A reverse flow pump comprising two concentric passageways and an interior compartment having cut out portions in communication with a pump passageway for the directional flow of fluid relative to the pump, and a rotor positioned within the interior compartment for reversing the directional flow of fluid through a region in communication with another pump passageway. A reverse flow pump and cannula system is further provided comprising an inner cannula adjoining a pump passageway, and an outer co...

A surgical pump suitable for bodily fluids, normally blood, usable in the course of surgical interventions as an alternative to the traditional CPB (cardio pulmonary bypass) making use of external blood pumps. It consists of an intake cannula (20) which is inserted with its first (distal) end in a first vessel, an outflow cannula (30) coaxial for some length with, and larger than the first cannula, which is inserted with its first (distal) end in a second vessel, both second ends of the coaxial ...

A self-sealing hemostasis valve having a first membrane with an opening offset from the center and a second membrane with an opening offset from the center in a direction opposite of the offset in the first membrane. The two membranes are joined about their outer edges. Access through the two elastomeric membranes without tearing is available at the intersection of the openings in the membrane assembly when the two membranes are deformed by an instrument being inserted through the hemostasis val...

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 blo...

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...

An improved intravascular blood pump system (10) and related methods involving the broad inventive concept of equipping the intravascular blood pump (12) with guiding features such that the intravascular blood pump can be selectively positioned at a predetermined location within the circulatory system of a patient.

Method and apparatus for preventing air embolisms during surgical procedures which involves providing a fluid source in communication with an aperture extending into an anatomical cavity such that fluid may be delivered into the cavity when a condition of negative pressure exists in the cavity, thereby preventing the introduction of air into the cavity.

A surgical retractor has a connection region to connect to cannulas, tubing, blood pumps, and the like. By fixing these items against the surgical retractor, they are kept out of the surgical field of view and thus do not interfere with the surgery.

Methods and apparatus are described to manipulate the position of the heart to provide surgical access to lateral and posterior portions of the heart. A jack apparatus connected to a surgical retractor can be positioned in the surgical cavity to produce a sideways force on the heart. A tripod apparatus can be used to hold up the heart into a desired position. A band can be attached to the heart to rotate its position. Fingers attached to the bottom of a blade on a surgical retractor can be used ...

A cannula is provided with a balloon tip at an implantable end thereof. The balloon tip comprises a sealed, flexible, inflatable portion adapted to receive an inflating material via a lumen in fluid communication therewith. The lumen comprises a gap formed in the tubular wall of the cannula, and may be defined by a supply tube disposed within the lumen and extending between an inflatable material source and the balloon tip.