DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG.
1 depicts an embodiment of a cardioplegia occluder 1 for delivering cardioplegia to the aorta during cardiopulmonary bypass where the distal region 2 of the substantially rigid cannula 3 is curved to facilitate self-centering inside the aorta.
The distal end of the cannula 14 is adapted to enter the aorta In this embodiment, a spherical occluder 20 is circumferentially disposed about the outer surface 15 of the distal region of the cannula forming a chamber 21 with an inner surface 22, an outer surface, a proximal end 24 and a distal end.
In some embodiments, the occluder is an inflatable balloon.
In other embodiments, the balloon is foam-filled, so that the occluder may be inserted in a contracted condition, for instance, within a sleeve or under negative pressure, and when released from the sleeve or the negative pressure, will automatically expand to the predetermined shape.
Although FIG.
1 and FIG.
2 depict the occluder as spherical, in other embodiments, it is conical, elliptical or funnel shaped.
In the embodiment of FIG.
1 and FIG.
2, the occluder is an inflatable balloon covering a portion of the curved distal region of the cannula.
In certain embodiments, the occluder is circumferentially disposed about the distal region of the cannula so that the cannula runs through the longitudinal center axis of the occluder.
In other embodiments, the occluder is circumferentially disposed about the distal region of the cannula so that the cannula runs through a region displaced laterally from the longitudinal center axis of the occluder.
For a detailed discussion of the construction of a balloon occluder disposed on a cannula, the reader is referred to copending U.
S.
Applications Barbut et al.
, Ser.
No.
08/645,762, filed May 14, 1996, and Tsugita et al.
, Ser.
No.
08/854,806, filed May 12, 1997, both expressly incorporated herein by reference.
The cannula is typically a rigid or semi-rigid, preferably transparent tube having a proximal end adapted to receive cardioplegia solution and a cardioplegia lumen which extends distally from the proximal end and terminates and communicates with an infusion port in the distal region for delivery of cardioplegia solution to the aorta
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Heart Surgery 
