Abstract: A system for facilitating fluid connection between cannulae and a blood pump. The system includes a cannula having proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the cannula adapted to be in fluid communication with the circulatory system. The proximal end of the cannula configured to couple to an inlet of the blood pump. The system further includes a tunneling device configured to be inserted into a body of a patient to direct the proximal end of the cannula adjacent to the inlet for connection thereto. The cannula further includes a first connecting structure. The tunneling device further includes a second connecting structure. The first and second connecting structures are selectively engageable to allow connection and disconnection between the cannula and tunneling device.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for directing blood from the heart of a patient and a minimally invasive method of implanting the same. The cannula assembly includes a flexible cannula body having a proximal end and a distal end with a receiving portion, and a transseptal tip having a distal end and a proximal end with an engaging portion. First and second anchors are coupled to the transseptal tip and configured to be deployed from a contracted state to an expanded state. The engaging portion of the transseptal tip is operable to removably engage the receiving portion of the flexible cannula body in vivo.

Abstract: A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.

Abstract: A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.

Abstract: A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.

Abstract: A system for facilitating fluid connection between cannulae and a blood pump. The system includes a cannula having proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the cannula adapted to be in fluid communication with the circulatory system. The proximal end of the cannula configured to couple to an inlet of the blood pump. The system further includes a tunneling device configured to be inserted into a body of a patient to direct the proximal end of the cannula adjacent to the inlet for connection thereto. The cannula further includes a first connecting structure. The tunneling device further includes a second connecting structure. The first and second connecting structures are selectively engageable to allow connection and disconnection between the cannula and tunneling device.

Abstract: A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.

Abstract: A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.

Abstract: A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for directing blood from the heart of a patient and a minimally invasive method of implanting the same. The cannula assembly includes a flexible cannula body having a proximal end and a distal end with a receiving portion, and a transseptal tip having a distal end and a proximal end with an engaging portion. First and second anchors are coupled to the transseptal tip and configured to be deployed from a contracted state to an expanded state. The engaging portion of the transseptal tip is operable to removably engage the receiving portion of the flexible cannula body in vivo.

Abstract: An evacuation sheath assembly and method of reducing or removing a blockage within a vessel without permitting embolization of particulate matter is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes a first elongate tubular member, having proximal and distal ends and a main lumen configured to be placed in fluid communication with a blood vessel. An expandable member is provided on a distal portion of the tubular member. The evacuation assembly further includes a second elongate tubular member having an inflation lumen configured to be placed in fluid communication with the expandable member and a fluid inflator. The fluid inflator is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the inflation lumen in order to provide a regulated pressure fluid source for inflating the expandable member.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongate shaft including a first tubular member and a second tubular member. A balloon may be coupled to the shaft. A first member may be coupled to the first tubular member and positioned within the balloon. A second member may be coupled to the first tubular member and positioned within the balloon. A medical implant may be coupled to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the balloon.

Abstract: A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongate shaft including a first tubular member and a second tubular member. A balloon may be coupled to the shaft. A first member may be coupled to the first tubular member and positioned within the balloon. A second member may be coupled to the first tubular member and positioned within the balloon. A medical implant may be coupled to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the balloon.

Abstract: A transseptal cannula assembly for directing blood from the heart of a patient and a minimally invasive method of implanting the same. The transseptal cannula assembly includes a flexible cannula body having proximal and distal portions with a lumen therebetween, a tip coupled to the distal portion of the flexible cannula body, and first and second anchors coupled to the tip. The anchors can be configured to be deployed from a contracted state to an expanded state and are configured to engage opposite sides of the heart tissue when in the expanded state. The anchors resist movement of the cannula assembly along a lengthwise central axis of the flexible cannula body.

Abstract: A transseptal cannula assembly for directing blood from the heart of a patient and a minimally invasive method of implanting the same. The transseptal cannula assembly includes a flexible cannula body having proximal and distal portions with a lumen therebetween, a tip coupled to the distal portion of the flexible cannula body, and first and second anchors coupled to the tip. The anchors can be configured to be deployed from a contracted state to an expanded state and are configured to engage opposite sides of the heart tissue when in the expanded state. The anchors resist movement of the cannula assembly along a lengthwise central axis of the flexible cannula body.

Abstract: An evacuation sheath assembly and method of reducing or removing a blockage within a vessel without permitting embolization of particulate matter is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes a first elongate tubular member, having proximal and distal ends and a main lumen configured to be placed in fluid communication with a blood vessel. An expandable member is provided on a distal portion of the tubular member. The evacuation assembly further includes a second elongate tubular member having an inflation lumen configured to be placed in fluid communication with the expandable member and a gas inflator. The gas inflator is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the inflation lumen in order to provide a regulated pressure gas source for inflating the expandable member.

Abstract: An evacuation sheath assembly and method of reducing or removing a blockage within a vessel without permitting embolization of particulate matter is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes a first elongate tubular member, having proximal and distal ends and a main lumen configured to be placed in fluid communication with a blood vessel. An expandable member is provided on a distal portion of the tubular member and is configured to form a seal with the blood vessel. The evacuation assembly further includes a second elongate tubular member having proximal and distal ends and an inflation lumen configured to be placed in fluid communication with the expandable member and a gas inflator. The gas inflator includes a high pressure gas source and a mechanism for regulating the pressure of the gas delivered by the gas inflator.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A transseptal cannula assembly for directing blood from the heart of a patient and a minimally invasive method of implanting the same. The transseptal cannula assembly includes a flexible cannula body having proximal and distal portions with a lumen therebetween, a tip coupled to the distal portion of the flexible cannula body, and first and second anchors coupled to the tip. The anchors can be configured to be deployed from a contracted state to an expanded state and are configured to engage opposite sides of the heart tissue when in the expanded state. The anchors resist movement of the cannula assembly along a lengthwise central axis of the flexible cannula body.