Importance

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Abstract

A vascular access fistula includes a smooth, continuous PTFE tube having a hard sintered tube section integrally joined at its opposing ends with expanded PTFE tube sections. Inlet and outlet access port holes are formed in the hard sintered tube section to provide acute access to the fistula. A port collar surrounds the hard sintered tube section to facilitate the attachment of dual lumen tubing thereto. Following implantation of the access fistula, the dual lumen tubing temporarily extends through the skin to provide acute access while the access fistula heals. The port collar houses a slide valve which selectively couples the inlet and outlet access port holes to the dual lumen tubing for acute access. After the access fistula has healed, the slide valve is closed, the dual lumen tubing is cut off from the port collar, and chronic vascular access is provided by percutaneous cannulation of the implanted PTFE tube.

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First Claim