A method for connecting cannulae to a cardiac circulatory support device , the method comprising: connecting an inflow disposable purging ("DIP") device and an outflow DIP device to an inflow port and an output port, respectively, of a cardiac circulatory support device to form a support device/DIP device assembly ; purging the support device/DIP device assembly of trapped air; occluding the inflow DIP device and the outflow DIP device ; inserting an outflow cannula into the inflow DIP device and an inflow cannula into the outflow DIP device ; purging air bubbles from each of the inflow DIP device and the outflow DIP device ; connecting the cannulae to the cardiac circulatory support device to form a support device/DIP device/cannulae assembly ; and removing the inflow DIP device and the outflow DIP device from the support device/DIP device/cannulae assembly ; characterized in that the inflow and outflow DIP devices each comprise an inner semi-closed flexible ring with an opening sufficient to permit partial insertion of one of the outflow cannula and the inflow cannula into the disposable purging device when inserting the outflow cannula into the inflow DIP device and the inflow cannula into the outflow DIP device , and being sufficiently snug around the surface of the cannula to seal, the DIP devices further allowing for insertion of the cannula into the disposable purging device until a connection is established at the connectors , connecting the cannulae with the inflow and outflow ports, and in that the DIP devices each comprise a detachment section to permit removal of the DIP device from the support device/DIP device/cannulae assembly . connecting an inflow disposable purging ("DIP") device and an outflow DIP device to an inflow port and an output port, respectively, of a cardiac circulatory support device to form a support device/DIP device assembly ; purging the support device/DIP device assembly of trapped air; occluding the inflow DIP device and the outflow DIP device ; inserting an outflow cannula into the inflow DIP device and an inflow cannula into the outflow DIP device ; purging air bubbles from each of the inflow DIP device and the outflow DIP device ; connecting the cannulae to the cardiac circulatory support device to form a support device/DIP device/cannulae assembly ; and removing the inflow DIP device and the outflow DIP device from the support device/DIP device/cannulae assembly ; characterized in that the inflow and outflow DIP devices each comprise an inner semi-closed flexible ring with an opening sufficient to permit partial insertion of one of the outflow cannula and the inflow cannula into the disposable purging device when inserting the outflow cannula into the inflow DIP device and the inflow cannula into the outflow DIP device , and being sufficiently snug around the surface of the cannula to seal, the DIP devices further allowing for insertion of the cannula into the disposable purging device until a connection is established at the connectors , connecting the cannulae with the inflow and outflow ports, and in that the DIP devices each comprise a detachment section to permit removal of the DIP device from the support device/DIP device/cannulae assembly . <EOS>