Abstract: A cannula assembly for insertion in a blood vessel includes a cannula and a dilator. The cannula has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The dilator, which is telescopically received in the lumen of the cannula, includes proximal and distal ends, a passage extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a dilator tip disposed at the distal end. The cannula assembly further includes a needle and a guide wire disposed within the passage of the dilator. The dilator tip has an opening formed therein for receiving one of the needle and guide wire. The dilator tip is configured to limit insertion of the needle in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A cannula for conducting fluid to a body includes a cannula body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is adapted to receive the fluid flowing therethrough. The cannula also includes a cannula tip, which is coupled to the distal end of the cannula body. The canula tip includes a side wall having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein. Each fluid outlet is directed toward the proximal end of the cannula body to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow.

Abstract: An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula is formed from a cannula body and a tip provided on the distal end of the cannula body wherein the tip is designed to accommodate the fluid flow requirements of an extracorporeal bypass system while simultaneously minimizing any possible adverse impact of the cannula and fluid flow on the vessel in which the cannula is received. The tip has an axial fluid discharge aperture provided at the distal end thereof through which a portion of the fluid exiting the cannula flows. In addition, at least one lateral fluid discharge aperture is provided in the sidewall of the tip. A scoop or other diverting member is formed in the sidewall to direct a portion of the fluid flowing through the tip to exit the cannula through the lateral fluid discharge apertures.

Abstract: The multi-lumen cannula according to the invention is preferably formed from two separate sub-cannulas, a portion of which are adhered to one another. Preferably, the adhered portions of the sub-cannulas are deformed such that the assembled multi-lumen cannula is substantially circular in cross section throughout the adhered portions of the sub-cannulas. In addition, the septum separating the multiple lumens of the cannula is preferably reinforced so that the multi-lumen cannula can accommodate dramatically different fluid pressure within the cannula without deformation of the septum. This cannula is ideally suited for use in a variety of left-heart and right-heart assist cardiac surgical procedures, especially minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a probe inside a patient including a plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes arranged around the patient for communicating with the probe and generating navigation signals, a system for generating one or more positional signals in response to the navigational signals, and a system for collecting and analyzing those positional signals to determine the location of the medical instrument inside the patient's body. The transmitting/receiving nodes may be arranged on a flexible blanket which is wrapped around and adhered to the patient's body or over a table supporting the patient's body.

Abstract: A two-staged venous cannula is disclosed. The cannula includes an expandable reinforcing member around the atrial basket that prevents the cannula from kinking or collapsing in the area where the reinforcing member is applied. The reinforcing member preferably consists of an even number of rigid discrete beams of the same length equally spaced about the circumference of a cylinder. In an alternate embodiment, the beams may be equally spaced on the surface of a cone. Alternate spaces between the beams are formed. The alternate spaces between the beams are equally spaced around the circumference of the cannula. The alternate spaces between the beams remain equally spaced around the circumference of the cannula as the reinforcing member is expanded over a larger diameter. This design for the reinforcing member provides space between the beams where holes of the preferred shape, size and orientation can be placed through the cannula without requiring cutting through the material of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A cardioplegia management system comprises an inlet tube adapted for connection to a source of cardioplegic fluid, and at least two supply tubes extending from the inlet tube and in communication therewith, whereby fluid passing through the inlet will be directed to the supply tubes. The system also includes a base, and clamps associated with the supply tubes. Each of the clamps is mounted on the base in a position to selectively clamp and unclamp its respective supply tube, thereby selectively blocking or allowing flow of fluid through the supply tubes.

Abstract: An arterial cannula which includes a diverting side hole which simultaneously perfuses blood to the body and the lower extremity. Two barbs on the cannula exterior position the diverting hole just inside the blood vessel and prevent the back wall of the blood vessel from blocking the diverting hole. A transparent flash chamber on the proximal end of the cannula provides a visual indication of the entrance of the diverting side hole into the blood vessel. When the diverting hole enters the blood vessel, blood immediately fills the flash chamber.

Abstract: A transseptal left atrial cannulation system which provides drainage of left atrial blood without the need for thoracotomy. A guide wire and a long needle assembly are inserted into a catheter. A cannula rides over the exterior of this catheter. The guide wire may be advanced past the needle assembly and through a catheter through the distal end of the catheter to assist in directing the system to the right atrium. The cannulation system is inserted in a femoral vein located in the groin. Both the guide wire and needle assembly are long enough to allow a substantial length to extend out of the body at the groin for manipulation even when the distal ends of the guide wire and needle assembly are positioned in the heart. When the catheter distal end is positioned adjacent the septum in the right atrium, the guide wire is withdrawn from the catheter orifice and the needle assembly moves past the guide wire and through the catheter orifice to a position adjacent to the septum.

Abstract: An arterial cannula which includes a diverting side hole which simultaneously perfuses blood to the body and the lower extremity. Two barbs on the cannula exterior position the diverting hole just inside the blood vessel and prevent the back wall of the blood vessel from blocking the diverting hole. A transparent flash chamber on the proximal end of the cannula provides a visual indication of the entrance of the diverting side hole into the blood vessel. When the diverting hole enters the blood vessel, blood immediately fills the flash chamber.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a tube cannula and a hollow introducer needle. At the proximal end of the cannula are three fittings: first, a first luer fitting affixed to the proximal end of the tube cannula; second, a luer fitting removably attached to the first luer fitting, this second luer fitting having a first air porous water locking plug at a proximal end penetrated by the needle; and, third, a needle handle removably attachable to the second luer fitting. The proximal end of the needle handle is blocked also by a second air porous water blocking plug. The second plug prevents escape of blood from the hollow needle upon penetration of the arterial wall. The first plug controls the rate of flow of blood to the cannula tube and allows clamping of the tube after withdrawal of the introducer needle and prior to connection to a cardioplegia supply line.

Abstract: A single stage catheter which is used in open heart surgery to by-pass blood from the heart to a life support machine. The single stage catheter has a spiral lead flute for insertion into the inferior vena cava of the heart and a root section with multiple openings to be positioned in the right atrium of the heart. The flutes of the spiral lead to small quadrant openings in the end of the root section which also has long and short axial slot openings leading to the interior of the catheter. An obturator is designed to block the long and short axial slots during insertion to allow flow only through the quadrant openings to the interior of the obturator.

Abstract: A percutaneous syringe assembly for use in the introduction of a guidewire into a blood vessel for the purpose of guiding a catheter into place. The syringe has a plunger with a central guide tube for the wire and a needle lumen for introduction of the wire into a blood vessel. A protective flexible container for a guidewire is attachable to the syringe plunger in a closed circuit with selective ends to be aligned with the central guide tube of the plunger to permit a J-end or a straight end of a wire to be introduced into a selected blood vessel.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a tube cannula and a hollow introducer needle. At the proximal end of the cannula are three fittings: first, a first luer fitting affixed to the proximal end of the tube cannula; second, a luer fitting removably attached to the first luer fitting, this second luer fitting having a first air porous water locking plug at a proximal end penetrated by the needle; and, third, a needle handle removably attachable to the second luer fitting. The proximal end of the needle handle is blocked also by a second air porous water blocking plug. The second plug prevents escape of blood from the hollow needle upon penetration of the arterial wall. The first plug controls the rate of flow of blood to the cannula tube and allows clamping of the tube after withdrawal of the introducer needle and prior to connection to a cardioplegia supply line.