Vascular Graft

Abstract

A vascular access graft comprises an elongate conduit having proximal and distal ends. At least a portion of the elongate conduit has a self-sealing property such that the portion remains impermeable after puncturing by a dialysis needle. The vascular access graft also comprises a helical fin projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the elongate conduit and extending parallel to the axis of the elongate conduit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A vascular access graft comprising:
 an elongate conduit having distal and proximal ends and a length therebetween, an inner surface, an exterior and a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of the elongate conduit having a self-sealing property such that the portion remains impermeable after puncturing by a dialysis needle; and   a helical fin projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the elongate conduit, having a first and a second end and a length therebetween, and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate conduit.   
     
     
         17 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 16  wherein the helical fin extends from the distal end of the elongate conduit to a termination point which is short of the proximal end of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 17  wherein the helical fin extends from the distal end of the elongate conduit for less than 50% of the total length of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         19 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 16  wherein the helical fin has a helix angle of between 5° and 20°. 
     
     
         20 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 19  wherein the helix angle of the helical fin changes over the length of the helical fin. 
     
     
         21 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 16  wherein the helical fin consists of between 50% and 150% of one single revolution. 
     
     
         22 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 17  further comprising an external palpable protrusion positioned on the exterior of the elongate conduit, wherein the positioning of the protrusion on the elongate conduit corresponds to the position of the termination point of the helical fin between the distal and proximal ends of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         23 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 22  wherein the external palpable protrusion is a palpable ring which completely or partially encircles the exterior of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         24 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 22  wherein the external palpable protrusion extends between 1 mm and 4 mm from the exterior of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         25 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 22  wherein the external palpable protrusion has a length of between 3 mm and 6 mm along the length of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         26 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 16  further comprising an external helical formation extending axially around the exterior of the elongate conduit, for supporting the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         27 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 26  wherein the helix angle of the external helical formation is greater than the helix angle of the helical fin. 
     
     
         28 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 26  wherein the external helical formation has a helix angle of greater than 50°. 
     
     
         29 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 22  further comprising an axially extending external deformation helix located around the exterior of the elongate conduit, wherein the axially extending external deformation helix deforms the elongate conduit so as to provide the helical fin projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the elongate conduit, such that the helical fin corresponds to the axially extending external deformation helix, and wherein the external palpable protrusion is an integral part of the deformation helix. 
     
     
         30 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 29  wherein the elongate conduit is made from ePTFE, and the axially extending external deformation helix and external palpable protrusion are made from polyurethane. 
     
     
         31 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 17  wherein the helical fin extends from the distal end of the elongate conduit for less than 25% of the total length of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         32 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 17  wherein the helical fin extends from the distal end of the elongate conduit for less than 15% of the total length of the elongate conduit. 
     
     
         33 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 16  wherein the helical fin has a helix angle of between 8° and 16°. 
     
     
         34 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 16  wherein the helical fin consists of between 80% and 120% of one single revolution. 
     
     
         35 . The vascular access graft according to  claim 22  wherein the external palpable protrusion extends 2 mm from the exterior of the elongate conduit.