Dual Lumen Catheter Advances Extracorporeal Oxygenation

An innovative single use dual lumen catheter provides both venous drainage and reinfusion of blood via the jugular vein.

The MC3 Cardiopulmonary (Dexter, MI, USA) Crescent Jugular dual lumen catheter is indicated for use in patients suffering from acute respiratory failure and who require veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) where other available treatment options have failed, and the patients continued clinical deterioration is expected, or when the risk of death is imminent. The Crescent Jugular catheter is threaded through the jugular vein and into the inferior vena cava (IVC); once connected to an ECMO system, it is used to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) and reinfuse oxygenated blood.


Catheter features include a unique crescent-shaped dual lumen design that optimizes pressure flow performance and minimizes recirculation; a tapered and extended tip that enables smooth insertion and ensures the catheter remains within the inferior vena cava; graduated radiopaque markers that aid in precise positioning and tip orientation during placement; and an integrated gold suture collar that secures the highly durable placement procedure and reduces the risk of inadvertent cutting through of the catheter.

“Until recently, mechanical ventilation with intubation was the last line of defense for millions of patients around the world each year. The introduction of our Crescent catheter means new options for surgeons and their patients,” said Scott Merz, CEO of MC3 Cardiopulmonary. “Due to the advancements in technology available in Crescent, we can now consider cannulating the sickest of these patients instead of intubating them. Our shared vision with the clinical community is to take standardized ECMO care from possibility to reality.”

ECMO is a form of veno-venous extracorporeal life support (VV ECLS), an emerging therapy designed to provide a higher level of care by infusing oxygen directly into the blood using an oxygenator, which acts as an artificial external lung. A tapered cannula provides omni-directional flow, optimizing gas exchange and reducing stress on the right side of the heart.

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