Devices and methods for assisting valve function, replacing venous valves, and predicting valve treatment success

Abstract

Devices and methods for assisting valve function, replacing venous valves, and predicting valve treatment successes. In at least one embodiment of an endograft valve device of the present disclosure, the device comprises an endograft body configured for expansion from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within a luminal organ and comprising a first portion having a proximal end defining a proximal end aperture and a distal end defining a distal end aperture, the first portion tapering toward the distal end so that the distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal end aperture when the valve device is expanded, and a valve portion positioned at or near the distal end of the first portion, the valve portion configured to receive fluid flowing through the distal end aperture of the first portion.

1 . An endograft valve device comprising:
 a first portion having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer portion wall surface and an inner portion wall surface, wherein a tapered wall thickness is defined between the inner and outer portion wall surfaces, and wherein the inner portion wall surface further defines a lumen therethrough; and   wherein the first portion has a tapered wall thickness that has a greater wall thickness at the distal end than at the proximal end.   
     
     
         2 . The endograft valve device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second portion comprising a second portion outer portion wall surface and a second portion inner portion wall surface, wherein a tapered wall thickness is defined between the second portion inner wall surface and second portion outer portion wall surfaces;   the second portion inner wall surface further defining the lumen therethrough, the lumen extending from a second portion distal end to a second portion proximal end;   wherein the second portion has a tapered wall thickness that has a greater wall thickness at the second portion distal end than at the second portion proximal end; and   wherein the distal end of the first portion is adjacent to the second portion proximal end.   
     
     
         3 . The endograft valve device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a distal end aperture and a proximal end aperture and the distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal end aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The endograft valve device of  claim 2 , wherein a valve is coupled to a portion of the endograft body selected from the group consisting of the first portion at or near the distal end of the first portion and the second portion at or near the second portion proximal end. 
     
     
         5 . The endograft valve device of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion comprises a second portion distal end aperture and a second portion proximal end aperture, where the second portion distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the second portion proximal end aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The endograft valve device of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion comprises a distal end aperture and a proximal end aperture and the distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal end aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The endograft valve device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 the second portion having a second portion proximal end aperture in fluid communication with the distal end aperture of the first portion, and the second portion having a second portion distal end aperture wherein the second portion distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the second portion proximal end aperture.   
     
     
         8 . An endograft valve device, comprising:
 a first portion having a proximal end and a distal end;   a second portion comprising a second portion outer portion wall surface and a second portion inner portion wall surface, wherein a tapered wall thickness is defined between the second portion inner wall surface and second portion outer portion wall surfaces;   the second portion inner wall surface further defining the lumen therethrough, the lumen extending from a second portion distal end to a second portion proximal end;   wherein the second portion has a tapered wall thickness that has a greater wall thickness at the second portion distal end than at the second portion proximal end; and   wherein the distal end of the first portion is adjacent to the second portion proximal end.   
     
     
         9 . The endograft valve device of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion comprises a distal end aperture and a proximal end aperture; and
 the distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal end aperture.   
     
     
         10 . The endograft valve device of  claim 9 , wherein the second portion comprises a second portion distal end aperture and a second portion proximal end aperture; and
 the second portion distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the second portion proximal end aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The endograft valve device of  claim 8 , wherein the second portion comprises a second portion distal end aperture and a second portion proximal end aperture; and
 the second portion distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the second portion proximal end aperture.   
     
     
         12 . The endograft valve device of  claim 8 , wherein a valve is coupled to a portion of the endograft body selected from the group consisting of the first portion at or near the distal end of the first portion and the second portion at or near the second portion proximal end. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising an endograft valve device comprising:
 an endograft body comprising:   a first portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first outer portion wall surface and a first inner portion wall surface, wherein a tapered wall thickness is defined between the first inner portion wall surface and first outer portion wall surface, and wherein the first inner portion wall surface further defines a lumen therethrough;   wherein the first portion has a tapered wall thickness that has a greater wall thickness at the distal end than at the proximal end;   a second portion comprising a second portion inner portion wall surface, further defining the lumen therethrough, the lumen extending from a second portion distal end to a second portion proximal end;   wherein the distal end of the first portion is adjacent to the second portion proximal end; and   a valve coupled to a portion of the endograft body selected from the group consisting of the first portion at or near the distal end of the first portion and the second portion at or near the second portion proximal end.   
     
     
         14 . The system comprising an endograft valve device of  claim 13  wherein the first portion comprises a distal end aperture and a proximal end aperture and the distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal end aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The system comprising an endograft valve device of  claim 13  wherein the second portion comprises a second portion distal end aperture and a second portion proximal end aperture; and
 the second portion distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the second portion proximal end aperture. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system comprising an endograft valve device of  claim 14  wherein the second portion comprises a second portion distal end aperture and a second portion proximal end aperture; and
 the second portion distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the second portion proximal end aperture. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system comprising an endograft valve device of  claim 13  wherein the second portion proximal end is in fluid communication with the distal end of the first portion. 
     
     
         18 . The system comprising an endograft valve device of  claim 13  wherein the endograft body is configured for expansion from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within a luminal organ. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the collapsed configuration is sized so that the endograft body fits within the luminal organ, and wherein the expanded configuration is sized so that the endograft body is securely positioned within the luminal organ upon expansion. 
     
     
         20 . The system comprising an endograft valve device of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a cuff configured to fit around a blood vessel and further configured to periodically compress the blood vessel; and 
 a processor operably coupled to the cuff, the processor configured to control a compression rate and a relaxation rate; and 
 wherein when the cuff is positioned around the blood vessel at a first location, operation of the processor causes the cuff to compress the blood vessel and relax compression of the blood vessel, whereby relaxation at the relaxation rate causes blood to move through the blood vessel at the first location.