Patent ID: 8591538
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for positioning a self-expanding cannula within a human or an animal patient having a skin, the method comprising: positioning a proximal end of the self-expanding cannula in or adjacent a wall of the patient, the self-expanding cannula comprising a body encompassing a lumen, wherein the body of the self-expanding cannula is capable of passively expanding said lumen from a closed diameter to an opened diameter; positioning a distal end of the self-expanding cannula through the skin of the patient to externally communicate the lumen of the self-expanding cannula with an external environment outside of the patient; and securing the distal end of the self-expanding cannula to an extracorporeal fluid handling system located in the external environment outside of the patient; thereby defining an operative position of the self-expanding cannula wherein, in the operative position, the proximal end is positioned in or adjacent the wall, and the distal end protrudes through the skin to provide communication of the lumen of the self-expanding cannula with the fluid handling system located in the external environment outside of the patient.