Bidirectional flow catheter

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a bidirectional intravascular cannula, or catheter, that is configured to provide and return blood in a patient bidirectionally. The bidirectional intravascular cannula is configured to reduce or obviate the need for a second cannula, such as currently available unidirectional cannulae, to be placed in a second or opposite direction of flow. Users would include cardiac surgeons, intensivists, vascular surgeons, ER doctors, IR doctors and cardiologist who use peripheral cannulation for ECLS or cardiopulmonary bypass. The cannula allows continued flow to a patient's limb even with the cannula proximally in the vessel. The cannula further allows larger size cannula to be placed without the need for additional distal catheter placement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bidirectional flow catheter system, comprising:
 a cannula having a distal end and a proximal end opposite said distal end;   a forward flow port at said distal end of the cannula, said forward flow port configured to direct fluid from said cannula in a first direction;   a reverse flow port positioned proximally from said distal end of said cannula, said reverse flow port configured to direct fluid from said cannula in a second direction; and   a cap positioned on an exterior of said cannula and extending over said reverse flow port.