Cannula having reverse flow tip

Claim 2

A cannula for conducting fluid to a body, the cannula comprising: a first cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen adapted to receive the fluid flowing therethrough; a first cannula tip coupled to the distal end of the first cannula body and including a side wall having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein, each of the plurality of fluid outlets being directed toward the proximal end of the first cannula body to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow; and a second cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen being adapted to receive fluid flowing therethrough, the second cannula adhered to a portion of the first cannula body to create a septum separating the lumens of the first and second cannulas, wherein the reinforcement of the lumen of the first cannula body resists deflection of the septum as a result of differing fluid pressure levels inside the lumens wherein the exterior surface opening of a first fluid outlet does not overlap the interior surface opening of any adjacent fluid outlet.

Claim 3

A cannula according to claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is between approximately 105° and 170°.

Claim 4

A cannula according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluid outlets are distributed about at least a sector of the first cannula tip.

Claim 5

A cannula according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluid outlets are evenly distributed about the first cannula tip.

Claim 6

A cannula according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fluid outlets includes an opening formed in an interior surface of the side wall and an opening formed in an exterior surface of the side wall, the exterior surface opening being located proximally of the interior surface opening.

Claim 7

A cannula according to claim 5, wherein the first cannula tip extends along a longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of fluid outlets being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 8

A cannula according to claim 5, wherein the first cannula tip extends along a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of the plurality of fluid outlets being non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 9

A cannula for conducting fluid to a body, the cannula comprising: a cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen adapted to receive the fluid flowing therethrough; a cannula tip coupled to the distal end of the cannula body and including a side wall having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein, each of the plurality of fluid outlets being directed toward the proximal end of the cannula body to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow; a second cannula body adhered to a portion of the first cannula body, the second cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; and a second cannula tip coupled to the distal end of the second cannula body and including a side wall having a plurality of fluid apertures formed therein, the second cannula tip adapted to be inserted into one of a first chamber of a heart or vessel fluidly communicating with the heart, and wherein the first cannula tip is adapted to be inserted into one of a second chamber of the heart or vessel fluidly communicating with the heart, the plurality of fluid outlets of the first cannula tip being adapted to direct the fluid away from the one of the second chamber of the heart or vessel fluidly communicating therewith, and a septum separating the lumens of the first and second cannulas such that the reinforcement of the lumen of the first cannula resists deflection of the septum as a result of differing fluid pressure levels inside the lumens.

Claim 10

A cannula for conducting fluid to a body, the cannula comprising: a cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen adapted to receive the fluid flowing therethrough; a cannula tip coupled to the distal end of the cannula body and including a side wall having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein, each of the plurality of fluid outlets being directed toward the proximal end of the cannula body to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow; a second cannula body adhered to a portion of the first cannula body, the second cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; and a second cannula tip coupled to the distal end of the second cannula body and including a side wall having a plurality of fluid apertures formed therein, the second cannula tip adapted to be inserted into one of a first chamber of a heart or vessel fluidly communicating with the heart, and wherein the first cannula tip is adapted to be inserted into one of a second chamber of the heart or vessel fluidly communicating with the heart, the plurality of fluid outlets of the first cannula tip being adapted to direct the fluid away from the one of the second chamber of the heart or vessel fluidly communicating therewith, and a septum separating the lumens of the first and second cannulas such that the reinforcement of the lumen of the first cannula resists deflection of the septum as a result of differing fluid pressure levels inside the lumens.

Claim 11

A cannula according to claim 8, wherein the first cannula tip is adapted to be inserted into the aorta, and the plurality of fluid outlets of the first cannula tip are adapted to direct the fluid away from the aortic valve.

Claim 12

A multi-lumen cannula assembly for conducting fluid to and from a body, the multi-lumen cannula assembly comprising: a first sub-cannula including a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, a reinforcement to resist radial deflection of the lumen, and a cannula tip located at the distal end, the cannula tip having a plurality of fluid apertures formed therein; and a second sub-cannula including a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a cannula tip located at the distal end, the cannula tip having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein, the plurality of fluid outlets being directed toward the proximal end of the second sub-cannula to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the second sub-cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow, the second sub-cannula adhered to a portion of the first sub-cannula to create a septum separating the lumens of the first and second sub-cannulas, wherein the reinforcement of the lumen of the first sub-cannula resists deflection of the septum as a result of differing fluid pressure levels inside the lumens.

