STENT TYPE AV FLOW RESTRICTORS

Abstract

A stent is provided with a central portion between two end portions, and with the central portion narrower than the end portions to provide a stenosis within the stent, such as for improving function of a dialysis graft or fistula. The stent can be merely a metal wire cage or can additionally include a liner inside and/or outside of the metal cage. One stent includes tapering transitions between the end portions and the central portion. The stent can be self-expanding with a retracted form held by a surrounding sheath until the sheath is retracted and the stent returns to its biased expanded form. A balloon can provide a radial expansion force to expand the stent. The balloon or self-expansion can expand the stent partially, with the central portion narrower than the end portions, and optionally further expanded to have a diameter matching that of the end portions.

CPC Classifications