Abstract: A method of performing minimally invasive cardiac surgery includes the step of creating an access aperture into a patient's chest cavity, the access aperture being considerably smaller than a traditional cardiac surgery incision. A cannula is provided that has an oval portion with a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis and the cannula in inserted into the chest cavity through the access aperture.

Abstract: A method of performing minimally invasive cardiac surgery includes the step of creating an access aperture into a patient's chest cavity, the access aperture being considerably smaller than a traditional cardiac surgery incision. A cannula is provided that has an oval portion with a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis and the cannula is inserted into the chest cavity through the access aperture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cannula having a body with a first outer diameter, a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a portion outward of the first outer diameter having a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter that is adapted to space tissue from the fluid inlet to maintain fluid flow. Such a cannula is particularly useful for cardiopulmonary bypass procedures using a kinetically assisted venous drainage system.

Abstract: A cannula has a body with a proximal end and a distal end and a tip on the distal end. The tip has an outer wall defining a lumen opening at the end of the tip and extending to the proximal end of the cannula. The tip further comprises one or more ribs extending into the lumen to support the outer wall from kinking when the cannula is flexed. The outer wall has a inner surface defining the lumen and a plurality of non-circular apertures formed in the tip extending into the lumen. The apertures having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis aligned in relation to a circumference of the outer wall to prevent puckering or buckling when the tip is bent. This alignment is also designed to support the outer wall from kinking when the tip is bent.

Abstract: A cannula has a body with a proximal end and a distal end. The body has a wall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen having a longitudinal axis. The cannula further has a plurality of apertures in the wall that are interconnected with the lumen, each of the apertures having a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis. The longer major axis of the apertures is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumen.