Patent ID: 7381179
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for circulating blood in a patient comprising making an incision in one of the vena cava and the right atrium of the patient's heart, introducing into the one of the vena cava and the right atrium a first cannula providing a first flow path, introducing into the pulmonary artery a second cannula providing a second flow path, wherein the second cannula extends about 10 cm past the pulmonary valve, said second cannula extending past a kink zone in the pulmonary artery; operating a pump, at least a portion of which is sized and configured for placement within a chest cavity, and wherein a pump portion of the pump from which the first cannula extends is placed adjacent the incision, to intake blood from the one of the vena cava and right atrium through the first flow path, proximally toward said pump, and wherein the second cannula also extends from the pump; and operating the pump to output blood distally into the pulmonary artery through the second flow path, wherein the pump and the first and second cannulas, including the first and second flow paths, have a combined priming volume external of the heart, vena cava, and pulmonary artery of not greater than about 1000 ml; and wherein pumping of blood by the right ventricle of the patient's heart into the pulmonary artery is allowed; and wherein the entire pump and cannula system is positioned within the chest cavity.