscles. The resistance provided may be adjustable by an adjustable resistance assembly or by a cuff and socket assembly that applies variable force to a spherical head of the joint of the exercise apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric arrangement and pillow designed to prevent skin lines and wrinkle formation while improving sleep using combinations of fabrics, cooling technologies and scents. The present invention is designed with a specific fabric and materials combination that create a surface in which the shear stresses causing skin lines and wrinkles are eliminated. Multiple layers make up the fabric arrangement include a top layer comprising a stretchable material and a second layer comprising a low friction material relative to the first layer. Supporting the first two layer is a support layer such as foam. Lower layers may comprise a cooling material, an antimicrobial or anti-allergenic material and a scent layer.

Abstract: The improved exercise apparatus comprises a housing assembly having first and second arm members. The apparatus may be used to perform a variety of full body exercises generally by moving the first and second arms about an axial stem of the housing assembly. In one embodiment, the arm members rotate or pivot about the axial stem. A tension assembly provides resistance to the movement of the arm members while a positioning assembly allows the arm members to be positioned and secured in various positions relative to one another. One or more handle attachments may be provided to allow the apparatus to be grasped or used in various ways. A method of training various portions of the body with the apparatus is also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric arrangement and pillow designed to prevent skin lines and wrinkle formation while improving sleep using combinations of fabrics, cooling technologies and scents. The present invention is designed with a specific fabric and materials combination that create a surface in which the shear stresses causing skin lines and wrinkles are eliminated. Multiple layers make up the fabric arrangement include a top layer comprising a stretchable material and a second layer comprising a low friction material relative to the first layer. Supporting the first two layer is a support layer such as foam. Lower layers may comprise a cooling material, an antimicrobial or anti-allergenic material and a scent layer.

Abstract: The total body exercise apparatus comprises a unique movable structure to provide resistance for a variety of exercises. In one or more embodiments, the exercise apparatus comprises arms rotatably secured via a joint that allows the arms to provide resistance in virtually any direction. The exercise apparatus utilizes this capability to resist motions of various exercises and body motions to tone and strengthen a user's muscles. The resistance provided may be adjustable by an adjustable resistance assembly or by a cuff and socket assembly that applies variable force to a spherical head of the joint of the exercise apparatus.