The present invention related to a coring tool for preparing a core or opening through tissue and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention include a coring tool including: (a) a frame having proximal and distal directions; (b) an operator interface element mounted to the frame and movable between a rest position and an actuated position; (c) a coring head having at least one cutting blade, the coring head being mounted to the frame for movement in the proximal and distal directions; and (d) a actuation mechanism connected between the coring head and the operator interface element, the actuation mechanism including a selector element having first and second positions, the actuation mechanism being arranged to move the coring head distally responsive to movement of the interface element from the rest position toward the actuated position when the selector element is in the first position, and to move the coring head proximally responsive to movement of the interface element from the rest position toward the actuated position when the selector element is in the second position.

A method and devices for mitigating the risk of limb ischemia includes inserting a femoral arterial cannula into a femoral artery of a limb, the femoral arterial cannula having a low-profile balloon to seal the femoral artery. Once in situ in the femoral artery, the femoral arterial cannula balloon is inflated to seal said femoral artery to deliver blood flow in a retrograde direction to said limb while simultaneously delivering systemic arterial blood flow. A femoral venous cannula is also inserted into a femoral vein of said limb, the femoral venous cannula having a broad-profile balloon to seal the femoral vein. Once in situ in said femoral vein, the femoral venous cannula balloon is inflated to seal the femoral vein to drain venous blood flow from the limb while simultaneously draining systemic venous blood flow.

A method and devices for mitigating the risk of limb ischemia includes inserting a femoral arterial cannula into a femoral artery of a limb, the femoral arterial cannula having a low-profile balloon to seal the femoral artery. Once in situ in the femoral artery, the femoral arterial cannula balloon is inflated to seal said femoral artery to deliver blood flow in a retrograde direction to said limb while simultaneously delivering systemic arterial blood flow. A femoral venous cannula is also inserted into a femoral vein of said limb, the femoral venous cannula having a broad-profile balloon to seal the femoral vein. Once in situ in said femoral vein, the femoral venous cannula balloon is inflated to seal the femoral vein to drain venous blood flow from the limb while simultaneously draining systemic venous blood flow.

Blood pump assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating blood pump assemblies are provided. The blood pump assembly includes a pump and an impeller blade rotatably coupled to the pump. The blood pump assembly also includes a pump housing component sized for passage through a body lumen and coupled to the pump. The pump housing component includes a peripheral wall extending about a rotation axis of the impeller blade. The peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral wall surface and an outer peripheral wall surface. The peripheral wall also includes one or more blood exhaust apertures. Each blood exhaust aperture in the one or more blood exhaust apertures is defined by an inner aperture edge and an outer aperture edge. Each inner aperture edge is chamfered between the inner peripheral wall surface and the outer peripheral wall surface.

Blood pump assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating blood pump assemblies are provided. The blood pump assembly includes a pump and an impeller blade rotatably coupled to the pump. The blood pump assembly also includes a pump housing component sized for passage through a body lumen and coupled to the pump. The pump housing component includes a peripheral wall extending about a rotation axis of the impeller blade. The peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral wall surface and an outer peripheral wall surface. The peripheral wall also includes one or more blood exhaust apertures. Each blood exhaust aperture in the one or more blood exhaust apertures is defined by an inner aperture edge and an outer aperture edge. Each inner aperture edge is chamfered between the inner peripheral wall surface and the outer peripheral wall surface.

A dual lumen coaxial cannula, assembly includes a first infusion tube having a first elongate body defining a first lumen therethrough and a second drainage tube co-axially aligned with the first infusion tube and having a second elongate body with a second lumen defined by a space between the first infusion tube and second drainage tube. A connector is removably attached to the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube for coupling the dual lumen coaxial cannula to an extracorporeal blood circuit. The first infusion tube and the second drainage tube include a plurality of infusion and drainage apertures, respectively, provided at the distal end and extending through the sidewall of the first infusion tube and the drainage tube, respectively.

A bifurcated cannula for directing blood into the arterial system. The bifurcated cannula including an ingress channel and first and second egress channels. The first egress channel directs a first portion of the blood entering the bifurcated cannula into the arterial system in a first direction. The second egress channel directs a second portion of the blood entering the bifurcated cannula into the arterial system in a direction that opposes the first direction.

Apparatus and methods are described including coupling a rigid tube to a drive cable that comprises a plurality of coiled wires, by placing ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube at a given location within a butt-welding overtube. The ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube are visible when they are disposed at the given location within the butt-welding overtube, via a window defined by the butt-welding overtube. The placement of the drive cable within the butt-welding overtube is such that a helical groove within a portion of the butt-welding overtube is disposed over the drive cable. Welding rings are formed around the butt-welding overtube. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including coupling a rigid tube to a drive cable that comprises a plurality of coiled wires, by placing ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube at a given location within a butt-welding overtube. The ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube are visible when they are disposed at the given location within the butt-welding overtube, via a window defined by the butt-welding overtube. The placement of the drive cable within the butt-welding overtube is such that a helical groove within a portion of the butt-welding overtube is disposed over the drive cable. Welding rings are formed around the butt-welding overtube. Other applications are also described.

The present invention discloses a self-sealing cannula and methods of its use. The self-sealing cannula can be minimally invasively placed into the heart for drawing and/or returning blood with a self-sealing function at the interface of the blood access site. The disclosed cannula can be implemented as a single lumen cannula or a double lumen cannula, which can be used with ventricular assist devices for heart support or pump-oxygenators for ECMO and respiratory support. Through a self-sealing mechanism fixed on the ventricular wall or atrial wall, a cannula body is attached to the self-sealing fixture and blood is drawn into the lumen via an external pump and returned to the circulation system through a separate cannula. In the case of the double lumen cannula embodiment, the blood will be drawn into the drainage lumen of the double lumen cannula and returned through an infusion lumen at the desired location. The present invention achieves minimally invasive insertion without surgical sutures to the heart, and allows for optimal drainage of the blood from the heart. With use of the double lumen cannula, it prevents need for multiple cannulation sites, and greatly reduces the blood recirculation. Removal of the cannula is simplified without need for suturing or insertion of a plugging member.