Catheter system and method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery

Claim 2

A catheter system for bypassing a heart of a patient during heart surgery, wherein the heart has an aorta, an aortic root, a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, and a left ventricle, the catheter system comprising: (a) a cardiopulmonary bypass pump having an outlet port for the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to arterial circulation and an inlet port for receiving blood from venous circulation; (b) an arterial perfusion catheter comprising a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end, and further having a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen, an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end communicating with said first lumen and defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from the aortic root said heart, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and an inflation port communicating with said second lumen and an inlet port communicating with said second lumen and said inflation port; an expandable member carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end and spaced in an axially proximal direction from said arterial venting orifice where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said inflation port; and a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximate end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into the aorta of said patient where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible Arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member; and means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said outlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump; and (c) normally closed valve means communicating with said first lumen for selectively permitting the flow of cardioplegic solution within said single flow path or for selectively evacuating fluid from said aortic root through said single flow path; (d) a venous catheter comprising a flexible venous member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end and an axially extending venous cavity therethrough, and having a first venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first venous lumen, said flexible venous member further having a second venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second venous lumen; a first expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous member adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous member for occluding the superior vena cava of said patient, where said flexible venous member has a first venous return port spaced intermediate said distal end of said flexible venous member and said first expandable venous member and communicating with said venous cavity for receiving blood from the superior vena cava of said patient, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; a second expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous member proximately of said first expandable venous member for occluding the inferior vena cava of said patient, said flexible venous member having a second venous return port spaced proximately and adjacent said second expandable venous member and communicating with said venous cavity for receiving blood from the inferior vena cava of said patient, and where said second expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said second venous inflation port; and means associated with said flexible venous member for connecting said flexible venous member to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump so as to permit said venous cavity to be in fluid communication with said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 3

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 1 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member, and where each one of said plurality of steering cables extends respectively through one of said plurality of steering lumens, and steering means connected to said plurality of steering cables adjacent said second ends of said plurality of steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said plurality of steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 4

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 2 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 5

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during surgery recited in claim 3 wherein said flexible venous member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced venous steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of venous steering cables having respectively a first end and a second end where each said first end is fixed to said flexible venous member adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous member and where each one of said plurality of venous steering cables extends respectively through one of said venous steering lumens, and venous steering means connected to said plurality of venous steering cables adjacent said second ends of said venous steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said venous steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said flexible venous member to articulate.

Claim 6

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during surgery recited in claim 4 further comprising venous sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said flexible venous member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said flexible venous member.

Claim 7

The catheter system recited in claim 1 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a third lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a decompression port located proximally of said expandable member and communicating with said third lumen, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a second opening located adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member communicating with both said third lumen and said decompression port defining a flow path for blood suctioned from the left ventricle of said heart, where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice to permit said second opening to communicate with said left ventricle of said heart while said arterial venting orifice communicates with said aortic root of said heart.

Claim 8

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 6 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is respectively fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member, and where each one of said plurality of steering cables extends respectively through one of said plurality of steering lumens, and steering means connected to said plurality of steering cables adjacent each said second end for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said plurality of steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 9

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 7 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 10

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 8 wherein said flexible venous member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced venous steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of venous steering cables having a first end and a second end where each said first end is fixed to said flexible venous member adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous member and where each one of said plurality of venous steering cables extends respectively through one of said plurality of venous steering lumens, and venous steering means connected to said plurality of venous steering cables adjacent each said second end of said plurality of venous steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said plurality of venous steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said flexible venous member to articulate.

Claim 11

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 9 further comprising venous sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said flexible venous member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said flexible venous member.

Claim 12

A catheter system for bypassing a heart of a patient during heart surgery, wherein the heart has an aorta, an aortic root, a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, and a left ventricle, the catheter system comprising: (a) a cardiopulmonary bypass pump having an outlet port for the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to arterial circulation and an inlet port for receiving blood from venous circulation; (b) an arterial perfusion catheter comprising a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end communicating with said first lumen and defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from the aortic root of said heart, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and an inflation port communicating with said second lumen and an inlet port communicating with said second lumen and said inflation port; an expandable member carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end and spaced in an axially proximal direction from said arterial venting orifice where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said inflation port; and a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximate end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into the aorta of said patient where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member; and means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said outlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump; and (c) normally closed valve means communicating with said first lumen for selectively permitting the flow of cardioplegic solution within said single flow path or for selectively evacuating fluid from the aortic root of said heart through said single flow path; (d) a venous catheter comprising a first flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen; a first expandable venous member carried by said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula for occluding the superior vena cava of said patient, where said first flexible venous cannula has an orifice spaced distally of said first expandable venous member communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from the superior vena cava of said patient, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; a second flexible venous cannula having a second axis of elongation and a distal end and proximal end, said second flexible venous cannula having a second axially extending cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula communicating with said second cavity, where said second cavity is adapted for receiving said first flexible venous cannula to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula, said second flexible venous cannula having a second venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second venous lumen; a second expandable venous member carried by said second flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula for occluding the inferior vena cava of said patient, where said second flexible venous cannula has a venous return port spaced proximally and adjacent said second expandable venous member, said second flexible venous cannula having a third cavity extending at least in part axially therethrough for receiving blood from the inferior vena cava of said patient and where said venous return port communicates with said third cavity; and connecting means associated with said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula for connecting said first cavity and said third cavity to said inlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 13

A catheter system for bypassing a heart of a patient during heart surgery, wherein the heart has an aorta, an aortic root, a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, and a left ventricle, the catheter system comprising: (a) a cardiopulmonary bypass pump having an outlet port for the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to arterial circulation and an inlet port for receiving blood from venous circulation; (b) an arterial perfusion catheter comprising a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end communicating with said first lumen and defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from the aortic root of said heart, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and an inflation port communicating with said second lumen and an inlet port communicating with said second lumen and said inflation port; an expandable member carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end and spaced in an axially proximal direction from said arterial venting orifice where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said inflation port; and a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximate end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into the aorta of said patient where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member; and means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said outlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump; and (c) normally closed valve means communicating with said first lumen for selectively permitting the flow of cardioplegic solution within said single flow path or for selectively evacuating fluid from the aortic root of said heart through said single flow path; (d) a venous catheter comprising a first flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen; a first expandable venous member carried by said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula for occluding the superior vena cava of said patient, where said first flexible venous cannula has an orifice spaced distally of said first expandable venous member communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from the superior vena cava of said patient, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; a second flexible venous cannula having a second axis of elongation and a distal end and proximal end, said second flexible venous cannula having a second axially extending cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula communicating with said second cavity, where said second cavity is adapted for receiving said first flexible venous cannula to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula, said second flexible venous cannula having a second venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second venous lumen; a second expandable venous member carried by said second flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula for occluding the inferior vena cava of said patient, where said second flexible venous cannula has a venous return port spaced proximally and adjacent said second expandable venous member, said second flexible venous cannula having a third cavity extending at least in part axially therethrough for receiving blood from the inferior vena cava of said patient and where said venous return port communicates with said third cavity; and connecting means associated with said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula for connecting said first cavity and said third cavity to said inlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 14

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 11 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member, and where each one of said steering cables extends respectively through one of said steering lumens, and steering means connected to said steering cables adjacent said second ends of said steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 15

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 12 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 16

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during surgery recited in claim 13 wherein said first flexible venous cannula further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced venous steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of venous steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is fixed to said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula and where each one of said venous steering cables extends respectively through one of said venous steering lumens, and venous steering means connected to said venous steering cables adjacent said second ends of said venous steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said venous steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula to articulate.

Claim 17

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during surgery recited in claim 14 further comprising venous sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible venous cannula for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula.

Claim 18

The catheter system recited in claim 11 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a third lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a decompression port located proximally of said expandable member and communicating with said third lumen, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a second opening located adjacent said distal end of said first flexible cannula communicating with both said third lumen and said decompression port defining a flow path for blood suctioned from the left ventricle of said heart, where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice to permit said second opening to communicate with the left ventricle of said heart while said arterial venting orifice communicates with said aortic root.

Claim 19

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 16 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member, and where each one of said steering cables extends respectively through one of said steering lumens, and steering means connected to said steering cables adjacent said second ends of said steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 20

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 17 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 21

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 18 wherein said flexible venous cannula further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced venous steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of venous steering cables having a first end and a second end where said first end is fixed to said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula and where each one of said venous steering cables extends respectively through one of said venous steering lumens, and venous steering means connected to said venous steering cables adjacent said second ends of said steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said venous steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula to articulate.

Claim 22

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 19 further comprising venous sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible venous cannula for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula.

Claim 23

A catheter system for bypassing a heart of a patient during heart surgery, wherein the heart has an aorta, an aortic root, a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, and a left ventricle, the catheter system comprising: (a) a cardiopulmonary bypass pump having an outlet port for the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to arterial circulation and an inlet port for receiving blood from venous circulation; (b) an arterial perfusion catheter comprising a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end communicating with said first lumen and defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from the aortic root of said heart, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a third lumen and a decompression port communicating with said third lumen and a second opening communicating with said third lumen and said decompression port defining a flow path for blood suctioned from the left ventricle of said heart where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice to permit said second opening to communicate with the left ventricle of said heart while said arterial venting orifice communicates with the aortic root of said heart; a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximal end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into the aorta of said patient where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an inlet port and an inflation lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough communicating with said inlet port and an inflation port communicating with both said inflation lumen and said inlet port; an expandable member carried by said second flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses said inflation port; and means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said outlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump; (c) normally closed valve means communicating with said first lumen for selectively permitting the flow of cardioplegia solution within said single flow path or for selectively evacuating fluid from said aortic root through said single flow path; and (d) a venous catheter comprising a flexible venous member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end and an axially extending venous cavity therethrough, and having a first venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first venous lumen, said flexible venous member further having a second venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second venous lumen; a first expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous member adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous member for occluding the superior vena cava of said patient, where said flexible venous member has a first venous return port spaced intermediate said distal end of said flexible venous member and said first expandable venous member and communicating with said venous cavity for receiving blood from said superior vena cava, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; a second expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous member proximately of said first expandable venous member for occluding the inferior vena cava of said patient, said flexible venous member having a second venous return port spaced proximately and adjacent said second expandable venous member and communicating with said venous cavity for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava, and where said second expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said second venous inflation port; and means associated with said flexible venous member for connecting said flexible venous member to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump so as to permit said venous cavity to be in fluid communication with said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 24

A catheter system for bypassing a heart of a patient during heart surgery, wherein the heart has an aorta, an aortic root, a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, and a left ventricle, the catheter system comprising: (a) a cardiopulmonary bypass pump having an outlet port for the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to arterial circulation and an inlet port for receiving blood from venous circulation; (b) an arterial perfusion catheter comprising a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end communicating with said first lumen and defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from the aortic root of said heart, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a third lumen and a decompression port communicating with said third lumen and a second opening communicating with said third lumen and said decompression port defining a flow path for blood suctioned from the left ventricle of said heart where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice to permit said second opening to communicate with the left ventricle of said heart while said arterial venting orifice communicates with the aortic root of said heart; a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximal end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into the aorta of said patient where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an inlet port and an inflation lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough communicating with said inlet port and an inflation port communicating with both said inflation lumen and said inlet port; an expandable member carried by said second flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses said inflation port; and means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said outlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump; (c) normally closed valve means communicating with said first lumen for selectively permitting the flow of cardioplegia solution within said single flow path or for selectively evacuating fluid from said aortic root through said single flow path; and (d) a venous catheter comprising a flexible venous member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end and an axially extending venous cavity therethrough, and having a first venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first venous lumen, said flexible venous member further having a second venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second venous lumen; a first expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous member adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous member for occluding the superior vena cava of said patient, where said flexible venous member has a first venous return port spaced intermediate said distal end of said flexible venous member and said first expandable venous member and communicating with said venous cavity for receiving blood from said superior vena cava, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; a second expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous member proximately of said first expandable venous member for occluding the inferior vena cava of said patient, said flexible venous member having a second venous return port spaced proximately and adjacent said second expandable venous member and communicating with said venous cavity for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava, and where said second expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said second venous inflation port; and means associated with said flexible venous member for connecting said flexible venous member to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump so as to permit said venous cavity to be in fluid communication with said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 25

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 21 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is respectively fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member, and where each one of said steering cables extends respectively through one of said steering lumens, and steering means connected to said steering cables adjacent said second ends 0f said steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 26

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 22 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 27

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 23 wherein said flexible venous member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced venous steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of venous steering cables having a first end and a second end where said first end is fixed to said flexible venous member adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous member and where each one of said venous steering cables extends respectively through one of said venous steering lumens, and venous steering means connected to said venous steering cables adjacent said second ends of said venous steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said venous steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said flexible venous member to articulate.

Claim 28

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during surgery recited in claim 24 further comprising venous sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said flexible venous member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said flexible venous member.

Claim 29

A catheter system for bypassing a heart of a patient during heart surgery, wherein the heart has an aorta, an aortic root, a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, and a left ventricle, the catheter system comprising: (a) a cardiopulmonary bypass pump having an outlet port for the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to arterial circulation and an inlet port for receiving blood from venous circulation; (b) an arterial perfusion catheter comprising a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first lumen and defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from the aortic root of said patient, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a third lumen and a decompression port communicating with said third lumen and a second opening communicating with said third lumen and said decompression port defining a flow path for blood suctioned from the left ventricle of said heart where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice to permit said second opening to communicate with the left ventricle of said heart while said arterial venting orifice communicates with said aortic root; a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximal end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into the aorta of said patient where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an inlet port and an inflation lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough communicating with said inlet port and an inflation port communicating with both said inflation lumen and said inlet port; an expandable member carried by said second flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses said inflation port; and means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said outlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump; and (c) normally closed valve means communicating with said first lumen for selectively permitting the flow of cardioplegia solution within said single flow path or for selectively evacuating fluid from said aortic root through said single flow path; (d) a venous catheter comprising a first flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen; a first expandable venous member carried by said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula for occluding the superior vena cava of said patient, where said first flexible venous cannula has an orifice spaced distally of said first expandable venous member communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from the superior vena cava of said patient, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; a second flexible venous cannula having a second axis of elongation and a distal end and proximal end, said second flexible venous cannula having a second axially extending cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula communicating with said second cavity, where said second cavity is adapted for receiving said first flexible venous cannula to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula, said second flexible venous cannula having a second venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second venous lumen; a second expandable venous member carried by said second flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula for occluding the inferior vena cava of said patient, where said second flexible venous cannula a venous return port spaced proximally and adjacent said second expandable venous member, said second flexible venous cannula having a third cavity extending at least in part axially therethrough for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava and where said venous return port communicates with said third cavity; and connecting means associated with said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula for connecting said first cavity and said third cavity to said inlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 30

