Malleable cannula

• US 6,976,979 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lawrence, Robert J., Shorey, Frederick A., Sandmore, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, CATHERINE SERKE
• Application Number:
  US10/285,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 604/524, 604/525, 604/526, 604/527, 604530-532, 604/264, 604/164.13, 604/510, 604/95.01, 604/95.04, 604/528, 600/434, 600/585, 600/114, 600/146
• US Class Current: 604/524
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids

Abstract

A malleable cannula has a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a wall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. A reinforcement member extends along the lumen, the reinforcement member having an interior side facing the lumen and an exterior side facing away from the lumen. A malleable member extends along a portion of the exterior side of the reinforcement member. The malleable member may be constructed of a tube with a wire slidably received within the tube and may include an anchor.

Claims

1. A malleable cannula, comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a wall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

a reinforcement member extending along the lumen, the reinforcement member having an interior side facing the lumen and an exterior side facing away from the lumen; and

a malleable member extending along a portion of the exterior side of the reinforcement member, the malleable member adapted to retain the body in a custom shape after the body is bent into the custom shape and comprising a tube and a wire slidably received within the tube, the malleable cannula further comprising an anchor on a distal end of the malleable member, the anchor adapted to maintain the placement of the malleable member within the wall, wherein the malleable member has a generally circular cross-section except for the anchor, which is a flattened portion of the tube.

2. The malleable cannula of claim 1, wherein the cannula is a venous cannula.

3. The malleable cannula of claim 1, further comprising a tip having a plurality of apertures interconnected with the lumen.

4. A malleable cannula, comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a wall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

a reinforcement spring extending along the lumen, the reinforcement spring having an interior side facing the lumen and an exterior side facing away from the lumen;

a malleable member extending along at least a portion of the exterior side of the reinforcement spring, the malleable member adapted to retain the body in a custom shape after the body is bent into the custom shape; and

a means for anchoring the malleable member within the wall, the means for anchoring limiting the travel of the malleable member with respect to the wall when the cannula is manipulated;

wherein the malleable member comprises a tube enclosing a wire, and the means for anchoring is a flattened portion of the tube not having a wire extending therein.

5. The malleable cannula of claim 4, wherein the tube and the wire are made of stainless steel.

6. The malleable cannula of claim 4, wherein the means for anchoring comprises a collar, the collar encased in the wall and substantially encircling the lumen.

7. The malleable cannula of claim 4, wherein the cannula is a venous cannula.

8. The malleable cannula of claim 4, further comprising a tip attached to the distal end of the body, the tip having a plurality of apertures interconnected with the lumen.