Patent ID: 6068608
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method of providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during open heart surgery, wherein the heart has an ascending aorta, an aortic base, an aortic valve, an aortic arch, a coronary artery, and a subclavian artery, comprising the steps of:a) inserting an infusion catheter having a proximal end and a distal end into the ascending aorta, the catheter having a first lumen, a second lumen and a third lumen each extending between said proximal end and said distal end, said catheter having an expandable balloon proximate said distal end, said first lumen in fluid communication with said balloon, said catheter having an infusion opening in fluid communication with said second lumen and located at said catheter distal end, said catheter having a cardioplegia opening in fluid communication with said third lumen defined adjacent said balloon between said balloon and said catheter proximal end wherein said balloon comprises a flexible inner shell disposed about said catheter, and a resilient material disposed about said inner shell adapted to conform to said ascending aorta, said first lumen being in fluid communication with said flexible inner shell;b) advancing said infusion catheter upwardly into said ascending aorta such that said balloon is positioned above the aortic base and said catheter distal end including said infusion opening is positioned toward said aortic arch, said cardioplegia opening being positioned toward said aortic base;c) infusing oxygenated blood into said aorta via said catheter second lumen through said infusion opening;d) expanding said balloon to occlude said aorta with said resilient material compressing against and conforming to said aorta; ande) delivering a cardioplegia solution to said heart via said catheter third lumen through said cardioplegia opening to the heart.