Inflatable cannula

Abstract

An expandable lumen cannula which includes an elongate tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate flexible region, and a lumen therebetween. The cannula further includes a balloon occluder mounted on the distal end of the tube. The intermediate flexible region of the tube further includes an elongate generally cylindrical balloon disposed circumferentially about the flexible region which, upon inflation, expands the luminal diameter of the intermediate region. First and second inflation ports are in fluid communication with the balloon occluder and the cylindrical balloon. The cannula may optionally include a cardioplegia port disposed within the distal region of the tube, proximal the balloon occluder and distal the generally cylindrical balloon. Methods of using such a cannula are also disclosed, particularly to provide cannulation through a minimally invasive port incision, and to thereafter displace the tissues and organs adjacent an intercostal access port upon inflation and expansion of the generally cylindrical balloon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An expandable lumen cannula, comprising: 
 an elongate tubular member having an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the elongate tubular member is expandable from a compressed condition to an expanded condition; and    an elongate balloon having a proximal opening and a distal opening, said elongate balloon being circumferentially disposed about the elongate tubular member, wherein a plurality of connections are formed between the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and the elongate balloon.    
     
     
         2 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate balloon further comprises an inner wall, wherein the proximal opening of the elongate balloon is sealed in a fluid-tight manner to the proximal end of the elongate tubular member, and the distal opening of the elongate balloon is sealed in a fluid-tight manner to the distal end of the elongate tubular member, and wherein a space is formed between the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and the inner wall of the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         3 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 2 , further comprising an inflation lumen, wherein the inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the space formed between the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and the inner wall of the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         4 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 3 , wherein the elongate tubular member is expandable from a compressed condition to an expanded condition when fluid is introduced through the inflation lumen into the space formed between the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and the inner wall of the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         5 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tubular member comprises any combination of polyethylene tetraflouride, extruded urethane, and nylon.  
     
     
         6 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate balloon comprises any combination of silicon, latex, and polyurethane.  
     
     
         7 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 1  further comprising an elongate cylindrical sleeve surrounding the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         8 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate balloon is toroidal, forming a lumen between its proximal opening and its distal opening.  
     
     
         9 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of connections are formed between the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and the lumen of the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         10 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the elongate tubular member is at an angle relative to its proximal end.  
     
     
         11 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 10 , further comprising a balloon occluder disposed about the distal end of the elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         12 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the elongate tubular member is adapted for attachment to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine.  
     
     
         13 . An expandable lumen cannula, comprising: 
 a first elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;    a second elongate tubular member having an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the proximal end being connected to the distal end of the first elongate tubular member, and the lumen of the second elongate tube being in fluid communication with the lumen of the first elongate tubular member; and    an elongate balloon having a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the elongate balloon is disposed circumferentially about the second elongate tubular member.    
     
     
         14 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 13 , wherein a plurality of connections are formed between the outer wall of the second elongate tubular member and the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         15 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 13 , wherein the proximal opening of the elongate balloon is sealed in a fluid-tight manner to the proximal end of the second elongate tubular member, and wherein the distal opening of the elongate balloon is sealed in a fluid-tight manner to the distal end of the second elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         16 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate balloon comprises an inner wall, and a space is formed between the inner wall of the elongate balloon and the outer wall of the second elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         17 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 16 , further comprising an inflation lumen, wherein the inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the space formed between the inner wall of the elongate balloon and the outer wall of the second elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         18 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 13 , wherein the second elongate tube is expandable from a compressed condition to an expanded condition.  
     
     
         19 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end of the second elongate tubular member is at an angle relative to its proximal end.  
     
     
         20 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 19 , further comprising a balloon occluder mounted on the distal end of the second elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         21 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 20 , further comprising a cardioplegia lumen extending distally from the first elongate tubular member and communicating with a cardioplegia port proximal the balloon occluder.  
     
     
         22 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 13 , wherein the proximal end of the first elongate tubular member is adapted for attachment to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine.  
     
     
         23 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate balloon is toroidal, forming a lumen between its proximal opening and its distal opening.  
     
     
         24 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of connections are formed between the outer wall of the second elongate tubular member and the lumen of the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         25 . An expandable lumen cannula, comprising: 
 an elongate tubular member having an outer wall, a proximal region, a distal region, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the distal region has a proximal end and a distal end; and    an elongate balloon having a proximal opening and a distal opening, said elongate balloon being disposed circumferentially about the distal region of the elongate tubular member.    
     
     
         26 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 25 , wherein a plurality of connections are formed between the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and the elongate balloon.  
     
     
         27 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 25 , wherein the proximal opening of the elongate balloon is sealed in a fluid-tight manner to the proximal end of the distal region of the elongate tubular member, and wherein the distal opening of the elongate balloon is sealed in a fluid-tight manner to the distal end of the distal region of the elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         28 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 27 , wherein the elongate balloon comprises an inner wall, and a space is formed between the inner wall of the elongate balloon and the outer wall of the elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         29 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 28 , further comprising an inflation lumen, wherein the inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the space formed between the inner wall of the elongate balloon and the elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         30 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 25 , wherein the distal region of the elongate tubular member is expandable from a compressed condition to an expanded condition.  
     
     
         31 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 25 , wherein the distal end of the distal region of the elongate tubular member is at an angle relative to the proximal end of the distal region.  
     
     
         32 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 31 , further comprising a balloon occluder mounted on the distal end of the distal region of the elongate tubular member.  
     
     
         33 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 32 , further comprising a cardioplegia lumen extending distally from the proximal region of the elongate tubular member and communicating with a cardioplegia port proximal the balloon occluder.  
     
     
         34 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 25 , wherein the proximal end of the proximal region of the elongate tubular member is adapted for attachment to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine.  
     
     
         35 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 26 , wherein the elongate balloon is toroidal, forming a lumen between its proximal opening and its distal opening.  
     
     
         36 . The expandable lumen cannula of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of connections are formed between the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and the lumen of the elongate balloon.