Integrated pump and cannula systems and related methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for transporting fluid between different locations within a body cavity and, in one particular application, systems and methods for transporting fluids to maintain at least partial blood flow through a protected blood flow path within the right and/or left side of the heart during surgery. The protected blood flow path may be established by positioning one or more conduits within at least a portion of the right and/or left sides(s) of the heart. At least partial blood flow may be maintained through the protected blood flow path by the pumping action of a blood pump disposed within the conduit.

1 . A system for maintaining at least partial blood flow within a heart, comprising: 
 a conduit introduced into the heart through at least one of the wall of the right atrium, the wall of the right ventricle, the wall of the pulmonary artery, the wall of left atrium, the wall of the left ventricle, and the wall of the aorta;    said conduit including a blood inlet port and a blood outlet port, said blood inlet port and said blood outlet port being positioned on either side of at least one of the tricuspid valve, the pulmonary valve, the bicuspid valve, and the aortic valve; and    a blood pump disposed within said conduit for selectively transporting blood from said blood inlet port to said blood outlet port of said conduit.