Patent Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided for delivering oxygenated blood to a patient undergoing cardiac surgery using a perfusion catheter having a distal end carrying first and second sealing members. When the perfusion catheter is inserted through an arteriotomy site, the first and second sealing members are disposed to engage opposite surfaces of a thickness of a vessel to apply pressure against the opposite surfaces of the thickness to seal blood perfused into the vessel from leaking through the arteriotomy site. Apparatus for placing the perfusion catheter, and methods of using the apparatus also are provided.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to catheters used to return oxygenated blood from a cardiopulmonary bypass machine to a patient during cardiac surgery. More specifically, the present invention relates to a perfusion catheter, and methods of use, that enable the catheter to be intraoperatively placed in the aorta using a sutureless arteriotomy seal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Each year hundreds of thousands of people are afflicted with vascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, that result in cardiac ischemia. For more than thirty years, such disease, especially of the coronary arteries, has been treated using open surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting. During such bypass grafting procedures, a sternotomy is performed to gain access to the pericardial sac, the patient is put on cardiopulmonary bypass, and the heart is stopped using a cardioplegia solution. 
     More recently, techniques are being developed, for example, by Heartport, Inc., Redwood City, Calif., that permit cardiac surgery using an endoscopic approach, in which small access openings are created between the ribs. The bypass graft or heart valve repair procedure is performed guided by an image displayed on a video monitor. In the “keyhole” techniques developed by Heartport, the patient&#39;s heart is stopped and the patient is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass. Still other techniques being developed, for example, by CardioThoracic Systems, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif., enable such bypass graft procedures to be performed on a beating heart. 
     In those techniques that involve stopping the heart to perform surgery, blood flow to the heart is occluded, for example, by placing occlusion balloons in the ascending aorta and/or the vena cava. Venous blood is then withdrawn from the patient, for example, from the vena cava, and oxygenated using an extracorporeal oxygenation circuit. The oxygenated blood is perfused into the patient in the vicinity of the aortic arch to provide oxygenated blood to the brain, internal organs and extremities. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,344 to Grinfeld et al. describes a multi-lumen perfusion catheter for perfusing oxygenated blood into a patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. The catheter has a distal balloon for occluding the ascending aorta, a first lumen for delivering cardioplegia solution through a first opening distal to the balloon, and a second lumen for perfusing oxygenated blood through a second opening proximal to the balloon. The catheter may be positioned in the ascending aorta either intraoperatively through an opening in the aorta, or in a retrograde manner via a femoral artery and the abdominal aorta. 
     One drawback associated with recently developed keyhole methods of cardiac surgery is that the surgeon often has only limited room in which to maneuver. This, in turn, may render previously known apparatus too cumbersome to be effectively used in conjunction with such techniques. Thus, for example, while the intraoperative version of the catheter described in the foregoing patent to Grinfeld et al. may be used instead of a cross-clamp where a sternotomy has been performed, the device may be less useful when keyhole surgical techniques are employed. 
     Specifically, intraoperative placement of the foregoing catheter involves placing a purse-string suture surrounding the arteriotomy, to prevent excessive blood loss. Because there may be insufficient room in which to form a purse string suture in a keyhole-type procedure, the surgeon may be unable to provide a tight seal around the entry point of the catheter. 
     It therefore would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for delivering oxygenated blood to a patient from a cardiopulmonary bypass machine that overcome the drawbacks of previously known perfusion catheters. 
     It further would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods that enable a perfusion catheter to be positioned in the aorta via a sutureless arteriotomy. 
