Articulating cannula

Abstract

A cannula possessing a distal region and a proximal region, a slider mounted on the cannula, and a manipulator wire connecting the distal region and the slider, is articulated by proximal and distal displacements of the slider with respect to the distal end of the cannula.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An articulating cannula for use in a medical procedure, comprising: 
 a flexible distal region adapted to enter a vessel;    a proximal region;    a primary lumen extending from said distal region through said proximal region for delivery of fluids;    a slider slidably mounted on said cannula; and    a manipulator wire affixed to said flexible distal region and to said slider whereby movement of said slider bends said flexible distal region with respect to said proximal region.    
     
     
         2 . The cannula of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a blood filter device disposed about said distal region.    
     
     
         3 . The cannula of  claim 2 , wherein said blood filter device is disposed within said primary lumen and wherein said blood filter device comprises an umbrella frame.  
     
     
         4 . The cannula of  claim 2 , wherein said blood filter device is disposed within a secondary lumen of said cannula and wherein said blood filter device comprises an adjustable frame.  
     
     
         5 . The articulating cannula of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a diverter disposed about said flexible distal region.  
 
     
     
         6 . The articulating cannula of  claim 5  wherein said diverter comprises a hollow tube comprising a substantially cylindrical or conical wall impermeable to emboli, said hollow tube being substantially flexible, wherein said hollow tube is releasably carried by an insertion cannula disposed within said primary lumen of said articulating cannula.  
     
     
         7 . The articulating cannula of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a balloon disposed about said distal region; and    a secondary lumen in fluid communication with said balloon.    
     
     
         8 . The articulating cannula of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a tertiary lumen port distally located on said cannula with respect to said balloon; and  
 a tertiary lumen in fluid communication with said tertiary lumen port.  
 
     
     
         9 . The articulating cannula of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a manipulator wire tube in which said manipulator wire is disposed; and    a clamp attached to said slider, said clamp having a closed position fixing said slider to said cannula, said clamp having an open position in which said slider may be slidably displaced on said cannula.    
     
     
         10 . The articulating cannula of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an anchor attached to the distal end of said distal region wherein said manipulator wire attaches to said anchor.    
     
     
         11 . The articulating cannula of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of grooves on said handle; and wherein said clamp comprises at least one radially disposable ball on said slider which is biased into said grooves in said closed position.    
     
     
         12 . The articulating cannula of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of grooves on said handle; and wherein said clamp comprises at least one cam axially mounted on said slider wherein said cam is biased into said grooves in said closed position.    
     
     
         13 . The articulating cannula of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a coil spring integrally associated with said distal region.  
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a plurality of annular rings associated with said distal region.  
 
     
     
         15 . An articulating cannula for use in a medical procedure, comprising: 
 a distal region adapted to enter a vessel;    a proximal region;    a primary lumen extending from said distal region through said proximal region for delivery of fluids;    a slider slidably mounted on said cannula;    means for clamping said slider whereby said clamping means has a closed position fixing said slider to said cannula and whereby said clamping means has an open position in which said slider may be slidably displaced on said cannula; and    a manipulator wire affixed to said distal region and to said slider, whereby movement of said slider bends said distal region with respect to said proximal region.    
     
     
         16 . The articulating cannula of  claim 15  wherein said clamping means comprises a screw threadably disposed within said slider and configured to frictionally engage said cannula in said closed position.  
     
     
         17 . A method of cannulating fluids to a patient, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an articulating cannula, comprising: 
 a distal region adapted to enter a vessel; a proximal region;  
 a primary lumen extending from said distal region through said proximal region for delivery of fluids;  
 a slider slidably mounted on said cannula; a clamp attached to said slider, said clamp having a closed position fixing said slider to said cannula, said clamp having an open position in which said slider may be slidably displaced on said cannula; and  
 a manipulator wire affixed to said distal region and to said slider whereby movement of said slider bends said distal region with respect to said proximal region;  
   inserting said cannula into a vessel of a patient while said slider is positioned such that said distal and proximal regions are in a relatively straight line; and    applying a proximal force to said slider, whereby said manipulator wire bends said distal region with respect to said proximal region.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of inflating a balloon located about the distal portion of said cannula whereby the blood vessel is substantially occluded.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of inserting an umbrella frame blood filter device through the primary lumen of said cannula into the blood vessel.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of inserting an adjustable frame blood filter device through a secondary lumen of said cannula into the blood vessel.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of inserting a diverter through the primary lumen of said cannula into the blood vessel.