Abstract: Air emboli detection method and apparatus for use in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery or the like comprising modular sensor, control and power units. The sensor unit is adapted to releasably clamp a blood flow tubing or conduit in a vertical orientation below a blood deaerator, and includes an LED infrared source and a phototransistor detector. The control unit applies pulsed power to the light source only at preselected periodic intervals, and monitors for an output from the detector only at times corresponding to the preselected intervals to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. The power unit includes a solid state relay responsive to detection of emboli for removing power from a blood pump or the like.

Abstract: A method and device for connecting a life support machine to the heart of a patient during open heart surgery which includes a two-stage venous return catheter having spaced inlet openings in the tip end and spaced from the tip end to insure proper connection to the various cavities of the heart and adequate return flow for a life support machine.

Abstract: A temperature probe and connector for extracorporeal monitoring of blood by-passed from a patient undergoing open heart surgery which includes a conductive connector unit interposed in the by-passed blood tube and a probe removably mountable on said connector unit having a sensing element for a telethermometer, said probe assembly being manually mountable and demountable on the connector unit and designed to cooperate with the connector unit to sheath the conductive connector tube to isolate it from ambient temperature.