     A number of devices and methods have been developed to provide sutureless anastomoses. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,366,819 and 4,368,736, both to Kaster, describe assemblies that provide sutureless anastomosis of a bypass graft by capturing the graft material between an interior flange and an exterior ring. U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,358 to Angelchik describes an anastomosis device formed from a tubular elastic membrane that is expanded on either side of the entry wound to provide a sutureless seal. None of these previously known devices appear suitable, without extensive modification, for providing a temporary sutureless arteriotomy for a perfusion catheter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,628 to Boyles describes a catheter for isolating the coronary ostium between two toroidal-shaped balloons. The catheter includes a lumen enabling blood to pass from the left ventricle to the ascending aorta, while the balloons define a chamber into which treatment material may be provided to the coronary arteries. The patent describes that the balloons are spaced apart so that the lower balloon is disposed beneath the aortic valve in the left ventricle and the upper balloon is positioned distal of the coronary arteries. 
     In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for delivering oxygenated blood to a patient from a cardiopulmonary bypass machine using sealing members that provide a sutureless arteriotomy, with little or no blood leakage. 
     It further would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for occluding the aorta and for providing cardioplegia solution to the aortic root using a perfusion catheter inserted via a sutureless arteriotomy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for delivering oxygenated blood to a patient from a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, and that overcome the drawbacks of previously known perfusion catheters. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods that enable a perfusion catheter to be positioned in the ascending aorta via a sutureless arteriotomy. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for delivering oxygenated blood to a patient from a cardiopulmonary bypass machine using sealing members that provide a sutureless arteriotomy, with little or no blood leakage. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for occluding the aorta and for providing cardioplegia solution to the aortic root using a perfusion catheter inserted via a sutureless arteriotomy. 
     These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a perfusion catheter having a distal end carrying first and second sealing members. When the perfusion catheter is inserted through an arteriotomy site, the first and second sealing members are disposed to engage opposite surfaces of a thickness of a vessel wall. When disposed across a vessel wall, the first and second sealing members capture the intervening tissue and apply pressure against the opposite surfaces of the thickness of the vessel wall to seal blood perfused into the aorta from leaking through the arteriotomy site. 
     In one embodiment, the perfusion catheter includes a multi-lumen catheter having first and second toroidal balloons defining first and second sealing members, a third balloon for occluding the aorta, a lumen for providing oxygenated blood to the aorta, and a lumen for injecting cardioplegia solution into the aortic root, proximal of the occlusion balloon. Alternatively, the third balloon and cardioplegia injection lumen may be carried on a separate catheter that is inserted through a lumen of the perfusion catheter. The distal region of the catheter also may include a member that biases the perfusion catheter into a preferred delivery shape when deployed, e.g., with the axis of a blood flow outlet port coinciding with the axis of the aorta. A stylet for forming the arteriotomy puncture and inserting the perfusion catheter also is provided. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the perfusion catheter comprises a multi-lumen catheter having an inner shaft including a toroidal balloon defining a first sealing member, an occlusion balloon for occluding the aorta, a lumen for providing oxygenated blood to the aorta, and a lumen for injecting cardioplegia solution into the aortic root, proximal of the occlusion balloon. An outer shaft is disposed for movement in the proximal and distal directions on the inner shaft and includes an elastomeric flange or toroidal balloon defining a second sealing member. Once the first balloon is positioned and inflated, the outer shaft is advanced in the distal direction to engage the tissue disposed therebetween and seal the arteriotomy. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a perfusion catheter system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the distal end of the perfusion catheter system of FIG. 1 disposed in a patient&#39;s aortic arch; 
     FIG. 3 is a side-sectional view of the distal end of the perfusion catheter system of FIG. 2; 
     FIGS. 4A to  4 C illustrate a method of placing the distal end of the perfusion catheter of FIG. 1 in an aortic arch; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a perfusion catheter system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the distal end of the perfusion catheter system of FIG. 5 disposed in a patient&#39;s aortic arch; 
     FIG. 7 is a side-sectional view of the distal end of the perfusion catheter of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the perfusion catheter of FIG. 5, taken along view line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a perfusion catheter system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the distal end of the perfusion catheter system of FIG. 9 showing steps of deploying the catheter in a patient&#39;s aortic arch; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side-sectional view of the distal end of the perfusion catheter of FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a perfusion catheter that may be positioned in a patient&#39;s aorta without suturing the arteriotomy site, and with little or no leakage. Specifically, perfusion catheters constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention include first and second sealing members disposed on the catheter shaft in closely spaced relation that sealingly capture the edge of the arteriotomy site. In addition, the perfusion catheters of the present invention may include an inflatable occlusive member for occluding retrograde flow of blood into the heart, a lumen for delivering cardioplegia solution to the aortic root, and an element that causes the distal end of the perfusion catheter to conform to the vessel. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 to  3 , an illustrative perfusion catheter system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is described. Catheter system  10  comprises perfusion catheter  20 , balloon catheter  40  and stylet  50 . 