A catheter system for bypassing a heart of a patient during heart surgery, wherein the heart has an aorta, an aortic root, a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, and a left ventricle, the catheter system comprising: (a) a cardiopulmonary bypass pump having an outlet port for the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to arterial circulation and an inlet port for receiving blood from venous circulation; (b) an arterial perfusion catheter comprising a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first lumen and defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from the aortic root of said patient, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a third lumen and a decompression port communicating with said third lumen and a second opening communicating with said third lumen and said decompression port defining a flow path for blood suctioned from the left ventricle of said heart where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice to permit said second opening to communicate with the left ventricle of said heart while said arterial venting orifice communicates with said aortic root; a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximal end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into the aorta of said patient where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an inlet port and an inflation lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough communicating with said inlet port and an inflation port communicating with both said inflation lumen and said inlet port; an expandable member carried by said second flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses said inflation port; and means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said outlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump; and (c) normally closed valve means communicating with said first lumen for selectively permitting the flow of cardioplegia solution within said single flow path or for selectively evacuating fluid from said aortic root through said single flow path; (d) a venous catheter comprising a first flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen; a first expandable venous member carried by said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula for occluding the superior vena cava of said patient, where said first flexible venous cannula has an orifice spaced distally of said first expandable venous member communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from the superior vena cava of said patient, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; a second flexible venous cannula having a second axis of elongation and a distal end and proximal end, said second flexible venous cannula having a second axially extending cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula communicating with said second cavity, where said second cavity is adapted for receiving said first flexible venous cannula to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula, said second flexible venous cannula having a second venous lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second venous lumen; a second expandable venous member carried by said second flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula for occluding the inferior vena cava of said patient, where said second flexible venous cannula a venous return port spaced proximally and adjacent said second expandable venous member, said second flexible venous cannula having a third cavity extending at least in part axially therethrough for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava and where said venous return port communicates with said third cavity; and connecting means associated with said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula for connecting said first cavity and said third cavity to said inlet port of said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 31

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 26 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member, and where each one of said steering cables extends means connected to said steering cables adjacent said second ends of said steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 32

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during heart surgery recited in claim 27 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 33

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during surgery recited in claim 28 wherein said first flexible venous cannula further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced venous steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of venous steering cables having first and second ends where each said first end is fixed to said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula and where each one of said venous steering cables extends respectively through one of said venous steering lumens, and venous steering means connected to said venous steering cables adjacent said second ends of said venous steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said venous steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula to articulate.

Claim 34

The catheter system for bypassing the heart during surgery recited in claim 29 further comprising venous sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible venous cannula for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula.

Claim 35

An arterial catheter device for occluding an aorta of a heart that has an aortic root and a left ventricle, for delivering cardioplegia solution, for providing aortic root venting, for providing left ventricle decompression, and for delivering oxygen-rich blood from a cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery of a patient comprising: (a) a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice communicating with said first lumen defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from said aortic root, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and an inflation port communicating with said second lumen, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having an inlet port in communication with said second lumen and said inflation port; (b) an expandable member carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member and spaced in an axially proximate direction from said arterial venting orifice where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said inflation port; (c) a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximate end said second flexible arterial cannula member further having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into said aorta where said second flexible cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member; (d) means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 36

An arterial catheter device for occluding an aorta of a heart that has an aortic root and a left ventricle, for delivering cardioplegia solution, for providing aortic root venting, for providing left ventricle decompression, and for delivering oxygen-rich blood from a cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery of a patient comprising: (a) a first flexible arterial cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximal end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice communicating with said first lumen defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from said aortic root, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and an inflation port communicating with said second lumen, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having an inlet port in communication with said second lumen and said inflation port; (b) an expandable member carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member and spaced in an axially proximate direction from said arterial venting orifice where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said inflation port; (c) a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximate end said second flexible arterial cannula member further having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into said aorta where said second flexible cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member; (d) means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 37

The catheter device recited in claim 31 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 38

The catheter device recited in claim 31 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further comprises a third lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough, said first flexible arterial cannula member having a decompression port located proximally of said expandable member and communicating with said third lumen, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a second opening located adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member communicating with both said third lumen and said decompression port defining a flow path for blood suctioned from said left ventricle, where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice so as to permit said second opening to communicate with said left ventricle while said arterial venting orifice is in communication with said aortic root.

Claim 39

The catheter device recited in claim 33 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 40

The catheter device recited in claim 33 where said first flexible arterial cannula member further includes a region of flexion located adjacent to and proximately of said expandable member where said region of flexion has less flexural rigidity than said first flexible arterial cannula member so as to permit enhanced elastic bending of said first flexible arterial cannula member within said region of flexion.

Claim 41

The catheter device recited in claim 34 where said first flexible arterial cannula member further includes a region of flexion located adjacent to and proximately of said expandable member where said region of flexion has less flexural rigidity than said first flexible arterial cannula member so as to permit enhanced elastic bending of said first flexible arterial cannula member within said region of flexion.

