Devices, systems, and methods for implanting and using a connector in a tissue wall

• US 10,518,012 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2015
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: APK Advanced Medical Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: APK Advanced Medical Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Jimenez, Jorge Hernan, West, Dustin Seth, Greene, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodjom, Katherine M
• Application Number:
  US14/854,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20160067395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0261 Means for anchoring port to the body, or ports having a special shape or being made of a specific material to allow easy implantation/integration in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/216 including a rotating member acting on the blood, e.g. impeller
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/861 Connections or anchorings for connecting or anchoring pumps or pumping devices to parts of the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/894 Passive valves, i.e. valves actuated by the blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/896 having flexible or resilient parts, e.g. flap valves

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide devices, systems, and methods for implanting and using a connector in a tissue wall to establish, maintain, control, and close a fluid communication between opposing surfaces of the tissue wall. The connector may include an anchoring device, a port, and a coupler device. The anchoring device may be configured for advancing at least partially through the tissue wall. The port may be positioned about a proximal end of the anchoring device, and the port may define an aperture therethrough. The coupler device may be positioned about a proximal end of the port, and the coupler device may be configured for coupling to a medical device.

Claims

1. A connector for implanting in a tissue wall, the connector comprising:

an anchoring device configured for advancing at least partially through the tissue wall, wherein the anchoring device comprises a sharpened tip configured for piercing the tissue wall;

a port attached to the anchoring device and positioned about a proximal end of the anchoring device, wherein the port defines an aperture therethrough;

a cannula configured for positioning at least partially through the aperture of the port and engaging the port, wherein the cannula defines an aperture therethrough;

a hemostasis valve positioned within the aperture of the cannula and configured for closing a fluid communication therethrough, wherein the hemostasis valve is positioned at least partially within the aperture of the port when the cannula and the port are engaged;

a coupler device positioned about the port, wherein the coupler device is configured for coupling to a medical device; and

wherein the coupler device comprises a deflection arm configured for deflecting inward into an aperture of the coupler device and retaining the medical device.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the anchoring device is a suture-less device configured for advancing at least partially through the tissue wall.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the anchoring device comprises a helical coil or spring.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the helical coil or spring comprises a radially-expanding helical coil or spring such that a helical diameter of the coil or spring increases from a proximal end of the anchoring device toward a distal end of the anchoring device.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the anchoring device is configured for compressing at least a portion of the tissue wall inward toward an axis of the anchoring device when advanced at least partially therethrough.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the port comprises a flange formed about a distal end of the port, and wherein the flange is configured for contacting the tissue wall upon advancing the anchoring device at least partially therethrough.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the coupler device is a suture-less device configured for coupling to the medical device.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the coupler device is configured for receiving and axially retaining the medical device.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the medical device is an inlet tube of a ventricular assist device, and wherein the coupler device is configured for receiving and axially retaining the inlet tube.

10. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a secondary sealing element configured for contacting and sealing against the tissue wall upon advancing the anchoring device at least partially therethrough.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the secondary sealing element is formed as a substantially ring-shaped member positioned about a distal end of the port.

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the hemostasis valve comprises a one-way valve.

13. The connector of claim 1, wherein the hemostasis valve comprises a one-way multi-leaflet valve.

14. The connector of claim 1, wherein the hemostasis valve is configured for allowing at least a portion of the medical device to pass therethrough.

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the hemostasis valve is configured for forming a fluid-tight seal about an outer surface of the medical device.

16. The connector of claim 1, wherein the cannula is configured for positioning at least partially through the tissue wall.

17. The connector of claim 1, wherein the cannula comprises threads configured for engaging mating threads of the port.

18. The connector of claim 1, wherein the anchoring device comprises a plurality of pins, prongs, barbs, or hooks.

19. The connector of claim 1, wherein the cannula comprises an opening, and wherein the deflection arm is configured for passing through the opening of the cannula and engaging the hemostasis valve for retaining the medical device.