VESSEL CANNULA HAVING PROPERTIES VARYING ALONG THE AXIAL LENGTH

摘要

A vessel cannula having properties varying along the axial length thereof is shown. In one embodiment, the cannula has a relatively rigid distal portion and a relatively flaccid, pliable, proximal portion and a lumen extending through both the rigid and flaccid portions. A cannula with this structure is ideally suited for use in minimally invasive cardiac surgical procedures when it is desired to perform a distal perfusion of a coronary artery.