Claim 42

The catheter device for occluding the aorta recited in claim 33 wherein said first cannula further includes a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having a first and second end where said first end is fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member and where each one of said steering cables extends respectively through one of said steering lumens, and steering means connected to said steering cables at said second ends of said steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 43

An arterial catheter device for occluding an aorta of a heart that has an aortic root and a left ventricle, for delivering cardioplegia solution, for providing aortic root venting, for providing left ventricle decompression, and for delivering oxygen-rich blood from the cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery of a patient comprising: (a) a first flexible cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end communicating with said first lumen defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from said aortic root, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a third lumen and a decompression port communicating with said third lumen and located proximately of said arterial venting orifice and a second opening communicating with said third lumen defining a single flow path for blood suctioned from said left ventricle where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice so as to permit said second opening to communicate with said left ventricle while said arterial venting orifice is in communication with said aortic root; (b) a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximate end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into said aorta where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an inlet port and an inflation lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough communicating with said inlet port and further having an inflation port communicating with both said inflation lumen and said inlet port; (c) an expandable member carried by said second flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses said inflation port; and (d) means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 44

An arterial catheter device for occluding an aorta of a heart that has an aortic root and a left ventricle, for delivering cardioplegia solution, for providing aortic root venting, for providing left ventricle decompression, and for delivering oxygen-rich blood from the cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery of a patient comprising: (a) a first flexible cannula member having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end, and a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and having a first proximate port communicating with said first lumen and an arterial venting orifice contained adjacent said distal end communicating with said first lumen defining a single flow path for the passage of cardioplegia solution or for the evacuation of fluid from said aortic root, said first flexible arterial cannula member further having a third lumen and a decompression port communicating with said third lumen and located proximately of said arterial venting orifice and a second opening communicating with said third lumen defining a single flow path for blood suctioned from said left ventricle where said second opening is spaced sufficiently axially and distally from said arterial venting orifice so as to permit said second opening to communicate with said left ventricle while said arterial venting orifice is in communication with said aortic root; (b) a second flexible arterial cannula member having a second axis of elongation and a distal and proximate end, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an axially extending first cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member communicating with said first cavity to permit the passage of blood into said aorta where said second flexible arterial cannula member has a second axially extending cavity therethrough adapted for receiving said first flexible arterial cannula member to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible arterial cannula member and said second flexible arterial cannula member, said second flexible arterial cannula member having an inlet port and an inflation lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough communicating with said inlet port and further having an inflation port communicating with both said inflation lumen and said inlet port; (c) an expandable member carried by said second flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said second flexible arterial cannula member where said expandable member radially and sealingly encloses said inflation port; and (d) means associated with said second flexible arterial cannula member for connecting said second flexible arterial cannula member to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 45

The catheter device recited in claim 38 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible arterial cannula member for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member.

Claim 46

The catheter device for occluding the aorta recited in claim 38 wherein said first flexible arterial cannula member further includes a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having a first and second end where each said first end is fixed to said first flexible arterial cannula member adjacent said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member and where each one of said steering cables extends respectively through one of said steering lumens, and steering means connected to said steering cables at said second ends of said steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible arterial cannula member to articulate.

Claim 47

The catheter device recited in claim 38 where said second flexible arterial cannula member further includes a region of flexion located adjacent to and proximately of said expandable member where said region of flexion has less flexural rigidity than said second flexible arterial cannula member so as to permit enhanced elastic bending of said second flexible arterial cannula member within said region of flexion.

