The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 22, 2001
John Ross, Bamberg, NC (US);
Vasca, Inc., Tewksbury, MA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides improved methods for establishing vascular access to a patient's body lumen or other target location, particularly blood vessels, for performing extracorporeal treatments, such as hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, plasmapheresis, apheresis, and the like, on circulating blood. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods which may enhance extracorporeal blood flow rates, reduce instances of fibrin sheath or thrombosis formation, and minimize recirculation effects. Methods for recirculating blood to a patient include placing a draw catheter so that a distal tip thereof is positioned in a right atrium of the patient's heart. A return catheter is placed so that a distal tip thereof is positioned in a superior vena cava. Extracorporeal blood flow from the draw catheter to the return catheter may then be established.