Abstract: A artificial ventricle comprises an inlet for receiving blood, an outlet for discharging blood, and a chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. There is also a mechanism for actuating the artificial ventricle between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration, blood flows into the inlet. In the contracted configuration, blood flows out of the outlet. There may be a one-way valve at the outlet for preventing blood flow back into the chamber. The one-way valve may be a diaphragm valve. The chamber may have a resilient outer wall. The chamber may have an ovoid shape.

Abstract: A perfusion catheter system comprises a main line, a first branch line having a tip at a distal end thereof, and a second branch line having a tip at a distal end thereof. The tip of the first branch line is heavier than the tip of the second branch line. The tip of the first branch line may be weighted. There may be a self-inflating balloon at the tip of the first branch line. There may be a self-inflating balloon at the tip of the second branch line. There may be a clamp disposed along the second branch line. The clamp may include a base, a clamping arm hingedly connected to the base, and an aperture extending through the base. The second branch line may extend through the aperture in the base.

Abstract: A artificial ventricle comprises an inlet for receiving blood, an outlet for discharging blood, and a chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. There is also a mechanism for actuating the artificial ventricle between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration, blood flows into the inlet. In the contracted configuration, blood flows out of the outlet. There may be a one-way valve at the outlet for preventing blood flow back into the chamber. The one-way valve may be a diaphragm valve. The chamber may have a resilient outer wall. The chamber may have an ovoid shape.

Abstract: An aortic cannula comprises a main body portion and a distal end portion. A lumen extends through the main body portion and the distal end portion to allow fluid communication between the main body portion and the distal end portion. The distal end portion has an inner wall and an outer wall. There is a passageway disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the distal end portion. The passageway has an inlet and an outlet, and the passageway is fluid communication with a surrounding environment. There may be a stop ring disposed about the distal end portion between the inlet of the passageway and outlet of the passageway.

Abstract: A artificial ventricle comprises an inlet for receiving blood, an outlet for discharging blood, and a chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. There is also a mechanism for actuating the artificial ventricle between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration, blood flows into the inlet. In the contracted configuration, blood flows out of the outlet. There may be a one-way valve at the outlet for preventing blood flow back into the chamber. The one-way valve may be a diaphragm valve. The chamber may have a resilient outer wall. The chamber may have an ovoid shape.

Abstract: A cardiotomy suction tube system comprises a main line, a first flexible branch line in fluid communication with the main line, a second flexible branch line in selective fluid communication with the main line, and a rigid branch line in selective fluid communication with the main line. A valve mechanism selectively places either the second flexible branch line or the rigid line in fluid communication with the main line. The first flexible branch line may be provided with a weighted suction tip which gravitates to a low point in an operative field. The second flexible branch line may be provided with a weighted suction tip which gravitates to a low point in an operative field.

Abstract: A ventricle assist device comprises an inlet for receiving blood, an outlet for discharging blood, and a chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. There is also a means for actuating the ventricle assist device between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration blood flows into the inlet. In the contracted configuration blood flows out of the outlet. There may be a one-way valve at the outlet for preventing blood flow back into the chamber. The one-way valve is a diaphragm valve. The chamber may have a resilient outer wall. The chamber may have an ovoid shape.

Abstract: A central venous catheter kit comprises a medical instrument and a catheter for use during catheterization. The medical instrument includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger. A needle extends axially from the syringe. The needle has a lumen which is in fluid communication with the barrel of the syringe. There is a dilator disposed about the needle and a guidewire substantially disposed within the syringe. There is a guide for advancing the guidewire out of the syringe through the lumen of the needle. The catheter has a lumen and there is a guidewire disposed within the lumen of the catheter. The guidewire substantially disposed within the syringe and the guidewire disposed within the lumen of the catheter are each provided with a connector to allow the guidewires to be coupled.

Abstract: A ventricle assist device comprises an inlet for receiving blood, an outlet for discharging blood, and a chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. There is also a means for actuating the ventricle assist device between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration blood flows into the inlet. In the contracted configuration blood flows out of the outlet. There may be a one-way valve at the outlet for preventing blood flow back into the chamber. The one-way valve is a diaphragm valve. The chamber may have a resilient outer wall. The chamber may have an ovoid shape.

Abstract: An aortic cannula comprises a main body portion and a distal end portion. A lumen extends through the main body portion and the distal end portion to allow fluid communication between the main body portion and the distal end portion. The distal end portion has an inner wall and an outer wall. There is a passageway disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the distal end portion. The passageway has an inlet and an outlet, and the passageway is fluid communication with a surrounding environment. There may be a stop ring disposed about the distal end portion between the inlet of the passageway and outlet of the passageway.

