Importance

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Abstract

A catheter system is provided for creating a fistula between blood vessels, using a first catheter with a piercing tool adjacent its distal end, and a second catheter with a receptor adjacent its distal end. The receptor includes an opening and a channel providing a guide surface for receiving the piercing tool. The receptor and piercing tool include one or more magnets to draw the piercing tool into the channel of the receptor. The piercing tool and the receptor are provided with a complementary configuration, such as a mating conical shapes. A third catheter may be provided with a double balloon for use in sealing off the fistula site. The piercing tool may be provided on a metal guidewire that includes a lumen with a distal opening. The piercing tool may include a base and a needle coupled to the base at a nominal angle of at least about 20-degrees. The piercing tool may be selectively moved between an extended position wherein the needle is positioned outside the guidewire at the nominal angle and a retracted position wherein the needle is positioned substantially within the guidewire.

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First Claim