CONFORMAL CANNULA DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20120143141A1
• Filed: 08/03/2011
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University, World Heart Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: World Heart Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Verkaik, Josiah E., Antaki, James F., Martin, John Alexander
• Application Number:
  US13/197,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20120143141A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/175
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3425 for internal organs, e.g. heart ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/06 Blood vessels
• 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 60/859 Connections therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/863 Apex rings

Abstract

Cannula assemblies and related methods are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a cannula assembly includes a tubular structure coupled with a flange assembly. The flange assembly includes a plurality of wireform loops disposed in a circumferential, woven pattern about an end of the tubular structure. The flange assembly is configured to exhibit a first, collapsed state wherein the plurality of wireform loops extend substantially axially from the tubular structure, and a second, expanded state wherein the plurality of wireform loops extend in a direction having a substantial radial component relative to the tubular structure. In another embodiment, a cannula assembly includes a conformal flange coupled with a tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure extends both distally and proximally of the flange.

Claims

1. A cannula assembly comprising:

a tubular structure coupled with a flange assembly, wherein the flange assembly includes a plurality of wireform loops disposed in a circumferential, woven pattern about an end of the tubular structure, the flange assembly being configured to exhibit a first, collapsed state wherein the plurality of wireform loops extend substantially axially from the tubular structure, and a second, expanded state wherein the plurality of wireform loops extend in a direction having a substantial radial component relative to the tubular structure.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireform loops are mechanically coupled to the tubular structure.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circumferential, woven pattern of the plurality of wireform loops defines a plurality of wire crossings and a plurality of internal openings.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the flange assembly further includes an enclosure material for covering the plurality of internal openings defined by the plurality of wireforms.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the enclosure material seamlessly extends continuously through an interior of the tubular structure.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the enclosure material is bonded to the wireform loops and provides a webbing within the plurality of openings defined by the plurality of wireform loops.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the enclosure material includes a segmented polyurethane.

8. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the enclosure material includes silicone.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange assembly is of sufficient flexibility to conform to a varied anatomical geometry.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector is sized and configured to fluidly connect with a chamber of the human heart.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange assembly includes an odd number of wireforms.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the number of wireform loops is within an inclusive range of 5 to 11.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the wireform loops includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end, the first and second terminal ends being positioned approximately 180°

apart from each other on a circumferential periphery of the tubular structure.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an axial thickness of a radial flange portion of the flange assembly is approximately twice a cross-sectional thickness of a wireform loop of the plurality of wireform loops.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the flange assembly is more than approximately twice a diameter of the tubular portion when the flange assembly is in the expanded state.

16. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve at least partially disposed within the tubular structure.

17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure is substantially impermeable to air.

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure includes an exterior surface formed of material that promotes tissue in-growth.

19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a proximal surface of the flange assembly includes an exterior surface formed of material that promotes tissue in-growth.

20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a sewing ring positioned about the tubular structure at a position proximal to the flange assembly.

21. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable flange member associated with the tubular structure proximal of the flange assembly.

22. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least some of the plurality of wireforms extend from the flange assembly and define, at least in part, the tubular structure.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the wireforms that define the tubular structure are woven along at least a portion of the length of the tubular structure.

24. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the wireforms that define the tubular structure transition between a woven configuration and a helical configuration.

25. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the wireforms that define the tubular structure transition from a first woven section to a helical coil and from the helical coil to a second woven section.

26. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular portion is flexible and can bent at an angle without kinking

27. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular portion is configured to exhibit a bend at an acute angle without any substantial stress.

28. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure extends distally beyond the flange assembly when the flange assembly is in the expanded state.

29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein a distance between a distal end of the tubular structure and a location wherein the flange assembly is coupled with the tubular structure is fixed.

30. A cannula assembly comprising:

a tubular structure coupled with a conformal flange, wherein the conformal flange assembly is configured to exhibit a first, collapsed state and a second, expanded state wherein the conformal flange extends substantially radially outward relative to the tubular structure, wherein a proximal surface of the conformal flange is formed of a material that promotes tissue in-growth.

31. A method of coupling a cannula to a tissue structure, the method comprising:

collapsing a flange assembly within a delivery member;

passing the delivery member through an opening in the tissue structure;

expanding the flange assembly to exhibit a size greater than the opening in the tissue structure;

conforming the flange assembly to the anatomy of the tissue structure;

promoting tissue in-growth between the tissue structure and the flange assembly.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising forming the flange assembly of a plurality of woven wireform loops.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising providing a tubular structure associated with the flange assembly, and extending a free end of the tubular structure distally beyond the flange assembly a defined distance, and extending the tubular structure proximally of the flange assembly for connection with another structure.

34. A cannula assembly comprising:

a tubular structure coupled with a flexible, conformal flange, wherein the conformal flange assembly is configured to exhibit a first, collapsed state and a second, expanded state wherein the conformal flange extends substantially radially outward relative to the tubular structure, and wherein the tubular structure extends both distally and proximally of the conformal flange.

35. The assembly of claim 34, further comprising a connection structure adjustably positioned about the tubular structure proximal of the conformal flange.

36. The assembly of claim 35, further comprising an inlet in the tubular structure distal of the flange, wherein the flange is fixed relative to its distance along the tubular structure to the inlet.