摘要 |
<p>A cardiovascular cannula (10) for use particularly in situations requiring varying forms of cardiopulmonary bypass. The cannula (10) which can be introduced percutaneously has an expandable section (16) in proximity to drainage inlets (14). In one form of the invention the cannula (10) is introduced percutaneously with the expansion means (16) collapsed after the cannula (10) has been introduced percutaneously through the vein into the right atrium the expansion means (16) is employed to prevent the atrium from collapsing around and possibly impeding flow through the cannula (10), for instance during percutaneous initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass or other venous drainage application.</p> |