     Perfusion catheter  20  comprises flexible tube  21  having proximal end  22  and distal end  23 . Proximal end  22  includes fitting  24  for coupling blood flow inlet port  25  to an outlet of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine (not shown). Distal end  23  includes tube  26 , closely-spaced together sealing members  27  and  28 , and curved region  29  having blood flow outlet port  30 . Lumen  31  (see FIG. 3) extends from blood flow inlet port  25  to blood flow outlet port  30 . Tube  26  is affixed to the exterior surface of perfusion catheter  20  and forms a guide lumen for balloon catheter  40 , as described hereinbelow. Sealing members  27  and  28  comprise toroidal balloons, and are coupled to inflation ports  32  and  33 , respectively, via separate lumens  34  disposed within lumen  31 . Inflation ports  32  and  33  may be coupled to syringes (not shown) filled with an inflation medium, such as saline, to selectively inflate the balloons. 
     Perfusion catheter  20  preferably comprises a material typically used in catheter construction, such as polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, or polyurethane. Curved region  29  preferably includes pre-formed metal alloy spring  35  embedded in its thickness (see FIG.  3 ). Spring  35  flexes from a substantially straight shape, when perfusion catheter  20  is disposed over stylet  50 , to a curved shape that conforms to the arch of the aorta, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Sealing members  27  and  28  may comprise a compliant, semi-compliant, or non-compliant material, and more preferably, a non-compliant or semi-compliant material. Tube  26  may include a thin seal of a plastic material, e.g., polyethylene, which is punctured when balloon catheter  40  is inserted through the tube. 
     Balloon catheter  40  has proximal end  41  and distal end  42 . Proximal end  41  includes cardioplegia inlet port  43  and inflation port  44 . Distal end  42  includes outlet port  45  coupled via lumen  46  (see FIG. 3) to cardioplegia inlet port  43 , and balloon  47  coupled via a lumen to inflation port  44 . Balloon catheter  40  has a diameter selected so that distal end  42  passes through tube  26  of perfusion catheter  20  when balloon  47  is deflated, and may include one or more additional lumens, for example, for venting the aortic root. Balloon catheter  40  preferably comprises a material typically used in catheter construction, such as polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, or polyurethane, while balloons  47  may comprise a compliant, semi-compliant, or non-compliant material, and more preferably, a compliant material. 
     Stylet  50  comprises elongated shaft  51  having knob  52  at proximal end  53  and sharpened non-coring tip  54  at distal end  55 . Stylet  50  is sized to slidingly fit within lumen  31  of perfusion catheter  20 , and may comprise a catheter type material, such as described hereinabove. Stylet  50  may include grooves in its outer surface to accommodate the presence of lumens  34  in lumen  31  of perfusion catheter  20 . In addition, tip  55  may include a sharpened metal alloy tip embedded in distal end  55  to enhance the cutting ability of the stylet. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, when perfusion catheter  20  is positioned within a vessel, preferably aorta A, for example, during keyhole cardiac surgery, curved region  29  conforms to the curve of the aorta. Sealing member  28  is disposed within aorta A and contacts the interior surface of tissue T of the vessel wall. Sealing member  27  is disposed outside aorta A and contacts the exterior surface of tissue T of the vessel wall. When sealing members  27  and  28  are inflated, e.g., when the surgeon injects a suitable inflation medium in sealing members  27  and  28  via inflation ports  32  and  33 , the balloons expand to bear against opposite surfaces of the thickness of tissue T. Sealing members  27  and  28  thereby occlude and seal the arteriotomy site against leakage, without the need to place a purse string suture around the catheter. 
