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Abstract

A balloon occlusion device for aspirating embolic material from a blood vessel, such as from the aorta during cardiac surgery. The device includes an arterial cannula having a proximal end adapted to receive blood from a bypass-oxygenator machine, a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a blood flow lumen extending between the proximal end and an outlet on the distal end. The cannula has an aspiration port proximate to the outlet, which communicates with an aspiration lumen. The cannula also includes an inflatable balloon attached to the cannula between the outlet and the aspiration port and capable of assuming an inflated condition for occluding a blood vessel. To use the device, the distal end of the cannula is introduced into a blood vessel, such as the aorta, the outlet is oriented downstream for delivering blood, and the balloon is inflated to occlude the vessel. Fluid may then be flushed into and aspirated out through the aspiration port as desired to remove loose embolic material from the vessel upstream of the balloon. Optionally, the device may include a second deployable balloon for further occluding the vessel at a second location.

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First Claim