Claim 13

A multi-lumen cannula assembly for conducting fluid to and from a body, the multi-lumen cannula assembly comprising: a first sub-cannula including a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, a reinforcement to resist radial deflection of the lumen, and a cannula tip located at the distal end, the cannula tip having a plurality of fluid apertures formed therein; and a second sub-cannula including a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a cannula tip located at the distal end, the cannula tip having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein, the plurality of fluid outlets being directed toward the proximal end of the second sub-cannula to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the second sub-cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow, the second sub-cannula adhered to a portion of the first sub-cannula to create a septum separating the lumens of the first and second sub-cannulas, wherein the reinforcement of the lumen of the first sub-cannula resists deflection of the septum as a result of differing fluid pressure levels inside the lumens.

Claim 14

A multi-lumen cannula assembly according to claim 10, wherein the obtuse angle is between approximately 105° and 170°.

Claim 15

A multi-lumen cannula assembly according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of fluid outlets are distributed about at least a sector of the cannula tip of the second sub-cannula.

Claim 16

A multi-lumen cannula assembly according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fluid outlets of the second sub-cannula includes an opening formed in an interior surface of the cannula tip and an opening formed in an exterior surface of the cannula tip, the exterior surface opening being located proximally of the interior surface opening.

Claim 17

A multi-lumen cannula assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cannula tip of the second sub-cannula extends along a longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of fluid outlets being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 18

A multi-lumen cannula assembly according to claim 13, wherein the exterior surface opening of a first fluid outlet does not overlap the interior surface opening of any adjacent fluid outlet.

Claim 19

A multi-lumen cannula assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cannula tip of the first sub-cannula is adapted to be inserted into one of a first chamber of a heart or vessel fluidly communicating with the heart, the cannula tip of the second sub-cannula is adapted to be inserted into one of a second chamber of the heart or vessel fluidly communicating with the heart, the plurality of fluid outlets of the second sub-cannula being adapted to direct the fluid away from the one of the second chamber of the heart or vessel fluidly communicating therewith.

Claim 20

A multi-lumen cannula assembly according to claim 16, wherein the second sub-cannula is adapted to be inserted into the aorta, and the plurality of fluid outlets of the second sub-cannula are adapted to direct the fluid away from the aortic valve.

Claim 23

A method for steering in accordance with claim 18, wherein the sector may be up to approximately half of the cannula tip.

Claim 24

A method for steering in accordance with claim 18, wherein each of the at least one fluid outlet is directed toward the proximal end of the cannula body to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow.

Claim 25

A method for steering in accordance with claim 20, wherein the obtuse angle is between approximately 105° and 170°.

Claim 26

A method for steering in accordance with claim 20, wherein each of the at least one fluid outlet includes an opening formed in an interior surface of the side wall and an opening formed in an exterior surface of the side wall, the exterior surface opening being located proximally of the interior surface opening.

Claim 27

A method for steering in accordance with claim 22, wherein the cannula tip extends along a longitudinal axis, each of the at least one fluid outlet being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 28

A method for steering in accordance with claim 22, wherein the cannula tip extends along a longitudinal axis, each of the at least one fluid outlet being non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 29

A cannula for conducting fluid to a body, the cannula comprising: a cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen adapted to receive the fluid flowing therethrough, the cannula body including a mid-section having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein, each of the plurality of fluid outlets being directed toward the proximal end of the cannula body to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow; a cannula tip coupled to the distal end of the cannula body; a second cannula body adhered to a portion of the first cannula body, the second cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; and a septum separating the lumens of the cannula body and the second cannula body wherein the reinforcement of the lumen of the cannula body resists deflection of the septum as a result of differing fluid pressure levels inside the lumens.

Claim 30

A cannula for conducting fluid to a body, the cannula comprising: a cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen adapted to receive the fluid flowing therethrough, the cannula body including a mid-section having a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein, each of the plurality of fluid outlets being directed toward the proximal end of the cannula body to reverse the flow of fluid exiting the cannula by an obtuse angle from the original direction of flow; a cannula tip coupled to the distal end of the cannula body; a second cannula body adhered to a portion of the first cannula body, the second cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; and a septum separating the lumens of the cannula body and the second cannula body wherein the reinforcement of the lumen of the cannula body resists deflection of the septum as a result of differing fluid pressure levels inside the lumens.

Claim 31

A cannula according to claim 25, wherein the obtuse angle is between approximately 105° and 170°.

Claim 32

A cannula according to claim 25, wherein the cannula tip has a plurality of fluid outlets formed therein.