Bi-directional perfusion cannula

1. A bi-directional perfusion cannula comprising an elongate tube configured for insertion into an artery, the elongate tube comprising:

a distal portion comprising a generally cylindrical shape extending along a first longitudinal axis, a generally circular cross-section having a substantially uniform wall thickness, and a first aperture operable to direct blood flow from the tube in a first direction;

a proximal portion comprising a generally cylindrical shape extending along a second longitudinal axis that is not collinear with the first longitudinal axis, and a generally circular cross-section having a substantially uniform wall thickness; and

an intermediate portion extending between the distal portion and the proximal portion comprising:

a generally arcuate shape;

a generally oval cross-section comprising a substantially non-uniform wall thickness, a portion of the wall having a greater wall thickness and comprising a shoulder tapering outwardly in the direction toward the proximal portion;

a passageway comprising a substantially unobstructed flow path through the intermediate portion; and

a second aperture comprising an opening from the passageway through the portion of the wall having a greater wall thickness that is operable to direct blood flow from the tube in a second direction that is generally opposite to the first direction.

2. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis form an angle of about 90° to about 150°.

3. The cannula of claim 2 wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis form an angle of about 130°.

4. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the opening comprises a funnel-shape tapering from a larger diameter adjacent to the passageway to a smaller diameter extending through the wall.

5. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the opening extends along a third longitudinal axis that forms an acute angle with the blood flow through the tube as the blood flow approaches the opening.

6. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion retains the generally arcuate shape when the cannula is in a relaxed state.

7. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the shoulder facilitates the positioning of the cannula within the artery into which the cannula is inserted.

8. The cannula of claim 7 wherein the shoulder stents open a downstream side of the artery at the point where the cannula is inserted.

9. The cannula of claim 8 wherein the shoulder comprises a length that approximates the distance between the interior walls of the artery into which the cannula is inserted.

10. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the passageway comprises a generally circular cross-section having a substantially constant inner diameter.

11. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the cannula is configured to be inserted into a femoral artery.

12. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the elongate tube is configured to receive an elongate introducer therethrough to aid in the insertion of the cannula into the artery and to prevent blood flow through the first aperture while the elongate tube and introducer are being inserted into the artery.

13. The cannula of claim 1 further comprising a tapered introducer received through the elongate tube.

14. The cannula of claim 1 further comprising a manometer tube in communication with a pressure transducer, the manometer tube configured for measuring the pressure of blood flow from the tube in the second direction.

15. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion is formed from one of PVC, polyurethane, silicone and rubber.

16. A bi-directional perfusion cannula configured for insertion into an artery, the cannula comprising:

a distal portion extending along a first longitudinal axis and comprising a first aperture located at a distal end operable to direct blood flow from the cannula in an insertion direction;

a proximal portion extending along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are not collinear;

an intermediate portion located between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the intermediate portion comprising:

means for alleviating compression of the artery into which the cannula is inserted in a portion of the artery located downstream of the point of insertion of the cannula;

means for stenting open the artery into which the cannula is inserted at a downstream side of the point of insertion of the cannula;

means for directing blood flow from the cannula in a downstream direction; and

wherein the means for directing blood flow from the cannula in a downstream direction comprises:

a passageway comprising an unobstructed flow path; and

a cross-section having a substantially non-uniform wall thickness, wherein a portion of the wall having a greater wall thickness comprises an opening from the passageway through the wall.

17. The cannula of claim 16 wherein the means for alleviating downstream compression of the artery comprises an elbow portion in the cannula, wherein when the cannula is in a relaxed state, the elbow portion creates an angle between the distal portion and the proximal portion of about 90° to about 150°.

18. The cannula of claim 16 wherein the means for stenting open the artery comprises a cross-section having a substantially non-uniform wall thickness, wherein a portion of the wall having a greater wall thickness comprises an outwardly tapering shoulder having a length that approximates the distance between the interior walls of the artery.

19. The cannula of claim 16 , wherein the passageway comprises a generally circular cross-section having a substantially constant inner diameter.

20. The cannula of claim 16 wherein the cannula is configured to be inserted into a femoral artery.