Method and apparatus for preventing air embolisms

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One aspect of the present invention involves providing a method of preventing air embolisms.
The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a fluid source in communication with an aperture extending into an anatomical cavity; and (b) delivering fluid from the fluid source into the anatomical cavity when a condition of negative pressure exists in the anatomical cavity.
One embodiment of the method includes the steps of providing a fluid delivery conduit in communication with the aperture of the anatomical cavity, and coupling the fluid source to the fluid delivery conduit to deliver fluid into the anatomical cavity.
One embodiment of the method includes the steps of providing the fluid delivery conduit with a first opening and a second opening, and providing a sealing member across the first opening of the fluid delivery conduit.
One embodiment of the method includes the steps of providing an aperture in the sealing member, introducing an instrument through the aperture in the sealing member, and extending the instrument into the anatomical cavity.
One embodiment of the method includes the steps of providing a second sealing member across the second opening of the fluid delivery conduit, providing an aperture in the second sealing member, passing the instrument through the aperture in the sealing member, and extending the instrument into the anatomical cavity.
One embodiment of the method includes the step of positioning the fluid delivery conduit such that the fluid delivery conduit extends through the aperture into the anatomical cavity.
One embodiment of the method includes the step of positioning the fluid delivery conduit such that the fluid delivery conduit does not extend through the aperture into the anatomical cavity.
One embodiment of the method includes the step of controlling the delivery of fluid from the fluid source based on a parameter indicative of a negative pressure within the anatomical cavity.
In one embodiment of the method, the parameter may comprise one of pressure within the anatomical cavity, pressure outside the anatomical cavity, flow rate of fluid being delivered into the anatomical cavity, oxygen content of fluid within the anatomical cavity, and oxygen content of fluid being removed from the anatomical cavity