Patent ID: 7090659
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of providing cardiac support comprising providing a first cannula body having a main lumen and a proximal opening and distal opening communicating with the main lumen, the first cannula body including a preformed bend near the distal opening, providing a second cannula body having an interior lumen and a distal opening communicating with the interior lumen, inserting the first cannula body through a first valve that leads into a heart chamber such that the distal opening of the first cannula body is located within the heart chamber, orienting the preformed bend toward a second valve that leads out of the heart chamber to a vascular region spaced from the heart chamber, inserting the second cannula body into the main lumen through the proximal opening, advancing the second cannula body through the preformed bend to direct the second cannula body beyond the distal opening of the first cannula body, into the heart chamber and through the second valve, such that the distal opening of the second cannula body resides within the vascular region, and bypassing the heart chamber by drawing blood into the main lumen of the first cannula body through an inlet upstream of the first valve, conveying the blood from the main lumen of the first cannula body into the interior lumen of the second cannula body, and discharging the blood into the vascular region through the distal opening of the second cannula body downstream of the second valve.