Dual lumen cannula

A method of assisting a patient's heart, comprising the steps of:

• providing a dual lumen coaxial cannula assembly comprising:
• a first infusion tube having a first elongate body defining a first lumen therethrough, the first infusion tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
• a connector;
• a first connector portion provided at the proximal end of the first infusion tube for coupling the first infusion tube to the connector;
• a second drainage tube co-axially aligned with said first infusion tube and having a second elongate body with a second lumen defined by a space between the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube, the second drainage tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
• a second connector portion provided at the proximal end of the second drainage tube for coupling the second drainage tube to the connector;
• and
• wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion are removably connected to the connector for coupling the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube to an extracorporeal blood circuit,
• wherein the first connector portion has an enlarged diameter and increased sidewall thickness relative to the sidewall of the first elongate body,
• wherein the second connector portion has an enlarged diameter and increased sidewall thickness relative to the sidewall of the second elongate body,
• wherein the first infusion tube includes a plurality of infusion apertures and the second drainage tube includes a plurality of drainage apertures,
• wherein a total cross-sectional area of the plurality of infusion apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the first lumen, and
• wherein the total cross sectional area of the plurality of drainage apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the second lumen,
• inserting the dual lumen coaxial cannula into an internal jugular vein of the patient, the dual lumen coaxial cannula having a length to extend from the patient's neck area to the patient's heart;
• maneuvering the dual lumen coaxial cannula through the patient's vasculature such that the first distal end of the first infusion tube is substantially within the patient's pulmonary artery and such that the second distal end of the second drainage tube is substantially within the patient's right atrium;
• and
• connecting the connector to a blood pump for establishing right ventricular support.

A dual lumen coaxial cannula assembly comprising:

• a first infusion tube having a first elongate body defining a first lumen therethrough, the first infusion tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
• a connector;
• a first connector portion provided at the proximal end of the first infusion tube for coupling the first infusion tube to the connector;
• a second drainage tube co-axially aligned with said infusion tube and having a second elongate body with a second lumen defined by a space between the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube, the second drainage tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
• a second connector portion provided at the proximal end of the second drainage tube for coupling the second drainage tube to the connector;
• and
• wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion are connected to the connector for coupling the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube to an extracorporeal blood circuit,
• wherein the first connector portion has an enlarged diameter and increased sidewall thickness relative to the sidewall of the first elongate body,
• wherein the second connector portion has an enlarged diameter and increased sidewall thickness relative to the sidewall of the second elongate body,
• wherein the first infusion tube includes a plurality of infusion apertures and the second drainage tube includes a plurality of drainage apertures,
• wherein the plurality of infusion apertures is disposed circumferentially around the first infusion tube, and wherein a tapered portion of an internal portion of the first infusion tube extends distally beyond a circumferentially-disposed infusion aperture that is positioned closest to the distal end of the first infusion tube,
• wherein a total cross-sectional area of the plurality of infusion apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the first lumen, and
• wherein the total cross sectional area of the plurality of drainage apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the second lumen.