Expandable venous cannula and method of use
US6673042B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M29/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The cannula of the present invention is useful for standard gravity drainage or vacuum assisted/suction drainage. The cannula of the present invention has a flexible shaft composed of a tubular body and an expandable scaffolding. The expandable scaffolding has a contracted position, facilitating insertion into a vessel and an expanded condition configured to allow optimal drainage in a vessel. The cannula is inserted into a vessel and navigated into an operative position within the patient's venous system. Once the cannula is in the proper position, the scaffolding is expanded either through passive, active, mechanic, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal or electrical actuation. The cannula of the present invention is capable of expanding a collapsed vein to its normal diameter and/or capable of supporting the vein when suction is applied to the cannula to help increase fluid flow through the cannula.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.