Method and Apparatus for Preventing Air Embolisms

Abstract

Method and apparatus for preventing air embolisms during surgical procedures which involves providing a fluid source in communication with an aperture extending into an anatomical cavity such that fluid may be delivered into the cavity when a condition of negative pressure exists in the cavity, thereby preventing the introduction of air into the cavity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 786,703 filed 28 Jun. 2001, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Preventing Air Embolisms,” which is a 35 U.S.C. §371 filing of PCT / US99 / 22572, filed 30 Sep. 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 102,561 filed on 30 Sep. 1998, entitled “Embolism Prevention Cannula.”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]I. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a safety arrangement for medical procedures. More particularly, the present invention involves a method and apparatus for preventing air embolisms during medical procedures involving the access of anatomical cavities.[0004]II. Brief Description of the Related Art[0005]Introducing instruments into anatomical cavities is commonplace in a wide variety of medical procedures. In cardiac surgery, cannulas are introduced into the various chambers of the heart to re-route bl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0037]Another aspect of the present invention involves providing a method of preventing air embolisms comprising the step of reducing or eliminating a condition of negative pressure within an anatomical cavity such that air will not be drawn through an aperture extending into the anatomical cavity.

[0041]One embodiment of the method includes the step of controlling the withdrawal of fluid from the anatomical cavity to reduce or eliminate the negative pressure.

[0042]One embodiment of the method includes the step of stopping the withdrawal of fluid from the anatomical cavity to reduce or eliminate the negative pressure.

[0043]One embodiment of the method includes the step of varying withdrawal of fluid from the anatomical cavity to reduce or eliminate the negative pressure.

Problems solved by technology

In each instance, the introduction of air into the anatomical cavity being accessed is undesirable in that it can present the possibility of air embolism formation.

In the circulatory system, for example, air embolisms pose the danger of a stroke to the patient.

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