Inflatable cannula and method of using same

• US 6,679,871 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Inventors: Hahnen, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US09/751,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20010023332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96-103, 604/118, 604/500, 604/502, 604/507, 604/508, 604/509, 604/96.01, 604/97.01, 604/101.01, 604/101.03, 604/101.04, 604/101.05, 604/102.01, 604/102.02, 604/102.03, 604/103.03, 604/103.07, 604/104, 606/191-194
• US Class Current: 604/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12109 in a blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

Abstract

An expandable lumen cannula which includes an elongate tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate flexible region, and a lumen therebetween. The cannula further includes a balloon occluder mounted on the distal end of the tube. The intermediate flexible region of the tube further includes an elongate generally cylindrical balloon disposed circumferentially about the flexible region which, upon inflation, expands the luminal diameter of the intermediate region. First and second inflation ports are in fluid communication with the balloon occluder and the cylindrical balloon. The cannula may optionally include a cardioplegia port disposed within the distal region of the tube, proximal the balloon occluder and distal the generally cylindrical balloon. Methods of using such a cannula are also disclosed, particularly to provide cannulation through a minimally invasive port incision, and to thereafter displace the tissues and organs adjacent an intercostal access port upon inflation and expansion of the generally cylindrical balloon.

Claims

1. A method of minimally invasive aortic cannulation, comprising the steps of:

providing an expandable lumen cannula comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, and an elongate balloon circumferentially disposed about the elongate tubular member;

inserting the expandable lumen cannula through a port access, and advancing the distal end of the cannula into the ascending aorta; and

inflating the elongate balloon, thereby increasing the luminal diameter of the cannula and widening the port access by displacing an adjacent tissue or organ.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of infusing fluid through the lumen of the elongate tubular member into the aorta.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid is oxygenated blood.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the elongate tubular member further comprises a balloon occluder mounted on the distal end, and wherein the method further comprises the step of inflating the balloon occluder.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fluid is infused into the aorta distal the balloon occluder.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of performing cardiopulmonary bypass.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of performing coronary artery bypass graft.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of performing a valve replacement.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of performing thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of performing septal defect repair.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein an elongate sleeve is disposed circumferentially about the elongate balloon, the method further comprising the step of removing the sleeve.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable lumen cannula further comprises a cardioplegia lumen terminating in a cardioplegia port at the distal end of the cannula, and wherein the method further comprises the step of infusing cardioplegia solution into the aorta.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

inserting a medical instrument through the proximal end of the elongate tubular member; and

advancing the medical instrument through the lumen of the elongate tubular member and into the ascending aorta.