Methods and systems for providing right and/or left heart support during cardiac surgery

• US 6,935,344 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2000
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC (Getinge AB)
• Original Assignee: A-Med Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Kanz, William R., Aboul-Hosn, Walid N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATTHEWS, WILLIAM H
• Application Number:
  US09/481,730
• Time in Patent Office: 2,058 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898
• US Class Current: 128/898
• 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 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/117 for assisting the heart, e.g. transcutaneous or external ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/135 inside a blood vessel, e.g. using grafting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/232 Centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/237 the blood flow through the rotating member having mainly axial components, e.g. axial flow pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/279 Peristaltic pumps, e.g. roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/35 for specific surgeries, e.g. for Fontan procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/414 transmitted by a rotating cable, e.g. for blood pumps mounted on a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/441 generated by an electromotor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/531 using blood pressure data, e.g. from blood pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/546 of blood flow, e.g. by adapting rotor speed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/859 Connections therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/867 using position detection during deployment, e.g. for blood pumps mounted on and driven through a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/894 Passive valves, i.e. valves actuated by the blood
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 415/90 Rotary blood pump

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for performing beating heart surgery involving the step of maintaining at least partial blood flow through a protected blood flow path within the right and/or left side of the heart during surgery. The protected blood flow path may be established by positioning one or more conduits within at least a portion of the right and/or left sides(s) of the heart. In a first system, at least partial blood flow may be maintained through the protected blood flow path by the pumping action of a blood pump communicatively coupled to the conduit. In a second system, at least partial blood flow is maintained through the protected blood flow path by the pumping action of the beating heart itself. The systems are therefore capable of maintaining at least partial blood flow through the right and/or left side(s) of the heart, even during periods when the cardiac output becomes compromised. The patient'"'"'s lung(s) may be used at all times utilized for blood oxygenation during heart surgery, thereby avoiding the need for artificial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits and the attendant disadvantages of CPB.

Claims

1. A method of providing beating heart support comprising the step of

maintaining at least partial blood flow through a protected blood flow path within a portion of at least one of the vena cava, the right atrium, the right ventricle and pulmonary artery of a beating heart,

wherein the step of maintaining at least partial blood flow involves the step of pumping blood through said protected blood flow path by the action of the beating heart,

wherein said protected blood flow path is established by positioning a conduit within at least one of the vena cava, the right atrium, the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery,

wherein said conduit is provided extending through the pulmonary valve and including a fluid inlet aperture disposed within the right ventricle,

wherein said conduit is provided extending through the tricuspid valve and including a fluid inlet aperture disposed within the right atrium, and

wherein said conduit is introduced into the right atrium through at least one of the inferior vena cava and the wall of the right atrium for passage through the tricuspid valve.

2. A method of proving beating heart support comprising the step of

maintaining at least partial blood flow through a protected blood flow path within a portion of at least one of the vena cava, the right atrium, the right ventricle and pulmonary artery of a beating heart,

wherein the step of maintaining at least partial blood flow involves the step of pumping blood through said protected blood flow path by the action of the beating heart,

wherein a conduit is positioned at least partially within the right atrium and extending through the tricuspid valve to pre-load the right ventricle, and

wherein said conduit is provided with a valve for preventing fluid back flow from the right ventricle into the right atrium.

3. A method of providing beating heart support comprising the step of

maintaining at least partial blood flow through a protected blood flow path within a portion of at least one of the vena cava, the right atrium, the right ventricle and pulmonary artery of a beating heart,

wherein the step of maintaining at least partial blood flow involves the step of pumping blood through said protected blood flow path by the action of the beating heart,

wherein a conduit is positioned at least partially within the right atrium and extending through the tricuspid valve to pre load the right ventricle, and

wherein said conduit is provided having at least one fluid inlet aperture disposed within the right atrium.