Quest Medical, Inc.

Tamera L Clark

Thomas C Thompson

Andrew Johnson

Don M Killman

Jack E Meyer

Andrew S Wechsler

The present invention relates to a retrograde cardioplegia catheter for the delivery of a cardioplegia solution to a patient's heart during open heart surgery. The catheter includes a flexible, elongated cannula having a proximal and a distal end. The cannula includes at least two lumens, the primary lumen being utilized to deliver cardioplegia solution. Typical of retrograde catheters, a sealing member is positioned and secured about the distal end of the cannula. In contrast to conventional catheters, however, the sealing member is comprised of (i) a thin-walled membrane that defines an interior chamber and (ii) a compressible, resilient form positioned within such chamber to fully support the membrane. The resilient form is in an expanded state when relaxed. The resilient form of the present invention enables the distribution of a consistent, definable force across the surface of the semi-rigid sealing member, whereby the resilient form empowers the sealing member of the present invention to overcome migratory tendencies of air- and fluid-filled sealing members typical of conventional retrograde cardioplegia catheters.

Retrograde cardioplegia catheter and method of use

An apparatus for rate controlled gravity drip delivery of a liquid from a replaceable storage container to a delivery site includes a first mount for removably suspending the container at a first elevation higher than the site. A second mount is located above the site, but at a second elevation below the first elevation by a predetermined amount. The second mount carries an intersurface comprising a venting tubing connector having an outlet into a delivery conduit extending to the site. A metering tube of predetermined flow resistance substantially higher than that of the delivery conduit extends from the container at one end and is releasably secured to the connector at its other end to define a two part flow path from the container to the site through the metering tube and delivery conduit. The venting of the connector subjects the fluid at the connector to the same ambient pressure as the fluid in the container so that the rate of delivery is substantially predetermined by the difference in the first and second elevations and flow resistance of the metering tube.

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McKinney, TX, United States of America

Tamera L Clark