MULTI-LUMEN CANNULA

• US 20120296152A1
• Filed: 07/30/2012
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Inventors: Reichenbach, Steven H., Law, Yu Fai
• Granted Patent: US 8,939,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3653 Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3659 Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0035 characterized by a variable lumen cross-section by means of a resilient flexible septum or outer wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0032 characterized by at least one unconventionally shaped lumen, e.g. polygons, ellipsoids, wedges or shapes comprising concave and convex parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/117 for assisting the heart, e.g. transcutaneous or external ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/20 Type thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/857 Implantable blood tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/859 Connections therefor

Abstract

This document relates to methods and materials for providing blood flow for a blood pump recipient. For example, cannulae that can be connected to the circulatory system of a mammal and can be used in conjunction with a blood pump (e.g., an assist device) are provided.

Claims

1. A method for implanting a cannula into a heart, the method comprising:

creating a single puncture site into the heart for receiving the cannula;

inserting the cannula through the puncture site such that a distal end of a first lumen of the cannula and a distal end of a second lumen of the cannula pass through the puncture site into the heart, one of the first and second lumens having a reniform cross-sectional shape;

positioning the distal end of the first lumen of the cannula within a blood vessel;

positioning the distal end of the second lumen of the cannula within a chamber of the heart; and

receiving blood from the distal end of the second lumen and pumping blood through the distal end of the first lumen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the second lumen is positioned in the left ventricle or the left atrium, and wherein the distal end of the first lumen is positioned in the aorta.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the single puncture site is at the apex of the heart.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the second lumen is positioned in the right ventricle or the right atrium, and wherein the distal end of the first is positioned in the pulmonary artery.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a blood pump to a proximal region of the cannula, the proximal region of the cannula comprising proximal ends of the first and second lumens.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising placing the blood pump in the abdominal cavity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the single puncture site in the heart is accomplished by cannulation, incision, or excision of the myocardium.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting the cannula to the heart by anastomosis.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein once the cannula is positioned at a desired configuration relative to the heart, the cannula is secured to the myocardium using sutures.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the cannula comprises inserting the cannula through a septum of the heart.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the second lumen is positioned in the left ventricle or the left atrium, and wherein the distal end of the first lumen is positioned in the aorta.

12. A method for implanting a cannula into a heart, the method comprising:

inserting the cannula into the heart via a peripheral artery such that a distal end of a first lumen of the cannula and a distal end of a second lumen of the cannula pass through the peripheral artery into the heart, one of the first and second lumens having a reniform cross-sectional shape;

positioning the distal end of the first lumen of the cannula within a blood vessel;

positioning the distal end of the second lumen of the cannula within a chamber of the heart; and

receiving blood from the distal end of the second lumen and pumping blood through the distal end of the first lumen.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting a blood pump to a proximal region of the cannula, the proximal region of the cannula comprising proximal ends of the first and second lumens.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising crossing the aortic valve in a retrograde fashion while inserting the cannula into the heart.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the distal end of the second lumen is positioned in the left ventricle, and wherein the distal end of the first lumen is positioned in the aorta.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising crossing both right-sided valves of the heart in an anti-grade fashion while inserting the cannula into the heart.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the second lumen is positioned in the right ventricle or the right atrium, and wherein the distal end of the first lumen is positioned in the pulmonary artery.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein inserting the cannula comprises inserting the cannula through a septum of the heart.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distal end of the second lumen is positioned in the left ventricle or the left atrium, and wherein the distal end of the first lumen is positioned in the aorta.