Unitary body systems and devices and methods to use the same for retroperfusion

Abstract

Unitary body systems and devices and methods to use the same for retroperfusion. In an exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device comprises a unitary body having a wall and a lumen defined therethrough, a first portion terminating at a first end and configured for at least partial placement within a mammalian artery, a first valve positioned at or near an end of the first portion opposite the first end, a second portion terminating at a second end and configured for at least partial placement within a mammalian vein, and a second valve positioned at or near an end of the second portion opposite the second end.

1 . A perfusion device, comprising:
 a first elongated portion terminating at a first end of the device and configured for at least partial placement within a mammalian artery;   a second elongated portion terminating at an opposite second end of the device and configured for at least partial placement within a mammalian vein; and   a first valve and a second valve, each positioned away from the first end and the second end;   wherein, in use, the device is configured to permit a flow of blood from the artery, through the device, and into the vein.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve is positioned at or near an end of the first portion opposite the first end, and wherein the second valve is positioned at or near and end of the second portion opposite the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is relatively shorter than the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion have a similar or equal length. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve is a first one-way valve, and wherein the second valve is a second one-way valve. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a segment between the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve is sized and shaped to receive at least part of a first guidewire therethrough, and wherein the second valve is sized and shaped to receive at least part of a second guidewire therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a balloon positioned within or coupled to the second portion, wherein, in use, the balloon is used to ensure retrograde flow of blood.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a balloon positioned within or coupled to the second portion, wherein, in use, the balloon is used to hold/anchor a portion of the device in place within a patient's vasculature.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flarable tip defined at or coupled to the second end of the device.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is tapered. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the device comprises a segment between the first one-way valve and the second one way-valve, the device is configured so that a first angle ranging from above 0° to 180° can be formed relative to the first portion and the segment and/or a second angle ranging from above 0° to 180° can be formed relative to the second portion and the segment. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 positioning a first portion of a perfusion device within an artery, wherein a first guidewire is positioned through part of the first portion of the device into the artery, and positioning a second portion of a perfusion device within an vein, wherein a second guidewire is positioned through part of the second portion of the device into the vein; and   removing the first guidewire from the first part of the device and removing the second guidewire from the second part of the device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the device is as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the part of the first portion is the first one-way valve, and wherein the part of the second portion is the second one-way valve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein blood can flow from the artery, through the perfusion device, and into the vein. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 bending the perfusion device to form a desired angle within the device.   
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising the step of positioning the device of  claim 1  within a mammalian patient so that the first portion is positioned within an artery and so that the second portion is positioned within a vein. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the positioning step is performed by positioning a first portion of a perfusion device within the artery, wherein a first guidewire is positioned through part of the first portion of the device into the artery, and positioning a second portion of a perfusion device within the vein, wherein a second guidewire is positioned through part of the second portion of the device into the vein. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the positioning step is further performed by advancing a first dilator over the first guidewire before positioning the first portion of the perfusion device into the artery and by advancing a second dilator over the second guidewire before positioning the second portion of the perfusion device into the vein. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising one or more of the steps of, in any order:
 (a) implanting a retroperfusion device into a patient so that a first part of the device is in communication with an artery and that a second part of the device is in communication with a vein and so that blood can flow from the artery, through the device, and into the vein;   (b) bending the device so that one or more desired angles and/or bends are present along at least part of the device, so to obtain a desired pressure drop through the device;   (c) configuring one or more lengths and/or one or more diameters of the device and/or of parts of the device based upon use within the patient, a height of the patient, a blood pressure of the patient, and/or a flow of blood through the artery and/or the vein of the patient; and   (d) selecting a suitable device from a plurality of available devices, the suitable device selected based upon the one or more lengths and/or the one or more diameters of the device and/or of parts of the device based upon use within the patient, the height of the patient, the blood pressure of the patient, and/or the flow of blood through the artery and/or the vein of the patient.