Smooth ventricular assist device conduit
First Claim
1. An inflow conduit for an implantable ventricular assist device, comprising:
- a flexible tubular graft body having an upstream end and a downstream end, the body having a substantially smooth inner surface for enhanced flow-through of blood with a minimum of surface-induced turbulence;
a ventricular attachment structure to which the upstream end of the body connects; and
a coupling fitting on the downstream end of the body.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A smooth-walled non-crimped inflow conduit for an implantable ventricular assist system. The conduit has an internally smooth lumen surface for enhanced washing of the conduit under irregular blood flow conditions. The conduit includes a tubular graft body that may be formed of a knitted fabric sealed with bovine collagen or gelatin, or formed of closed structured PTFE. The conduit may include external ribbing or support to prevent inward collapse under negative pressure conditions and also protect against damage from inadvertent physical contact in the operating room. The external support may be bonded to the exterior or formed integrally with the tubular graft body. An outer reinforcement cage may be provided to help prevent gross distortion or damage to the tubular graft body. The ends of the tubular graft body are left unsupported and wrapped around opposed lips of conduit coupling structure to minimize blood contacting surfaces at junctions with other conduits or with the heart. The conduit may be provided in an implantable left ventricular assist system also including a pumping device, valved conduits, and a power supply.
-
Citations
37 Claims
-
1. An inflow conduit for an implantable ventricular assist device, comprising:
-
a flexible tubular graft body having an upstream end and a downstream end, the body having a substantially smooth inner surface for enhanced flow-through of blood with a minimum of surface-induced turbulence; a ventricular attachment structure to which the upstream end of the body connects; and a coupling fitting on the downstream end of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
11. The inflow conduit of claim 11, wherein the PTFE is closed structured to resist tissue ingrowth from the exterior of the tubular graft body.
-
16. An inflow conduit for an implantable ventricular assist device, comprising:
-
a flexible tubular graft body having a smooth inner surface and an external kink-resistive supporting structure, the graft having opposed ends; a ventricular attachment structure on one end of the tubular graft body; and a coupling fitting on the other end of the tubular graft body. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. An inflow conduit for an implantable ventricular assist device, comprising:
-
a flexible tubular graft body having an upstream end and a downstream and a smooth, non-convoluted interior lumen; and a ventricular attachment structure on the upstream end of the graft including a tubular cannula portion having a distal rim for extending into the ventricle, and an external apical ring spaced from the distal rim for sewing to the external ventricle wall, the upstream end of the graft extending through the cannula portion and being wrapped around the distal rim to lie against the exterior of the cannula portion and attach to the apical ring. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. An implantable ventricular assist device, comprising:
-
an inflow conduit including; a flexible tubular graft body having an upstream end and a downstream end, the body having a substantially smooth inner surface for enhanced flow-through of blood with a minimum of surface-induced turbulence; a ventricular attachment structure to which the upstream end of the body connects; and a coupling fitting on the downstream end of the body; an implantable pumping portion in flow communication with the inflow conduit; and an outflow conduit in flow communication with the pumping portion. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
-
Specification