Patent ID: 7144365

Claim:
A system for supplementing blood circulation in a patient comprising: a pump configured to pump blood through the patient at subcardiac flow rates, said pump having an average flow rate that, during normal operation thereof, is substantially below that of the patient's heart when healthy; a conduit fluidly coupled to the pump and configured to direct blood between two locations within the patient's vasculature wherein the blood may travel in reverse directions within the conduit, wherein the conduit further comprises: an inflow port; a first lumen fluidly coupled with the inflow port such that blood can be directed from the inflow port into the first lumen; a second lumen fluidly coupled to the pump such that blood can be pumped from the pump through the second lumen; an outflow port fluidly coupled with the second lumen such that blood can be directed from the second lumen through the outflow port; a first cannula positioned between the pump and the first lumen; and a second cannula positioned between the second lumen and the pump wherein the conduit is configured such that the inflow port can be positioned at a first location within the patient's vasculature and the outflow port can be positioned at a second location within the vasculature.