Abstract: A steerable guide wire and/or a catheter device and associated method. The device includes a guide wire having a distal end, a hollow interior, and an anchoring mechanism positioned proximate to the distal end of the guide wire. The device further includes a core wire is slidably inserted into the hollow interior of the guide wire. Upon insertion, the core wire actuates the anchoring mechanism to anchor the guide wire at an anchoring location.

Abstract: A cannula and a method of using a cannula are disclosed. The cannula include a first portion having an interior lumen, a narrow portion coupled to the first portion and having an interior lumen, an expandable portion having an interior lumen and being coupled to the narrow portion, and a tip being disposed at a distal end of the expandable portion. The expandable portion is being capable of having an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The interior lumens of the first portion, the narrow portion, and the expandable portion are communicatively coupled to allow passage of at least one of a fluid, a powder, a gas, an object, and a device.

Abstract: A steerable guide wire and/or a catheter device and associated method. The device includes a guide wire having a distal end, a hollow interior, and an anchoring mechanism positioned proximate to the distal end of the guide wire. The device further includes a core wire is slidably inserted into the hollow interior of the guide wire.

Abstract: A self expanding cannula with improved drainage properties based upon its greater length is provided, along with methods of using the cannula in cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: A self expanding cannula with improved drainage properties based upon its greater length is provided, along with methods of using the cannula in cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: A cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends is provided. The diameter of the lumen of the cannula can be varied to take into account differences in the diameter of access and target vessels during cannulation. The cannula is further characterized by at least one mechanism that, upon actuation, serves to alter the conformation of the cannula between a normal profile conformation and a low profile conformation. The normal profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion, which is smaller than the lumen diameter both proximal and distal to the point of insertion, with the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion also expandable to the diameter of the cannulated vessel of the patient. The low profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion that is greater than the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion.

Abstract: A cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends is provided. The diameter of the lumen of the cannula can be varied to take into account differences in the diameter of access and target vessels during cannulation. The cannula is further characterized by at least one mechanism that, upon actuation, serves to alter the conformation of the cannula between a normal profile conformation and a low profile conformation. The normal profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion, which is smaller than the lumen diameter both proximal and distal to the point of insertion, with the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion also expandable to the diameter of the cannulated vessel of the patient. The low profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion that is greater than the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion.

Abstract: A cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends is provided. The diameter of the lumen of the cannula can be varied to take into account differences in the diameter of access and target vessels during cannulation. The cannula is further characterized by at least one mechanism that, upon actuation, serves to alter the conformation of the cannula between a normal profile conformation and a low profile conformation. The normal profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion, which is smaller than the lumen diameter both proximal and distal to the point of insertion, with the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion also expandable to the diameter of the cannulated vessel of the patient. The low profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion that is greater than the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion.

Abstract: A cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends is provided. The diameter of the lumen of the cannula can be varied to take into account differences in the diameter of access and target vessels during cannulation. The cannula is further characterized by at least one mechanism that, upon actuation, serves to alter the conformation of the cannula between a normal profile conformation and a low profile conformation. The normal profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion which is smaller than the lumen diameter both proximal and distal to the point of insertion, with the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion also expandable to the diameter of the cannulized vessel of the patient. The low profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion that is greater than the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion.