Bend relief

• US 20060004346A1
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ventracor Limited
• Original Assignee: Ventracor Limited
• Inventors: Begg, John Donald
• Application Number:
  US11/154,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20060004346A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/525
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3659 Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0051 made from fenestrated or weakened tubing layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0053 having a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis, e.g. by varying the pitch of the coil or braid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body

Abstract

This invention comprises a bend relief for supporting a cannula wherein said bend relief includes a tubular body having a region near a first end that is substantially flexible and a region near a second end that is substantially rigid. Said tubular body has a series of weakened zones disposed therealong, wherein said weakened zones provide said tubular body with regions of differential flexibility.

Claims

1. A bend relief for supporting a cannula, said bend relief including a tubular body having a region near a first end that is substantially flexible and a region near a second end that is substantially rigid, said tubular body having a series of weakened zones disposed therealong, and wherein said weakened zones provide said tubular body with regions of differential flexibility.

2. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein said series of weakened zones includes a plurality of apertures.

3. The bend relief as claimed in claim 2, wherein said apertures are slots.

4. The bend relief as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of said slots is disposed at least partially circumferentially about said tubular body.

5. The bend relief as claimed in claim 2, wherein the size of said apertures is proportional to the flexibility of said tubular body.

6. The bend relief as claimed in claim 2, wherein the density of apertures is proportional to the flexibility of said tubular body.

7. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular body has a greater density of apertures near said first end than near said second end.

8. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apertures disposed near said first end have a greater size than apertures disposed near said second end.

9. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a greater number of apertures near said first end than there is near said second end.

10. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cannula is constructed of Dacron™

or velour.

11. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second end of said bend relief is adapted to attach to a blood pump.

12. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular body includes a positioning strip along the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

13. The bend relief as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular body is constructed of polypropylene.