Claim 48

A venous catheter device for occluding a superior vena cava and an inferior vena cava of a heart of a patient and for delivering blood to a cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery comprising: (a) a flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen, said flexible venous cannula further having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second lumen; (b) a first expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous cannula for occluding said superior vena cava, where said flexible venous cannula has a first venous return port spaced intermediate said distal end of said flexible venous cannula and said first expandable venous member and communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from said superior vena cava, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; (c) a second expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous cannula proximately of said first expandable venous member for occluding said inferior vena cava, said flexible venous cannula having a second venous return port spaced proximately and adjacent said second expandable venous member and communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava, and where said second expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said second venous inflation port; (d) means associated with said flexible venous cannula for connecting said flexible venous cannula to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 49

A venous catheter device for occluding a superior vena cava and an inferior vena cava of a heart of a patient and for delivering blood to a cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery comprising: (a) a flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen, said flexible venous cannula further having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second lumen; (b) a first expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous cannula for occluding said superior vena cava, where said flexible venous cannula has a first venous return port spaced intermediate said distal end of said flexible venous cannula and said first expandable venous member and communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from said superior vena cava, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; (c) a second expandable venous member carried by said flexible venous cannula proximately of said first expandable venous member for occluding said inferior vena cava, said flexible venous cannula having a second venous return port spaced proximately and adjacent said second expandable venous member and communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava, and where said second expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said second venous inflation port; (d) means associated with said flexible venous cannula for connecting said flexible venous cannula to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 50

The venous catheter device recited in claim 42 wherein said flexible venous cannula further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having a first and second end where each said first end is fixed to said flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said flexible venous cannula and where each one of said steering cables extends respectively through one of said steering lumens, and steering means connected to said steering cables adjacent said second ends for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said flexible venous cannula to articulate.

Claim 51

The venous catheter device recited in claim 43 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said flexible venous cannula for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said flexible venous cannula within said patient.

Claim 52

A venous catheter device for occluding a superior vena cava and an inferior vena cava of a heart of a patient and for delivering blood to a cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery comprising: (a) a first flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen; (b) a first expandable venous member carried by said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula for occluding said superior vena cava, where said first flexible venous cannula has an orifice spaced distally of said first expandable venous member communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from said superior vena cava, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; (c) a second flexible venous cannula having a second axis of elongation and a distal end and proximate end, said second flexible venous cannula having a second axially extending cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula communicating with said second cavity, where said second cavity is adapted for receiving said first flexible venous cannula to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula, said second flexible venous cannula having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second lumen; (d) a second expandable venous member carried by said second flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula for occluding said inferior vena cava, where said second flexible venous cannula has a venous return port spaced proximately and adjacent said second expandable venous member, said second flexible venous cannula further having a third cavity extending at least in part axially therethrough for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava and where said venous return port communicates with said third cavity; (e) connecting means associated with said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula for connecting said first cavity and said third cavity to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 53

A venous catheter device for occluding a superior vena cava and an inferior vena cava of a heart of a patient and for delivering blood to a cardiopulmonary bypass pump during heart surgery comprising: (a) a first flexible venous cannula having an axis of elongation, a distal end and a proximate end and an axially extending cavity therethrough, and having a first lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a first venous inflation port communicating with said first lumen; (b) a first expandable venous member carried by said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula for occluding said superior vena cava, where said first flexible venous cannula has an orifice spaced distally of said first expandable venous member communicating with said cavity for receiving blood from said superior vena cava, and where said first expandable venous member radially and sealingly encloses and communicates with said first venous inflation port; (c) a second flexible venous cannula having a second axis of elongation and a distal end and proximate end, said second flexible venous cannula having a second axially extending cavity therethrough and a first opening adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula communicating with said second cavity, where said second cavity is adapted for receiving said first flexible venous cannula to permit relative slideable movement between said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula, said second flexible venous cannula having a second lumen extending at least in part axially therethrough and a second venous inflation port communicating with said second lumen; (d) a second expandable venous member carried by said second flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said second flexible venous cannula for occluding said inferior vena cava, where said second flexible venous cannula has a venous return port spaced proximately and adjacent said second expandable venous member, said second flexible venous cannula further having a third cavity extending at least in part axially therethrough for receiving blood from said inferior vena cava and where said venous return port communicates with said third cavity; (e) connecting means associated with said first flexible venous cannula and said second flexible venous cannula for connecting said first cavity and said third cavity to said cardiopulmonary bypass pump.

