Heart pump connector

• US 20060074271A1
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Inventors: Cotter, Christopher J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,824,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/064 with special features to facilitate anastomotic coupling anastomosis of natural blood vessels A61B17/11
• 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 60/237 the blood flow through the rotating member having mainly axial components, e.g. axial flow pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/279 Peristaltic pumps, e.g. roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/859 Connections therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/896 having flexible or resilient parts, e.g. flap valves

Abstract

A heart assist device connection system comprises an inflow connector in fluid-tight communication with an inflow section of a heart assist device. The connector is configured to be releasably connected to an inlet extension inserted into a patient'"'"'s ventricle. The connector has one or more recesses configured to match a protrusion on the inlet extension. The system also comprises an outflow connector in fluid communication with an outflow section of the heart assist device. The outflow connector is configured to be releasably connected to a conduit attached-to the patient'"'"'s vasculature.

Claims

1. A heart assist device connection system, comprising:

an inflow connector in fluid-tight communication with an inflow section of a heart assist device and configured to be releasably connected to an inlet extension inserted into a patient'"'"'s ventricle, the inflow connector having one or more recesses configured to match a protrusion on the inlet extension.

an outflow connector in fluid-tight communication with an outflow section of the heart assist device and configured to be releasably connected to a conduit attached to the patient'"'"'s vasculature.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of recesses on the outflow connector to match a protrusion on an outflow graft.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inflow or outflow connector includes a cylindrical backflow preventing valve mounted inside a reinforcing sleeve.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses includes a plurality of internal peripheral scallops.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the inflow connector defines a first diameter, and the outflow connector defines a second diameter substantially different than the first diameter so as to prevent reversed connection of the system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the inflow or outflow connector has external peripheral threads to receive a screw ring so as to hold the inlet extension in fluid-tight connection.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the external peripheral threads have a major diameter of about 1.245 inches and about 32 threads per inch.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing sleeve held between the inflow connector and the inflow section of the heart assist device.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a valve mounted inside the reinforcing sleeve to prevent substantial fluid flow through the system in one direction.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reducing fitting between the inlet extension and the inflow section of the heart assist device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the reducing fitting decreases in cross section from the inflow connector to the cannula.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the inflow connector defines an inner diameter in proximity to the inlet connections that is substantially the same as an inner diameter defined by the inlet extension.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the inflow connector inner diameter is about about 0.750 inches.

14. A heart assist device connector, comprising:

an inlet conduit that is in fluid communication with a heart assist device;

an attachment ring having a ring surface configured to be attached to a corresponding surface on the inlet conduit;

a connector element having a first end and a second end, configured to be received at the first end between the ring surface and the conduit surface, and further configured to be received at the second end by a connection fitting, and;

a reinforcing sleeve surrounding the connector element between the screw ring and the connection fitting.

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the connector element comprises a valve.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the valve is comprised of xenographic tissue.

17. The connector of claim 15, wherein the valve is a back-flow preventing valve.

18. The connector of claim 14, wherein the connector element comprises a generally cylindrical graft.

19. The connector of claim 14, wherein the ring surface comprises a threaded portion.

20. The connector of claim 14, wherein the ring surface comprises female threads that mate with male threads on the conduit surface.

21. The connector of claim 14, further comprising a threaded plug configured to be received inside the connection fitting, wherein the end of the connector element is secured between a threaded surface of the connection fitting and the threaded plug.

22. The connector of claim 21, further comprising a ring having female threads engaged with male threads on the threaded fitting, and having a lip configured to hold the connector tightly to a cannula.

25. A method of replacing a first heart assist device with a second heart assist device, the first heart assist device having a pump body, an inflow section configured to attach to an apical conduit with a first threaded connector, and an outflow section configured to be attached to a conduit attached to a patient'"'"'s aorta with a second threaded connector, and the second heart assist device having an inflow section configured to attach to the apical conduit, and an outflow section configured to attach to the conduit, the method comprising:

disengaging the first threaded connector and the second threaded connector;

removing the first heart assist device from the patient;

positioning the second heart assist device in the patient to be connected to the apical connector and the conduit attached to the patient'"'"'s aorta; and

engaging the first threaded connector and the second threaded connector.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing a reducing conduit between the inflow section of the second heart assist device and the apical conduit.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing a reducing conduit between the outflow section of the second heart assist device and the conduit attached to the patient'"'"'s aorta.

28. A pair of universal connectors for connecting an inflow cannula to a heart assist device and for connecting the heart assist device to an outflow graft, comprising:

a first connector having a first end with a threaded outer surface, a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, a second end having a threaded surface, a second outer diameter and a second inner diameter, and a passage between the first end and the second end, the first connector being configured to mate with a tube at the first end and the heart assist device at the second end; and

a second connector comprising a first end having a threaded outer surface, a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, a second end having a second outer diameter and a second inner diameter, and a channel passing between the first end and the second end, the first connector being configured to mate with a graft at the first end and the heart assist device at the second end.

29. The universal connectors of claim 28, wherein the tube comprises a screw ring surrounding at least a part of the tube, the screw ring having an inner threaded surface and being configured to mate with the threaded outer surface of the first end of the first connector.

30. A method of replacing a first heart assist device with a second heart assist device, comprising:

disconnecting an inlet conduit from the first device by rotating an inlet conduit screw ring;

disconnecting an outlet conduit from the first device by rotating an outlet conduit screw ring;

connecting the second device to the outlet conduit;

aligning peripheral protrusion on the inlet conduit with scallops on the inlet insert and connecting the second device to the inlet conduit.