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US 6,440,120 B1Granted
Bendable shape-retaining cannula
AssigneeEmbol-X, Inc.
InventorTracy D. Maahs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bendable shape-retaining cannula and methods of use. The bendable shape-retaining cannula comprises a tubular member having a proximal region, a distal region adapted to enter a blood vessel or heart chamber, a lumen therebetween, and a flexible region positioned proximal the distal region. A suture flange may be disposed about the cannula distal the flexible region. The flexible region can be bent and retains its bent configuration until a positive force is applied.
Claims33
A bendable cannula comprising:
- a unibody tubular member having a proximal region, a distal region adapted to enter a blood vessel or heart chamber, a lumen extending therebetween and communicating with a distal opening, an expandable impermeable occluder mounted on the distal region, and a flexible region defined along a portion of the longitudinal axis, the flexible region being proximal the distal region and comprising accordion pleats;
- and
- a suture flange disposed about the cannula distal the flexible region and proximal the distal opening, wherein the flexible region of the cannula can be bent by offsetting said proximal region relative to said distal region so that a longitudinal axis of the proximal region is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal region, and wherein the bend in the flexible region is maintained.
A method for cannulation of a body tissue, comprising the steps of:
- providing a cannula comprising a unibody tubular member having a proximal region, a distal region, a lumen therebetween, an expandable impermeable occluder mounted on the distal region, and a flexible region comprising accordion pleats defined along a portion of the cannula, the flexible region being proximal the distal region;
- making an incision on an aorta;
- introducing the distal region of the cannula through the incision into the aorta;
- infusing fluid through the cannula;
- bending the flexible region by offsetting the proximal region relative to the distal region so that a longitudinal axis of the proximal region is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the distal region, wherein the bend in the flexible region is retained;
- and
- expanding the occluder.
4 more elements
A method for cannulation of a body tissue, comprising the steps of:
- providing a cannula comprising a unibody tubular member having a proximal region, a distal region, a lumen therebetween, an expandable filter mounted on the distal region, and a flexible region comprising accordion pleats defined along a portion of the cannula, the flexible region being proximal of the distal region;
- making an incision in an aorta;
- introducing the distal region of the cannula into the aorta;
- infusing fluid through the cannula;
- bending the flexible region by offsetting the proximal region relative to the distal region so that a longitudinal axis of the proximal region is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the distal region, wherein the bend in the flexible region is retained;
- and
- expanding the filter.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.