Expandable venous cannula and method of use

An expandable venous cannula comprising:

• a tubular body having a length, a proximal opening, a plurality of distal ports located on a distal portion of said tubular body and a fluid lumen connecting said proximal opening to said plurality of distal ports, said fluid lumen being sized and configured to communicate fluid from a vein to an external cardiopulmonary bypass system;
• a scaffolding having a distal end and a proximal end coupled at its distal end to said tubular body having an expanded condition and a retracted position, said scaffolding surrounding said distal portion of said tubular body and said plurality of distal ports, said scaffolding being configured, when in the expanded condition to support an inner surface of the vein and prevent occlusion of said plurality of distal ports thereby facilitating fluid flow between the vein and said plurality of distal ports, wherein said scaffolding comprises a multiplicity of filaments arranged in a braided configuration, which is sized and configured to support the inner surface of the vein when in the expanded condition;
• an actuation member coupled to said distal end of said scaffolding.