     Balloon catheter  40  is advanced through tube  26  along a guide wire, and balloon  47  is inflated using a suitable inflation medium to occlude the aorta. Cardioplegia solution then may be injected through cardioplegia inlet port  43 , lumen  46  and cardioplegia outlet port  45  into the aortic root to stop the heart and perfuse the coronary arteries. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4A to  4 C, a method of intraoperatively using perfusion catheter system  10  of the present invention to perfuse a patient undergoing cardiac surgery with oxygenated blood is described. As shown in FIG. 4A, a portion of aorta A is first partially clamped using previously known forceps-type cross-clamp  55  to isolate a region in which the arteriotomy is to be performed. 
     Perfusion catheter  20  is placed over stylet  50  so that tip  54  extends out of blood flow outlet port  30 . Sealing members  27  and  28  are folded, and preferably pre-folded, flat against the exterior of perfusion catheter  20  so as to minimize the insertion profile of the catheter. Perfusion catheter  20  and stylet  50  are disposed adjacent to the isolated region of the aorta, and the stylet is advanced to create puncture P in the vessel wall, as shown in FIG.  4 B. Perfusion catheter  20  is then advanced over distal end  55  of the stylet with the stylet held stationary. 
     As the perfusion catheter is inserted into the aorta through puncture P, spring  35  causes curved region  29  to revert to its curved shape, thus allowing the perfusion catheter to be placed in the aorta without contacting the opposing wall of the vessel, as shown in FIG.  4 C. Sealing members  27  and  28  then are inflated (only sealing member  28  is shown inflated in FIG.  4 C), until the balloons contact the opposite surfaces of the intervening thickness of the vessel wall (see FIG.  3 ). 
     Once sealing members  27  and  28  have been inflated to seal puncture P, balloon catheter  47  is inserted through tube  26  and directed in a retrograde fashion, for example, using a guide wire inserted through lumen  46  and cardioplegia outlet port  45  of balloon catheter  40 . Balloon  47  then is inflated to occlude the aorta upstream of blood flow outlet port  30  of perfusion catheter  20 . Stylet  50  is removed from lumen  31 , and blood flow inlet port  25  is coupled to an outlet of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine to perfuse aorta A, while cardioplegia solution is injected through lumen  46  of balloon catheter  40 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 to  8 , an alternative embodiment of a perfusion catheter system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is described. Catheter system  60  comprises perfusion catheter  65  and stylet  85 . 
     Perfusion catheter  65  comprises flexible tube  66  having proximal end  67  and distal end  68 . Proximal end  67  includes fitting  69  for coupling blood flow inlet port  70  of the perfusion catheter to an outlet of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine (not shown). Distal end  68  includes closely-spaced together sealing members  71  and  72 , curved region  73  having cardioplegia outlet ports  74 , occlusion balloon  75  and blood flow outlet port  76 . Lumen  77  (see FIG. 7) extends from blood flow inlet port  70  to blood flow outlet port  76 . 
     Sealing members  71  and  72 , preferably balloons, and occlusion balloon  75 , are coupled to inflation ports  78 ,  79  and  80 , respectively, via separate lumens  81  disposed within lumen  77 . Inflation ports  78 ,  79  and  80  may be coupled to syringes (not shown) filled with an inflation medium, such as saline, to selectively inflate the balloons. Cardioplegia outlet ports  74  are coupled to cardioplegia inlet port  82  via lumen  83  disposed within lumen  77 . 
