Center For Technology Commercialization

TECHNOLOGY:   The standard right angle cannula used during cardiac surgery requires the technical expertise and skill of multiple individuals and is associated with significantly greater blood loss. Further, it has limited application during surgical approaches conducted via minimally sized incisions or alternative incisions (e.g., thoracotomy). While groin cannulation has facilitated and overcome some of these limitations, the standard groin cannulas can also be limited in certain circumstances (e.g., patients with peripheral vascular disease—not uncommon among cardiac patients) and also require an additional incision (groin) in a patient that could otherwise be left without. Finally, these cannulas often do not have the same hemodynamic and flow advantages as standard angled cannulas, leading to the necessity of additional technologies such as vacuum assist and their associated costs and disadvantages. Our right-angle cannula is designed to overcome these limitations, allowing for easy introduction of these angled cannulas (with better and optimal flow profiles) using the Seldinger technique, a simple method normally used for introducing catheters into vessels over a guide wire. In addition, the invention virtually eliminates any blood loss from standard cannulation, a feature that is of increasing importance to cardiac surgeons and patients (and their desire to miniaturize circuits and avoid blood exposure).   We are currently seeking a company that is interested in manufacturing and marketing this device.

This is  a brief description of the technology.

APPLICATIONS:  Cardiovascular Surgery

ADVANTAGES:  1)  Modification of technology well-known to cardiac surgery community, 2)  Facilitates minimally invasive surgery a) Simplicity of technique b) Reduced/absent blood loss with use

INVESTIGATOR:  Pirooz Eghtesady, MD, Cardiothoracic surgery

STATUS: Patent applications pending.

TECHNICAL FIELD:   Medical Device: Cardiovascular Surgery (2005-0703)