Patch and method of providing dialysis

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing dialysis are described. The apparatus is a patch which provides structural support to a blood vessel, such as vein or fistula. The patch provides a location for puncturing the blood vessel with a needle, either at the puncture site or on the back side to prevent the needle from going through the blood vessel. The patch may also be palpated, allowing health care provider to easily locate a preferred puncture site. The method includes placing the patch on the blood vessel, and using the patch to provide a location for providing dialysis.

1 : A method comprising:
 affixing a patch to a blood vessel of a patient, such that the patch at least partially covers the surface of the blood vessel along a length of the blood vessel; and   surgically providing the blood vessel and patch below the surface of the skin of the patient.   
     
     
         2 : The method of  claim 1 , where said affixing includes suturing the patch to the blood vessel. 
     
     
         3 : The method of  claim 1 , where said affixing includes affixing the patch to a side of the blood vessel proximal to the skin. 
     
     
         4 : The method of  claim 1 , where said affixing includes affixing the patch to a side of the blood vessel distal to the skin. 
     
     
         5 : The method of  claim 4 , where said patch includes a first portion and a second portion that is more rigid than the first portion, and where said affixing includes suturing the first portion of the patch to the blood vessel. 
     
     
         6 : The method of  claim 4 , where said method includes providing an incision to the blood vessel, where said patch includes a first portion and a second portion that is more rigid than the first portion, and where said affixing includes suturing the first portion of the patch to an edge of the incision. 
     
     
         7 : The method of  claim 1 ,
 where said patch is a first patch,   where said affixing the first patch affixes the first patch to a side of the blood vessel proximal to the skin, and further comprising   affixing a second patch to the blood vessel at a location that at least partially overlaps the length of the blood vessel on a side of the blood vessel distal to the skin.   
     
     
         8 : The method of  claim 3 , further comprising
 inserting a needle connected to the catheter of a hemodialysis machine through the patch and into the blood vessel.   
     
     
         9 : The method of  claim 4 , further comprising
 inserting a needle connected to the catheter of a hemodialysis machine through the length of the blood vessel.   
     
     
         10 : The method of  claim 7 , further comprising
 inserting a needle connected to the catheter of a hemodialysis machine through the first patch and into the blood vessel of the a patient without puncturing the second patch   
     
     
         11 : The method of  claim 1 , where said blood vessel is a vein or a fistula. 
     
     
         12 : A method comprising:
 inserting a needle connected to the catheter of a hemodialysis machine through a patch on a proximal side of a blood vessel of a patient and into the blood vessel.   
     
     
         13 : The method of  claim 12 , where said patch is a first patch, where said blood vessel has a second patch on a distal side of the blood vessel, and where said inserting does not puncture the second patch. 
     
     
         14 : The method of  claim 12 , where said blood vessel is a vein or a fistula. 
     
     
         15 : The method of  claim 13 , where said second patch covers an incision in the blood vessel. 
     
     
         16 : The method of  claim 13 , where said inserting includes palpating the skin to determine the location of the second patch. 
     
     
         17 - 23 . (canceled)