Cannula

• US 20060235357A1
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heartware,Inc. (Medtronic Plc), HeartWare Pty Ltd. (Medtronic Plc), Ventracor Limited
• Original Assignee: Ventracor Limited
• Inventors: Woodward, John Campbell, Alder, Anthony Philip, Ayre, Peter Joseph, Begg, John Donald
• Application Number:
  US10/548,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20060235357A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices

Abstract

A cannula (3) for the transport of blood; wherein the cannula comprises an elongate, flexible tubular shank (2) defining a blood channel (5) therethrough between a first end and a second end. The shank adapted to be clamped to occlude said blood channel (5) without substantially damaging the shank. The shank being resistant to kinking stresses.

Claims

1. A cannula for the transport of blood;

wherein said cannula comprises an elongate, flexible tubular shank defining a blood channel therethrough between a first end and a second end;

said shank adapted to be clamped to occlude said blood channel without substantially damaging said shank;

said shank being resistant to kinking stresses.

2. The cannula of claim 1, wherein said flexible tubular shank has an outer portion having a hardness of between 50 to 65 Shore.

3. The cannula of claim 2, wherein said outer portion of said tubular shank is an outer sheath, and said flexible tubular shank further comprises an inner sheath having a substantially lesser hardness than said outer sheath.

4. The cannula of claim 3, wherein said inner sheath has a hardness of about 35 Shore.

5. The cannula of claim 1, wherein said first end includes an adaptor for connection to a heart and a second end adapted for connection to a blood pump.

6. The cannula of claim 5, wherein said adaptor is substantially funnel-shaped.

7. The cannula of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said adaptor is pliable, and adapted for insertion thereof into a cored hole within the heart.

8. The cannula of claim 5, wherein said adaptor includes a textured material mounted on an outer surface thereof.

9. The cannula of claim 1, wherein said shank includes at least one positioning strip.

10. The cannula of claim 1, wherein said shank includes at least one radiopaque region.

11. The cannula of claim 5, wherein said shank includes a series of markings along its length so as to allow determination of length of the shank inserted within the heart, when implanted.

12. The cannula of claim 1, wherein said shank includes a resiliently pliable strip that allows shape retention of said shank subsequent to it being deformed.

13. The cannula of claim 1, wherein said shank includes at least one sensor to detect and/or measure blood flow and/or blood pressure within said cannula, when in use.

14. The cannula of claim 5, wherein said second end includes a connector with a locking nut having an outer surface adapted to releasably engage with a corresponding connector on said blood pump.

15. The cannula of claim 2, wherein said outer portion of said flexible tubular shank is made of silicone.

16. The cannula of claim 1, wherein a flexible reinforcing material is moulded integrally within said flexible tubular shank.