Flow-through aortic flow divider for cerebral and coronary embolic protection

Abstract

The present invention takes the form of a catheter or cannula having a deployable flow-through aortic flow divider mounted on an elongated catheter shaft. The elongated catheter shaft is adapted for introduction into a patient's ascending aorta either by a direct aortic puncture or by a peripheral arterial approach. The aortic flow divider has an undeployed state where it is compressed or wrapped around the catheter shaft and a deployed state where it expands within the aortic lumen. The aortic flow divider is configured to provide embolic protection to the patient's brain and to the coronary arteries of the heart during cardiac surgery and other procedures involving cardiopulmonary bypass or circulatory support. One or more flow-through orifices near the upstream end of the aortic flow divider direct a flow of blood from the superior aortic arch into the aortic root, which creates a washing action that directs potential emboli out of the aortic root and away from the coronary arteries.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.