Abstract: An improved aortic cannula is provided for use in heart by-pass surgery. The cannula includes an elongated tube with a terminal end. The terminal end has a ramped surface leading to the discharge opening. The ramped surface terminates in a spoon-shaped lip. The spoon-shaped lip directs blood out of the cannula opening toward the ascending aorta or aortic arch in a U-shaped dispersion so as to preclude impact on the aortic wall. A bead adjacent the opening facilitates dispersion of the exiting blood. The opening has an upper edge with an inverted V-shaped contour which also facilitates dispersion of the blood.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula for use in heart bypass surgery comprises an elongated tube with a terminal end. The improvement relates to the provision of two large openings adjacent the terminal end of the cannula, and an inverted cup at the terminal end to redirect the flow of blood as the blood exits through the discharge openings. The cup deflects a portion of the blood rearwardly so as to slow the velocity of the blood. The openings and the cup serve to reverse the flow of blood toward the ascending aorta and away from the aortic arch so as to prevent dislodging plaque, and thereby decreasing the chances of stroke.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula is provided for use in heart by-pass surgery. The cannula includes an elongated tube with a terminal end. The terminal end has a ramped surface leading to the discharge opening. The ramped surface terminates in a lip having a tapered leading edge with a point for insertion of the cannula into the aorta. The tapered leading edge spreads a previously made incision to facilitate entry of the terminal end of the cannula into the aorta. With the improved cannula of the present invention, the size of the incision in the aorta is minimized and the damage or tearing of the aorta is eliminated or minimized. This ease of insertion also reduces the time required in the procedure of inserting the cannula into the aorta.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula is provided for use in heart by-pass surgery. The cannula includes an elongated tube with a terminal end. The terminal end has a ramped surface leading to the discharge opening. The ramped surface terminates in a spoon-shaped lip. The spoon-shaped lip directs blood out of the cannula opening toward the ascending aorta or aortic arch in a U-shaped dispersion so as to preclude impact on the aortic wall. A bead adjacent the opening facilitates dispersion of the exiting blood. The opening has an upper edge with an inverted V-shaped contour which also facilitates dispersion of the blood.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula is provided for use in heart by-pass surgery. The cannula includes an elongated tube with a terminal end. The terminal end has a ramped surface leading to the discharge opening. The ramped surface terminates in a spoon-shaped lip. The spoon-shaped lip directs blood out of the cannula opening toward the ascending aorta or aortic arch in a U-shaped dispersion so as to preclude impact on the aortic wall. A bead adjacent the opening facilitates dispersion of the exiting blood. The opening has an upper edge with an inverted V-shaped contour which also facilitates dispersion of the blood.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the presence of friable atheromatous deposits in or near the aortic arch of a patient. Fluid aspirated from the aorta in the region of the inner curvature of the transverse arch and the descending aorta through a cannula attached to a handle is drawn by suction through a filter in the handle, and any particulate is trapped for determining the presence of atherosclerotic plaque. A manually operated valve in the handle controls the suction and an elastomeric check valve prevents fluid backflow.

Abstract: An external cardiac assistance device is provided for augmenting cardiac contractions. The device includes a flexible, non-distensible shell adapted to be positioned over the base of the heart. A distensible membrane is mounted within the shell to define an inflatable space so that the device can be used on various sized hearts. Inflatable compartments are formed within the shell adjacent the membrane so as to engage the left and right ventricles of the heart. The device can be manually held in position on the heart by a handle for short-term use, or by a plurality of straps for intermediate and long term use. The device is operatively connected to an EKG machine which actuates a fluid pump in response to the QRS waves of the heart so as to rhythmically inflate and deflate the compartments to assist with the contractions of the heart.

Abstract: The method of replacing a defective atrio-ventricular valve in a patient's heart with a tissue atrio-ventricular valve bioprosthesis is provided. The replacement atrio-ventricular valve from the donor heart includes an annulus, a plurality of chordae, and papillary muscles attached thereto. The surgical operation includes removal of the defective valve from the patient's heart, and the insertion of each papillary muscle of the replacement valve longitudinally into a corresponding papillary muscle in the patient's heart. The papillary muscles of the replacement valve are secured in position within the patient's heart and the annulus of the replacement valve is secured to the annulus of the patient's heart. An introducer is utilized for inserting the papillary muscles of the replacement valve into the papillary muscle of the patient's heart, using the Seldinger technique.

Abstract: A medical scope guide allows internal body tissues to be viewed. The scope guide includes an elongated hollow tube having opposite inner and outer ends, and a transparent inflatable balloon secured to the inner end of the tube. The outer end of the tube is sealable and is adapted to slidably receive a scope device which extends through the tube and into the balloon. Air can be introduced and released through the tube into and from the balloon for inflating and deflating the balloon. In order to view the internal body tissues, a surgical incision is made in the body of the patient and the scope guide is inserted through the incision such that the inner end of the tube is located within the body and the outer end of the tube is located outside the body. The scope is inserted through the tube and into the balloon and the balloon is inflated so as to engage the body tissues to be observed. The body tissues are viewed with the scope device, which is removed from the scope guide when viewing is completed.