Device and method for preventing aspiration of air in cardiopulmonary bypass patients

摘要

A method and device for protecting the circulatory system of a patient from incurring injury from inadvertent passage of air into the aorta when elevated with respect to and supported by a heart-lung machine and associated nonocclusive pump. This device and method provides positioning a valve means having unidirectional flow properties within the extracorporeal blood line connecting the heart-lung machine and patient. The valve is configured to offer nominal resistance against blood being returned to the patient, while blocking blood flow from the patient to the heart-lung machine.