Abstract: An improved balloon catheter has a catheter body with an expandable member, such as a balloon, mounted to the exterior surface thereof. Preferably, means for preventing sticking of the expandable balloon to the exterior surface of the catheter body are provided. In one aspect, the catheter has an expandable member, preferably a balloon, positioned substantially equidistant from the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body. The retention catheter is positioned externally of the heart and partially surrounds the heart so that the balloon is positioned immediately adjacent the coronary sinus and when inflated, the balloon bears against the coronary sinus and at least one of the inferior vena cava and diaphragm thereby preventing inadvertent movement or removal of the RCSP catheter from the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A cannula having a main lumen extending therethrough is provided with a tourniquet integrally mounted to the cannula body. The tourniquet is positioned so that suture thread can be withdrawn therethrough and frictionally retained in place with respect to the cannula body. This structure is ideally suited for use in a cannula which is received in an incision surrounded by a purse string suture where the purse string suture is drawn tight to create a substantially fluid tight seal between the vessel wall and the cannula. The tourniquet lumens can be integrally molded with the cannula body or can be fixedly mounted thereto. In addition to the tourniquet, a pressure sensing lumen can similarly be integrated into the structure of the cannula body, depending upon the particular application of the cannula. This structure of the cannula is ideally suited for use as arterial cannulas, atrium cannulas and venous cannulas.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter has a catheter body with an expandable member, such as a balloon, mounted to the exterior surface thereof. Preferably, means for preventing sticking of the expandable balloon to the exterior surface of the catheter body are provided. In one aspect, the catheter has an expandable member, preferably a balloon, positioned substantially equidistant from the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body. The retention catheter is positioned externally of the heart and partially surrounds the heart so that the balloon is positioned immediately adjacent the coronary sinus and when inflated, the balloon bears against the coronary sinus and at least one of the inferior vena cava and diaphragm thereby preventing inadvertent movement or removal of the RCSP catheter from the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A ventricular cannulation device. An inner part is placed in the cardiac chamber and an outer part is placed outside the cardiac wall. Each of the inner and outer parts is equipped with means for catching onto the cardiac wall. The inner part bears a means for guiding and attaching the outer part thereto. A tube corresponding to the opening of the cardiac wall serves as a support for an outer tube or a vascular prosthesis. A blood circulatory assistance system is provided using a bio-pump, made from the patient's muscle, and a pulse generator to stimulate the bio-pump under program control, to pump blood from the ventricle. Vascular prosthesis are used to connect the cannulation device and the bio-pump with the aorta for blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A ventricular cannulation device in which an inner part is placed in the cardiac chamber and an outer part is placed outside the cardiac wall. Each of the inner and outer parts is equipped with means for catching onto the cardiac wall. The inner part bears a means for guiding and attaching the outer part thereto. A tube corresponding to the opening of the cardiac wall serves as a support for an outer tube or a vascular prosthesis.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: The prothesis is intended to be implanted in a human patient for forming an aorto-coronary by-pass or another by-pass on other arteries. The prosthesis comprises a normal, unaltered living vein which is taken from the patient himself/herself and which is surrounded by a multiperforated flexible sheath. The inside diameter of the sheath is so chosen that, after implantation, the outside diameter of the vein is maintained by the sheath at a value less than the maximum possible diameter of the vein and that the inside diameter of the vein is suitable for the diameter of the receiver artery.