Intravascular cannulation apparatus and methods of use

• US 6,969,379 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1999
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1998
• 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): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maiorino, Roz
• Application Number:
  US09/763,911
• Time in Patent Office: 2,286 Days
• Field of Search: 604/507, 604/103.7, 604/22, 128/898, 600/309, 600/529, 606/192
• US Class Current: 604/507
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3659 Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3666 Cardiac or cardiopulmonary bypass, e.g. heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0031 characterized by lumina for withdrawing or delivering, i.e. used for extracorporeal circuit treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0034 characterized by elements which are assembled, connected or fused, e.g. splittable tubes, outer sheaths creating lumina or separate cores
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0039 characterized by lumina being arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/008 Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 Catheter tip comprising a tool

Abstract

This invention is a cannulation apparatus, and related methods for providing indirect access to a surgical site within a patient. The cannulation apparatus includes at least two fluid flow paths that are slidable coupled (40) (50) to one another, and selectively positional within the patient. The first, the second flow path s may be advanced through a single incision disposed remotely from the surgical field to first, and second predetermined locations within the patient. Exemplary sites for the incision include the groin region or in the neck region of the patient. The cannulation apparatus, and method of the present invention are particularly suited for use in providing cardiopulmonary support during cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The cannulation apparatus of the present invention also provides an entry site for one or more support devices used in the surgical procedure.

Claims

1. A method for providing circulatory support, comprising:

withdrawing blood from a first predetermined location in a circulatory system of a patient; and

returning the withdrawn blood to a second predetermined location in the circulatory system of the patient,

wherein the steps of withdrawing and returning are performed by providing a cannula assembly comprising

a first cannula defining a first flow path for transporting blood between a pump and a first predetermined location within the circulatory system of a patient; and

a second cannula sized and configured to slidably receive and guide at least a portion of the first cannula in a non-linear direction to extend at least a portion of the first cannula a desired length beyond the second cannula and permitting adjustment of the length the first cannula extends beyond the second cannula, the first and second cannulas forming, between them, sized and configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the first cannula to form a lumen between the first and second cannulas, the lumen defining a second flow path for transporting blood between a pump and a second predetermined location within the circulatory system of the patient,

wherein the first and second cannulas are dimensioned to extend, in use, into the respective first and second predetermined locations through a single incision formed in a vascular system of patient.

4. A method as in claim 1 or 2 or 3

wherein the second cannula includes at least one pre-formed curve.

2. A method for inserting a cannula assembly into a patient, comprising:

forming a single incision in the vascular system of the patient;

providing a cannula assembly comprising

a first cannula defining a first flow path for transporting blood between a pump and a first predetermined location within the circulatory system of a patient; and

a second cannula sized and configured to slidably receive and guide at least a portion of the first cannula in a non-linear direction to extend at least a portion of the first cannula a desired length beyond the second cannula and permitting adjustment of the length the first cannula extends beyond the second cannula, the first and second cannulas forming, between them, sized and configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the first cannula to form a lumen between the first and second cannulas, the lumen defining a second flow path for transporting blood between a pump and a second predetermined location within the circulatory system of the patient,

wherein the first and second cannulas are dimensioned to extend, in use, into the respective first and second predetermined locations through a single incision formed in a vascular system of the patient;

advancing a distal end of the first cannula through the incision to a first predetermined location within the circulatory system of the patient; and

advancing a distal end of the second cannula through the incision to a second predetermined location within the circulatory system of the patient.

3. A method of circulating fluid through a cannula system comprising the steps of

(1) inserting the cannulation assembly into a first predetermined location in a body through a vascular incision;

the assembly comprising

a first cannula defining a first flow path for transporting blood between a pump and a first predetermined location within the circulatory system of a patient; and

a second cannula sized and configured to slidably receive and guide at least a portion of the first cannula in a non-linear direction to extend at least a portion of the first cannula a desired length beyond the second cannula and permitting adjustment of the length the first cannula extends beyond the second cannula, the first and second cannulas forming, between them, sized and configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the first cannula to form a lumen between the first and second cannulas, the lumen defining a second flow path for transporting blood between a pump and a second predetermined location within the circulatory system of the patient

wherein the first and second cannulas are dimensioned to extend, in use, into the respective first and second predetermined locations through a single incision formed in a vascular system of the patient;

(2) establishing flow communication between a first one of the flow paths and the first predetermined location;

(3) slidably moving a second one of the flow paths into a second predetermined location spaced apart from the first predetermined location;

(4) establishing flow communication between the second flow path and the second predetermined location;

(5) coupling the first and second flow paths to a pump system; and

(6) operating the pump system to transport fluid from the first predetermined location for introduction into the second predetermined location.