Patent ID: 6183462
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A method of mounting a vessel cannula in a vessel wherein the vessel is a coronary artery comprising the steps of:providing a cannula comprising:a first body portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen formed therein, the lumen having an axis and extending between the proximal and distal ends, the first body portion having a first flexural rigidity; anda second body portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen formed therein, the lumen having an axis and extending between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the second body portion being mounted to the distal end of the first body portion so that the lumens of the first and second body portions are fluidly connected to one another, and the second body portion having a second flexural rigidity wherein the second flexural rigidity is greater than approximately two times the first flexural rigidity so that the second body portion is more rigid and less easily deformed than the first body portion;providing an aperture in the coronary artery;grasping the second body portion of the cannula and then inserting the distal end of the second body portion into the aperture; andpositioning the first body portion of the cannula with respect to the second body portion so that the axes of the lumens of the first and second body portions are not aligned with one another;providing a source of oxygenated blood; andfluidly connecting the proximal end of the first body portion of the cannula to the source of oxygenated blood so that said oxygenated blood may be delivered to the coronary artery.