Cannula tip for use with a VAD

Abstract

The present invention includes various embodiments of methods of circulating blood in a mammalian circulatory system, and various blood circulation assemblies adapted to perform such circulation. In one embodiment of the present invention, a blood circulation assembly includes a blood circulation device having an inlet and a discharge; a first cannula including a proximal portion in communication with the inlet, the proximal portion having a wall extending around a first longitudinal axis and having outer and inner faces, said inner face defining a bore, and a distal portion including an outer face tapering distally toward said axis and at least two openings extending from said outer face and merging with one another to form a hollow space within said distal portion, said hollow space communicating with said bore of said proximal portion; and a second cannula including a proximal portion in communication with the discharge, the proximal portion having a wall extending around a first longitudinal axis and having outer and inner faces, said inner face defining a bore, and a distal portion including an outer face tapering distally toward said axis and at least two openings extending from said outer face and merging with one another to form a hollow space within said distal portion, said hollow space communicating with said bore of said proximal portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.