University System of Maryland

Keshava Rajagopal

Zhongjun Wu

Bartley Griffith

Bartley P Griffith

The present invention discloses a self-sealing cannula and methods of its use. The self-sealing cannula can be minimally invasively placed into the heart for drawing and/or returning blood with a self-sealing function at the interface of the blood access site. The disclosed cannula can be implemented as a single lumen cannula or a double lumen cannula, which can be used with ventricular assist devices for heart support or pump-oxygenators for ECMO and respiratory support. Through a self-sealing mechanism fixed on the ventricular wall or atrial wall, a cannula body is attached to the self-sealing fixture and blood is drawn into the lumen via an external pump and returned to the circulation system through a separate cannula. In the case of the double lumen cannula embodiment, the blood will be drawn into the drainage lumen of the double lumen cannula and returned through an infusion lumen at the desired location. The present invention achieves minimally invasive insertion without surgical sutures to the heart, and allows for optimal drainage of the blood from the heart. With use of the double lumen cannula, it prevents need for multiple cannulation sites, and greatly reduces the blood recirculation. Removal of the cannula is simplified without need for suturing or insertion of a plugging member.

Self-sealing cannula

The present invention discloses a self-sealing cannula that through a self-sealing mechanism fixed on the ventricular wall or atrial wall, the cannula body is attached to the self-sealing fixture and blood is drawn into the lumen via an external pump and returned to the circulation system through a separate cannula; in the case of the double lumen cannula embodiment, the blood will be drawn into the drainage lumen of the double lumen cannula and returned through an infusion lumen at the desired location.

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Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Keshava Rajagopal