Abstract: A vent cannula includes a tubular base having a primary longitudinal passage therein with a primary distal tip for insertion into a body vessel. The base has a tubular junction interconnected and extending at an acute angle having a secondary passage therein communicating with the primary passage. A flexible tube is slidably retained within the secondary passage. The flexible tube has a flexible distal portion with a flexible distal tip thereon, a flexible proximal portion with a side port therein and with a proximal handle. The flexible tube is initially positioned at a “first position” wherein the flexible distal tip is within the secondary passage; and is slideable to a “second position” wherein the side port of the flexible proximal portion is at the junction of the primary and secondary passages, and the flexible distal tip is inserted into the primary passage and extended from the primary distal tip to thereby extend the functional tip of the cannula.

Abstract: A heartwire comprises a wire having a proximal end and a distal end, at least part of the distal end being conductive so as to be usable in heart stimulation; and attached to said distal end, an end structure adapted for non-invasively maintaining the distal end in position adjacent the heart. The end structure may comprise an irregular or three-dimensional, atraumatic structure adapted for engaging a surgical material secured to the heart, for maintaining said heartwire in position relative to said surgical material. The surgical material may be a pledget, and the end structure may comprise at least one of a pigtail, a hook, a tine and a suture sized and shaped for engaging the pledget so as to maintain the heartwire in position. The heartwire may comprise a second wire having a corresponding distal end structure and may be a bipolar heartwire. An arrangement for stimulating a heart may comprise the foregoing heartwire, in combination with a surgical material for being secured to the heart.

Abstract: A device, system and method for perfusing an oxygenated medium in the cerebral vasculature includes positioning pressure cuffs on upper extremities; providing a catheter having a multi-region configuration with a balloon; inserting the catheter into a subclavian or femoral vein; advancing the catheter such that the balloon is positioned substantially in the superior vena cava junction substantially proximal to the take-off of the left inominate vein. During a perfusion mode, the cuffs and balloon are inflated causing an increase in cerebral blood flow, retrogradely; and oxygenated blood which may be cooled is pumped from a femoral artery into the catheter for a suitable period. During a non-perfusion mode the cuffs and balloon are deflated. The catheter has at least two regions, namely, guide wire and fluid delivery regions. Optionally, a separate balloon inflation region may be provided.