| abstract |
A cannula suitable for total bypass procedures in arterial and venous cannulation for extracorporeal perfusion of blood. The cannula has a tapered body of sufficient length for peripheral cannulation and openings through the cannula wall appropriately positioned to provide fluid transfer at various anatomical diversion sites within a patient's circulatory system in accordance with flow requirements necessary to maintain proper circulation is disclosed. The cannula structure can be adapted for bidirectional as well as unidirectional flow to maintain circulation in extremities otherwise ignored by single-directional flow cannulation. Reinforcing structure is disclosed for developing the required strength characteristics for the cannula wall, particularly for arterial applications. |