Claim 54

The venous catheter device recited in claim 45 wherein said first flexible venous cannula further comprises a plurality of radially and oppositely spaced steering lumens extending at least in part axially therethrough and a plurality of steering cables having a first end and second end where each said first end of said plurality of steering cables is fixed to said first flexible venous cannula adjacent said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula, and where each one of said steering cables extends respectively through one of said steering lumens, and steering means connected to said steering cables adjacent said second ends of said plurality of steering cables for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension in said steering cables so as to omnidirectionally permit said distal end of said first flexible venous cannula to articulate.

Claim 55

The venous catheter device recited in claim 46 further comprising sensor means responsive to ultrasound waves carried by said first flexible venous cannula for generating an electrical signal to be transformed into visual indicia of location of said first flexible venous cannula within the body of said patient.

Claim 58

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 48 wherein said arterial perfusion catheter further comprises a fourth lumen communicating with an opening adjacent said distal end of said arterial perfusion catheter where said distal end of said arterial perfusion catheter is sufficiently spaced distally from said expandable member to permit said distal end of said arterial perfusion catheter to extend across the aortic valve of said heart and into the left ventricle of said heart such that blood contained within the left ventricle of said heart may be suctioned through said opening and into said fourth lumen, and further comprising, after step f, the step of suctioning blood from the left ventricle of said heart into said fourth lumen.

Claim 59

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 48 wherein said expandable member carried by said arterial perfusion catheter is delineated by ultrasound sensors, further comprising the step of positioning said expandable member ultrasonically.

Claim 60

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass support during heart surgery recited in claim 48 wherein said expandable member carried by said arterial perfusion catheter is delineated by radiopaque markers, further comprising the step of positioning said expandable member fluoroscopically.

Claim 61

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 49 wherein said expandable member carried by said arterial perfusion catheter and said opening of said fourth lumen are delineated by ultrasound sensors, further comprising the step of positioning said expandable member and said opening of said fourth lumen ultrasonically.

Claim 62

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 49 wherein said expandable member is positioned by monitoring characteristic pressure wave forms transported by said fourth lumen to a display monitor.

Claim 63

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass support during heart surgery recited in claim 48 wherein said first expandable member and said second expandable member are delineated by ultrasound sensors, further comprising the step of positioning said first expandable member and said second expandable member ultrasonically.

Claim 64

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 49 wherein said first expandable member and said second expandable member are delineated by ultrasound sensors further comprising the step of positioning said first expandable member and said second expandable member ultrasonically.

Claim 65

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 48 further comprising the step of inserting a guide wire having a proximal and distal end into said preselected arterial vessel and advancing said guide wire through said preselected arterial vessel and into the aortic arch of the patient and thereafter advancing said arterial catheter along said guide wire as recited in step (b).

Claim 66

The method recited in claim 56 further comprising the step of advancing said distal end of said guide wire into the left ventricle of the patient.

Claim 69

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 58 wherein the insertion of said arterial perfusion catheter into the aorta of said patient is performed thorascopically.

Claim 70

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 58 further comprising, before steps a through j, the step of performing a thoracotomy or sternotomy and exposing the aorta of said patient.

Claim 73

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 61 wherein said first arterial catheter has a fourth lumen and an opening adjacent said distal end of said first arterial catheter where said fourth lumen communicates with said opening and where said distal end of said first arterial catheter is sufficiently removed distally from said expandable member to permit said distal end of said first arterial catheter to extend across the aortic valve of said heart and into the left ventricle of said heart such that blood contained within said left ventricle may be suctioned through said opening and into said fourth lumen, and further comprising after step (h) the step of suctioning blood from said left ventricle into said fourth lumen.

Claim 74

The method for providing cardiopulmonary bypass pump support during heart surgery recited in claim 62 further comprising the step of inserting a guidewire having a distal tip into said first arterial vessel of said patient and advancing said guidewire within said first arterial vessel into the aortic arch of said patient and thereafter advancing said first arterial catheter along said guidewire as recited in step (b).

Claim 75

The method recited in claim 63 further comprising the step of advancing said distal tip of said guidewire said the left ventricle.