Importance

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Abstract

A balloon-tipped extracorporeal cannula apparatus suitable for use in a cardiac cannulation technique including a first elongated and flexible tube having an open proximal end and a distal tip with at least a plurality of holes near the distal end, at least one inflatable balloon on the inside wall of the first tube adjacent to the holes, and a second flexible tube communicating with the balloon for readily inflating and deflating the balloon. When inflated, the balloon completely occludes the lumen of the first tube and extends at least to a point between the most distal portion and the most proximal portion of the holes near the distal end of the first tube thereby only partially obstructing the holes. In some applications, the inflated balloon may completely occlude the holes and occupy the entire intraluminal space in the distal end of the first tube to protect against the introduction of any entrapped air into the circulatory system upon initial insertion of the cannula. A method is further provided for inserting a balloon-tipped extracorporeal cannula during a cardiac cannulation technique comprising filling the lumen of the cannula with fluid, inflating the balloon on the inside wall of the cannula near the holes at its distal tip, inserting the distal end of the cannula into the circulatory system of the person through a prepared incision and deflating the balloon thereby allowing fluid to flow between the cannula and the circulatory system.

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First Claim