Patent ID: 9717831
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: A61M

Claim:
1. A method of positioning a blood pump in a mammalian vasculature, the vasculature including a heart having a heart wall and a heart chamber, a heart valve, and a portion of the vasculature extending from the heart valve away from the heart, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining the blood pump, the blood pump including an elongated first cannula, a pump housing, and a second cannula; passing the first cannula through an incision at a low-pressure location on the heart wall and into the heart chamber; positioning a tip of a guidewire into the portion of the vasculature, distal to the heart valve; advancing the tip through the heart valve and into the heart chamber; connecting the tip to the first cannula; pulling the blood pump with the guidewire to advance at least a portion of the first cannula through the heart valve and into the portion of the vasculature; securing the blood pump to the heart wall; disconnecting the tip from the blood pump; and removing the guidewire from the patient.