     Perfusion catheter  65  preferably comprises a material, as described hereinabove with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, and includes pre-formed metal alloy spring  84  embedded in its thickness. Spring  84  flexes from a substantially straight shape, when perfusion catheter  65  is disposed over stylet  85 , to a curved shape that conforms to the arch of the aorta, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Sealing members  71  and  72  and occlusion balloon  75  may comprise a compliant, semi-compliant, or non-compliant material, and more preferably, sealing members  71  and  72  comprise a non-compliant or semi-compliant material, while occlusion balloon  75  more preferably comprises a compliant material. 
     Stylet  85  is similar in construction to stylet  50  described hereinabove, and comprises elongated shaft  86  having knob  87  at proximal end  88  and sharpened non-coring tip  89  at distal end  90 . Stylet  85  is sized to slidingly fit within lumen  77  of perfusion catheter  65 , and may comprise a catheter type material, such as described hereinabove. Stylet  85  may include grooves to accommodate the presence of lumens  81  and  83 , and tip  89  optionally may include a sharpened metal alloy tip embedded in distal end  90  to enhance the cutting ability of the stylet. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when perfusion catheter  65  is positioned within a vessel, preferably aorta A, curved region  73  conforms to the curve of the aorta. Sealing member  72  is disposed within aorta A and contacts the interior surface of tissue T, while sealing member  71  is disposed outside aorta A and contacts the exterior surface of tissue T. When sealing members  71  and  72  are inflated, the balloons expand to bear against the opposite surfaces of the thickness of tissue T, thus providing a sutureless arteriotomy seal for perfusion catheter  65 . 
     Operation of catheter system  60  is similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 4A to  4 C. The aorta is first partially clamped to isolate a region in which the arteriotomy is to be performed, and perfusion catheter  65  is placed over stylet  85  so that tip  89  extends out of blood flow outlet port  76 . Sealing members  71  and  72  occlusion balloon  75  are pre-folded flat against the exterior of perfusion catheter  65  so as to minimize the insertion profile of the catheter. The perfusion catheter and stylet are disposed adjacent to the isolated region of the aorta, and the stylet is advanced to create a puncture in the vessel wall. 
     The perfusion catheter is then advanced over distal end  90  of the stylet with the stylet held stationary, so that spring  84  causes curved region  73  to revert to its curved shape as the perfusion catheter is inserted into the aorta through the puncture. Sealing members  71  and  72  are inflated until the balloons contact and bear against the intervening thickness of the vessel wall. Occlusion balloon  75  also is inflated using a suitable inflation medium, injected via inflation port  80 , to occlude the aorta upstream of blood flow outlet port  76 . 
     Stylet  85  is removed from lumen  77 , and blood flow inlet port  70  is coupled to an outlet of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine to perfuse aorta A. Cardioplegia solution also may be injected through cardioplegia inlet port  82 , lumen  83  and cardioplegia outlet ports  74  into the aortic root to stop the heart and perfuse the coronary arteries. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9 to  11 , a further alternative embodiment of a perfusion catheter system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is described. Catheter system  90  comprises perfusion catheter  95  and stylet  125 . Stylet  125  is constructed as described hereinabove. 
     Perfusion catheter  95  comprises inner shaft  96  having proximal end  97  and distal end  98 . Proximal end  97  includes fitting  99  for coupling blood flow inlet port  100  of the perfusion catheter to an outlet of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine (not shown). Distal end  98  includes sealing member  101 , curved region  102  having cardioplegia outlet ports  103 , occlusion balloon  104  and blood flow outlet port  105 . Lumen  106  (see FIG. 11) extends from blood flow inlet port  100  to blood flow outlet port  105 . Outer shaft  107  is disposed for movement in the proximal and distal directions on inner shaft  96  and includes sealing member  108  on distal end  109  and locking ring  110  on proximal end  111 . Locking ring  110  may be configured to engage optional threads  112  disposed on the exterior surface of inner shaft  96 , and serves to lock outer shaft  107  in at a desired position relative to inner shaft  102 . 
