Abstract: A vessel harvesting apparatus is provided for removing a vessel from a patient. An endoscopic instrument has a distal end with a vessel harvesting tip and has a proximal end with a handle. The endoscopic instrument has an insufflation channel adapted to receive an insufflation gas from a regulated source at the proximal end. The insufflation channel has an outlet at the distal end adapted to expel the insufflation gas subcutaneously in the patient. A damping device has a flexible bladder with an inside space in fluid communication with the insufflation channel. The inside space has a volume that varies between a rest volume and an inflated volume in response to an amount of insufflation gas flowing to or from the flexible bladder.

Abstract: A vessel harvesting apparatus is provided for removing a vessel from a patient. An endoscopic instrument has a distal end with a vessel harvesting tip and has a proximal end with a handle. The endoscopic instrument has an insufflation channel adapted to receive an insufflation gas from a regulated source at the proximal end. The insufflation channel has an outlet at the distal end adapted to expel the insufflation gas subcutaneously in the patient. A damping device has a flexible bladder with an inside space in fluid communication with the insufflation channel. The inside space has a volume that varies between a rest volume and an inflated volume in response to an amount of insufflation gas flowing to or from the flexible bladder.

Abstract: A vessel preparation and preservation kit supports a blood vessel during processing for use in bypass graft surgery. The device comprises a clamshell base having first and second trays latchable in a closed condition and pivotable to an open condition. The first tray has a series of open slots on an interior surface, wherein each slot extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamshell base. A first fixture has a first plate positionable in any selected one of the slots, a first fitting for holding a first end of the blood vessel, and a fluid supply needle for inserting into the first end of the blood vessel. A second fixture has a second plate positionable in any selected one of the slots a predetermined distance from the first fixture and having a second fitting for holding a second end of the blood vessel. A liquid-retaining foam is mounted in the second tray to immerse the prepared blood vessel in liquid to preserve it by putting the trays in the closed condition.

Abstract: A vessel preparation and preservation kit supports a blood vessel during processing for use in bypass graft surgery. The device comprises a clamshell base having first and second trays latchable in a closed condition and pivotable to an open condition. The first tray has a series of open slots on an interior surface, wherein each slot extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamshell base. A first fixture has a first plate positionable in any selected one of the slots, a first fitting for holding a first end of the blood vessel, and a fluid supply needle for inserting into the first end of the blood vessel. A second fixture has a second plate positionable in any selected one of the slots a predetermined distance from the first fixture and having a second fitting for holding a second end of the blood vessel. A liquid-retaining foam is mounted in the second tray to immerse the prepared blood vessel in liquid to preserve it by putting the trays in the closed condition.

Abstract: A venous catheter comprises a flexible plastic tubular body having a center lumen. A plurality of drainage openings are formed in a reinforced opening-containing section of the body. Reinforcement is embedded in the body within the reinforced opening-containing section. The reinforcement includes a series of annular ringlets each formed of a few tightly wound helical turns. The ringlets can be non-interconnected, or interconnected by a helical connecting part by forming the ringlets and connecting parts from a continuous wire. The drainage openings are disposed in spaces formed between successive ringlets.

Abstract: A venous catheter comprises a flexible plastic tubular body having a center lumen. A plurality of drainage openings are formed in a reinforced opening-containing section of the body. Reinforcement is embedded in the body within the reinforced opening-containing section. The reinforcement includes a series of annular ringlets each formed of a few tightly wound helical turns. The ringlets can be non-interconnected, or interconnected by a helical connecting part by forming the ringlets and connecting parts from a continuous wire. The drainage openings are disposed in spaces formed between successive ringlets.

Abstract: A volume controlling support for a flexible venous reservoir that permits the reservoir to have a clear flow passage from its inlet to its outlet which is visible and accessible to the perfusionist. The portion of the reservoir through which the major part of the blood flow is occurring can be manipulated if necessary, particularly for the purpose of manipulating the reservoir to improve the clearance of air bubbles in the blood. Preferred embodiments also enhance the convenience for the perfusionist by permitting right-handed or left-handed operation, and by providing an approximate read-out of the volume of blood contained in the reservoir.

Abstract: A blood reservoir mounting bracket supports alternate sizes of blood reservoir assemblies. The reservoir mounting bracket has a reversible reservoir mounting frame, with mounting pins on one side thereof arranged in a first pattern for the mounting holes of one size of a blood reservoir assembly, and mounting pins on its other side arranged in a second pattern for the mounting holes of a second, different sized blood reservoir assembly. Alternatively, the reservoir mounting bracket has a reservoir mounting frame with retractable pins therein for use in adapting to differently arrayed holes on different sized blood reservoir assemblies. The reservoir mounting bracket further has an oxygenator holder which allows orientation of the oxygenator in a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A novel integral cardiotomy/venous blood reservoir, blood oxygenator and heat exchanging device, method of making a blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device and an extracorporeal circulatory support circuit. The reservoir includes a novel blood defoaming and filtering chamber closely receiving filtering and defoaming media. The blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device includes thermal formed housing portions, and a heat exchanging barrier, blood oxygenating medium and/or filtering medium, which are sealed by potting compound at one time. The oxygenating medium comprises a hollow fiber type medium, with its ends left open to be sealingly mounted in a gas path by a novel mounting bracket.

Abstract: A novel integral cardiotomy/venous blood reservoir, blood oxygenator and heat exchanging device, method of making a blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device and an extracorporeal circulatory support circuit. The reservoir includes a novel blood defoaming and filtering chamber closely receiving filtering and defoaming media. The blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device includes thermal formed housing portions, and a heat exchanging barrier, blood oxygenating medium and/or filtering medium, which are sealed by potting compound at one time. The oxygenating medium comprises a hollow fiber type medium, with its ends left open to be sealingly mounted in a gas path by a novel mounting bracket.

Abstract: A novel integral cardiotomy/venous blood reservoir, blood oxygenator and heat exchanging device, method of making a blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device and an extracorporeal circulatory support circuit. The reservoir includes a novel blood defoaming and filtering chamber closely receiving filtering and defoaming media. The blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device includes thermal formed housing portions, and a heat exchanging barrier, blood oxygenating medium and/or filtering medium, which are sealed by potting compound at one time. The oxygenating medium comprises a hollow fiber type medium, with its ends left open to be sealingly mounted in a gas path by a novel mounting bracket.

Abstract: A venous reservoir is provided in which a blood inlet (42) is located at an inlet end (70) of the container (48) which extends upwardly with a fast rise and for a sufficient distance to allow the blood entering the inlet to enter a large volume and to expand rapidly. The top (74) of the inlet end wall (70) of the container communicates with a vent outlet (46) whereby a sharp decrease in the velocity of the blood flow resulting from its rapid expansion provides buoyancy to air in the blood causing air bubbles to rise to the top of the container and be vented through the vent opening. A top wall (76) of the container extends from the vent opening and toward a blood outlet (44), with the top wall being curved in a manner to prevent the velocity of blood from increasing until the blood is substantially at the blood outlet.