Abstract: A cardiotomy suction tube system comprises a main line, a first flexible branch line in fluid communication with the main line, a second flexible branch line in selective fluid communication with the main line, and a rigid branch line in selective fluid communication with the main line. A valve mechanism selectively places either the second flexible branch line or the rigid line in fluid communication with the main line. The first flexible branch line may be provided with a weighted suction tip which gravitates to a low point in an operative field. The second flexible branch line may be provided with a weighted suction tip which gravitates to a low point in an operative field.

Abstract: A drainage tube assembly comprises an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of apertures extending from the outer wall thereof to the inner wall thereof. The outer tubular member has an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of apertures extending from the outer wall thereof to the inner wall thereof. The inner tubular member and the outer tubular member are coaxial with the outer wall of the inner tubular member abutting the inner wall of the outer tubular member. Corresponding ones of the apertures of the inner tubular member and the apertures of the outer tubular member are aligned. The inner tubular member is slidably removable from the drainage tube assembly. The apertures of the inner and outer tubular members may be oblique relative a longitudinal axis of the drainage tube assembly.

Abstract: A perfusion catheter system comprises a main line, a first branch line having a tip at a distal end thereof, and a second branch line having a tip at a distal end thereof. The tip of the first branch line is heavier than the tip of the second branch line. The tip of the first branch line may be weighted. There may be a self-inflating balloon at the tip of the first branch line. There may be a self-inflating balloon at the tip of the second branch line. There may be a clamp disposed along the second branch line. The clamp may include a base, a clamping arm hingedly connected to the base, and an aperture extending through the base. The second branch line may extend through the aperture in the base.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for an automotive exhaust system or the like comprises a catalyst substrate within a midsection of a metal housing. The metal housing includes an end section that extends from the midsection and includes an opening, which may be either an inlet or an outlet for the catalytic converter. An inner heat shield is disposed within the end section and includes a flared section that is spaced apart from the housing end section to provide thermal insulation. The flared section is formed of a metal sheet and includes one or more ribs to reinforce the flared section and reduce vibration that might otherwise produce noise. Preferably, the ribs are formed by elongated ridges that extend generally in the direction of gas flow through the converter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of temporarily replacing the function of the left ventricle in a patient whose heart is severely injured and is unable to maintain a systemic arterial pressure adequate to support the inside walls of patient's aorta, the method comprising a removable pressurizable support means having an external profile which is expandable to fit firmly against the inside wall of the aorta of a patient, wherein the external profile of the pressurizable support means presents a central opening that allows blood to flow through the aorta. The pressurizable support means can both support and expand the aorta under low blood pressure to assist the drawing of blood from the left ventricle. The central opening also allows for the placement of a blood flow control means. The blood flow control means can comprise a pumping balloon and a proximal blocking balloon, the two members pressurized and depressurized in opposition within the aorta of a patient to simulate systole and diastole of a healthy heart.

Abstract: The present invention is an intra-aortic circulatory enhancing apparatus for use in human patients to improve blood flow to other arteries continuous with the aorta of the patient. The apparatus comprises an internal inflation means located within the aorta of the patient and an external inflation means located outside of the patient. The internal inflation means can be an internal balloon coupled to a hollow extent which is operatively coupled to a blood communication means. The blood communication means can be a first hollow catheter tube in one embodiment. The external inflation means can be an external balloon coupled to a hollow extent running through the center of the balloon and continuous with a second hollow catheter tube. The blood communication means is coupled to the internal and external inflation means, allowing blood within the aorta to communicate with the secondary inflation means.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon assist device is used to increase blood flow to the coronary arteries of an injured heart. The device comprises an expandable member that is placed within the ascending aorta of the patient, coupled to a flexible tube made of standard catheter material. The flexible tube is coupled to a blood flow control means within the descending portion of the patient's aorta. When operating, the blood flow control means pumps a surge of oxygenated blood through the flexible tube and expandable member into the area around the ascending portion of the aorta. The expandable member is operated in successive stages. The first stage is a collapsed stage, which is a completely depressurized stage of the member. In the second, blocking stage, the member blocks off the aorta to create a closed volume around the ascending portion of the aorta.

Abstract: A device and method are shown for improving coronary blood circulation and cardiac contractile function, synchronizing coronary perfusion pressure with the patient's cardiac cycle, by alternately pressurizing and depressurizing an inflatable balloon located within the interior of the device. The device comprises a catheter having a distal end which is installed at the ostium of the coronary artery of a patient. The device is alternately pressurized during the relaxation phase of a patient's cardiac cycle and then depressurized during the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle to thereby modulate the coronary perfusion pressure and blood flow.