     Sealing member  101 , preferably a toroidal balloon, and occlusion balloon  104 , are coupled to inflation ports  113  and  114 , respectively, via separate lumens  115  disposed within lumen  106  (see FIG.  11 ). Inflation ports  113  and  114  may be coupled to syringes (not shown) filled with an inflation medium, such as saline, to selectively inflate the balloons. Cardioplegia outlet ports  103  are coupled to cardioplegia inlet port  116  via lumen  117  disposed within lumen  106 . Sealing member  108  may comprise a flange formed from an elastomeric or closed-cell foam material. Alternatively, sealing member  108  may comprise an inflatable toroidal balloon, in which case outer shaft  107  will include an inflation port and inflation lumen. 
     Perfusion catheter  95  preferably comprises a material, as described hereinabove, and includes a preformed metal alloy spring embedded in its thickness that flexes from a substantially straight shape, when perfusion catheter  95  is disposed over stylet  125 , to a curved shape that conforms to the arch of the aorta, as shown in FIGS.  10 . Sealing member  101  and occlusion balloon  104  may comprise a compliant, semi-compliant, or non-compliant material, and more preferably, sealing member  101  comprises a non-compliant or semi-compliant material, while occlusion balloon  104  more preferably comprises a compliant material. Sealing member  108  may comprise a non-compliant or semi-compliant balloon, or elastomeric or foam material. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, when perfusion catheter  95  is positioned within a vessel, preferably aorta A, curved region  102  conforms to the curve of the aorta. Sealing member  101  is disposed within aorta A and is inflated to contact the interior surface of tissue T. Outer shaft is then translated in the distal direction so that sealing member  108  is disposed against the exterior surface of tissue T, and locking ring  110  is actuated to lock the outer shaft in a fixed position relative to inner shaft  96 . If sealing member  108  is a balloon, it is inflated to bear against the opposite surfaces of the thickness of tissue T. If sealing member  108  is non-expandable, translation of sealing member  108  toward sealing member  101  causes the sealing members to bear against the opposite surfaces of the thickness of tissue T, thus providing a sutureless arteriotomy seal for perfusion catheter  95 . 
     Operation of catheter system  90  is similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 4A to  4 C. The aorta is first partially clamped to isolate a region in which the arteriotomy is to be performed, and perfusion catheter  95  is placed over stylet  125  so that the tip of the stylus extends out of blood flow outlet port  105 . Sealing member  101  and occlusion balloon  104  are folded against the exterior of perfusion catheter  95  so as to minimize the insertion profile of the catheter. The perfusion catheter and stylet are disposed adjacent to the isolated region of the aorta, and the stylet is advanced to create a puncture in the vessel wall. 
     The perfusion catheter is then advanced over the distal end of the stylet with the stylet held stationary, so that curved region  102  reverts to its curved shape as the perfusion catheter is inserted into the aorta through the puncture. Sealing member  101  is inflated, and then sealing member  108  is advanced distally to contact and bear against the intervening thickness of the vessel wall. Alternatively, outer shaft  107  may be positioned relative to inner shaft  96  prior to inflation of the sealing member or members. Occlusion balloon  104  also is inflated using a suitable inflation medium, injected via inflation port  114 , to occlude the aorta upstream of blood flow outlet port  105 . 
     Stylet  125  is removed from lumen  106 , and blood flow inlet port  100  is coupled to an outlet of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine to perfuse aorta A. Cardioplegia solution also may be injected through cardioplegia inlet port  116 , lumen  117  and cardioplegia outlet ports  103  into the aortic root to stop the heart and perfuse the coronary arteries. 
     As a further alternative embodiment, perfusion catheter system  95  may omit lumen  117 , cardioplegia outlet ports  103  and occlusion balloon  104 . In this case, perfusion catheter  95  may include a tube (similar to tube  26  of the embodiment of FIG. 1) affixed to inner shaft  96 , within sealing member  101 , and over which sealing member  108  is slidably disposed. In this embodiment, a separate balloon catheter, such as balloon catheter  40  of FIG. 1, may be inserted through the tube to provide the occlusion and cardioplegia injection functions described hereinabove with respect to the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     While preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention are described above, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0