Abstract: A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula having a sidewall with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. The cannula has a cap substantially blocking axial flow through the distal end of the lumen. There are a plurality of outlet openings in the sidewall of the cannula adjacent the distal end. The distal end of the lumen is flush with or preferably distally beyond the distal ends of the outlet openings. The aortic cannula may have a bend therein, as is known in the art, in which case the outlet openings on the outside side of the bend are smaller than the outlet openings on the inside side of the bend, to reduce disparity in the flow that would otherwise be caused by the bend, substantially equalizing flow through the openings.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solutions into the coronary sinus. The catheter is adapted for improved retention in the coronary sinus. The catheter comprises a catheter tube having infusion, pressure-sensing and balloon-inflation lumens, an inflatable balloon and a pressure sensor tube in fluid communication with the balloon-inflation lumen for sensing pressure in the inflatable balloon. The internal volume of the pressure sensor tube is relatively non-expansible relative to the internal volume of the inflation balloon in normal operation of the catheter. The balloon includes a plurality of segmented annular ribs.

Abstract: A cardioplegia administration system includes a tubing set, a positive displacement pump and a mixing system. The tubing set has a cardioplegia supply tube; a blood supply tube; and a cardioplegia administration tube connected to the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes. The positive displacement pump engages the cardioplegia administration tube to pump fluid therethrough. The mixing system includes pinch valves for alternately-continually pinching the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes to close and open the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes such that only one of the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes is open at a time, and a controller that controls the intervals during which the pinch valves are open to control the ratio of the cardioplegia medication and blood or blood substitute administered through the cardioplegia administration tube.

Abstract: A cardioplegia administration system includes a tubing set, a positive displacement pump and a mixing system. The tubing set has a cardioplegia supply tube; a blood supply tube; and a cardioplegia administration tube connected to the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes. The positive displacement pump engages the cardioplegia administration tube to pump fluid therethrough. The mixing system includes pinch valves for alternately-continually pinching the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes to close and open the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes such that only one of the cardioplegia and blood supply tubes is open at a time, and a controller that controls the intervals during which the pinch valves are open to control the ratio of the cardioplegia medication and blood or blood substitute administered through the cardioplegia administration tube.

Abstract: A flexible-resilient heat exchanger that is designed to be disposed inline of a cardioplegia tubing set for heating or cooling blood and/or cardioplegia solution. The heat exchanger comprises a flexible-resilient inner tube defining an inner flow path for blood and/or cardioplegia solution, for example, and a flexible-resilient outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The outer tube has fluid inlet and outlet ports so as to define an outer flow path between the inner and outer tubes for heat exchanging fluid, for example. The outer tube is sealingly connected to the inner tube adjacent opposite ends of the outer flow path, and the inner tube defining a barrier between the first and second fluids while permitting heat transfer between the first and second fluids.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solutions into the coronary sinus. The catheter is adapted for improved retention in the coronary sinus. The catheter comprises a catheter tube having infusion, pressure-sensing and balloon-inflation lumens, an inflatable balloon and a pressure sensor tube in fluid communication with the balloon-inflation lumen for sensing pressure in the inflatable balloon. The internal volume of the pressure sensor tube is relatively non-expansible relative to the internal volume of the inflation balloon in normal operation of the catheter. The balloon includes a plurality of segmented annular ribs.

Abstract: A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solutions into the coronary sinus. The catheter is adapted for improved retention in the coronary sinus. The catheter comprises a catheter tube having infusion, pressure-sensing and balloon-inflation lumens, an inflatable balloon and a pressure sensor tube in fluid communication with the balloon-inflation lumen for sensing pressure in the inflatable balloon. The internal volume of the pressure sensor tube is relatively non-expansible relative to the internal volume of the inflation balloon in normal operation of the catheter. Other aspects of the invention include a constricted portion in the infusion lumen that is believed to eliminate spraying of fluid through the infusion lumen outlet(s), and a temperature sensor strip providing a display on the catheter of the temperature of the infused fluid.

Abstract: A catheter and stylet assembly comprising an elongate catheter having a lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the catheter, and a connector adjacent the proximal end of the catheter for connecting the catheter to an extracorporeal support system. A stiff-flexible stylet is provided that is slidably receivable in the lumen of the catheter for providing rigidity to the catheter to facilitate introduction of the catheter into a chamber of a heart or other organ. First and second shoulders are provided on the catheter for abutting a latching portion of the stylet to secure the stylet in either of two positions relative to the catheter. The two positions include a first position wherein the distal end of the stylet extends outwardly from the distal end of the catheter for introducing the catheter into an artery or vein, or directly through the heart wall, and a second position wherein the distal end of the stylet is received within the lumen of the catheter for positioning the catheter in the heart.

Abstract: An improved arterial cannula tip of the type comprising a hollow tube having a bent inlet conduit, the improvement comprising constructing the cannula tip so that the wall of the cannula tip is thicker at the inside of the bend than in the surrounding areas. The cannula is preferably formed by taking a generally tubular blank having an area in which the wall of the blank is thicker than the surrounding areas, and bending the blank in this area of increased thickness. The blank may be formed by molding the blank in a mold with a core pin bent or configured to form the area of increased thickness on one side of the blank.

Abstract: A catheter and stylet assembly comprising an elongate catheter having a lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the catheter, and a connector adjacent the proximal end of the catheter for connecting the catheter to an extracorporeal support system. A stiff-flexible stylet is provided that is slidably receivable in the lumen of the catheter for providing rigidity to the catheter to facilitate introduction of the catheter into a chamber of a heart or other organ. First and second shoulders are provided on the catheter for abutting a latching portion of the stylet to secure the stylet in either of two positions relative to the catheter. The two positions include a first position wherein the distal end of the stylet extends outwardly from the distal end of the catheter for introducing the catheter into an artery or vein, or directly through the heart wall, and a second position wherein the distal end of the stylet is received within the lumen of the catheter for positioning the catheter in the heart.