Inflow conduit assembly for a ventricular assist device

• US 6,346,071 B1
• Filed: 07/16/1999
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: World Heart Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: World Heart Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mussivand, Tofy
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E
• Application Number:
  US09/354,801
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 600/16-17, 604/4, 128/899
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3659 Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• 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 60/857 Implantable blood tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/896 having flexible or resilient parts, e.g. flap valves

Abstract

An inflow conduit assembly for conducting blood from a ventricle to a Ventricular Assistance Device (VAD) is provided. The assembly includes a rigid tube including an angled heart engaging end for insertion into a ventricle. The angled heart engaging end defines a long side for placement adjacent a heart septum. The tube includes an orifice end for attachment to the VAD, and the inflow conduit assembly further includes a coupling for attaching the orifice end of the tube to the VAD. The coupling is movable between a rotatable position wherein the tube is rotatable relative to the VAD, and a locked position wherein the tube is immobile relative to the VAD.

Claims

1. An inflow conduit assembly for conducting blood from a ventricle to a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), the inflow conduit assembly comprising a rigid tube comprising an angled heart engaging end for insertion into a ventricle, the angled heart engaging end defining a long side for placement adjacent a heart septum, and the angled heart engaging end having an outer surface defining at least one hole for draining blood from the ventricle.

2. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube comprises an orifice end for attachment to the VAD, the inflow conduit assembly further comprising a coupling for attaching the orifice end of the tube to the VAD, the coupling being movable between a rotatable position wherein the tube is rotatable relative to the VAD, and a locked position wherein the tube is immobile relative to the VAD.

3. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein:

a. the tube comprises an outer surface comprising a thread adjacent the orifice end;

b. the coupling comprises a gland nut for engaging the thread and a corresponding thread on or attached to the MCD, the gland nut being movable between a rotatable position wherein the tube is rotatable relative to the MCD, and a locked position wherein the tube is immobile relative to the MCD.

4. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the tube is circular in cross-section.

5. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the angled heart engaging end defines a plurality of holes.

6. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the holes are arranged annularly around the heart engaging end.

7. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one hole has a diameter sufficiently large to avoid blood clotting.

8. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the diameter of the at least one hole is about 3 millimeters.

9. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube comprises an inner surface adapted to receive a valve assembly.

10. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a straight section comprising an inner surface adapted to receive a valve assembly.

11. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube comprises an outer surface, the conduit assembly further comprising a pliable annular skirt attached to the outer surface of the tube, the skirt being attachable by suturing to the outside of a heart.

12. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube is constructed of oxidized titanium.

13. An inflow conduit assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube is constructed of titanium.

14. An inflow conduit assembly for conducting blood from a ventricle to a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), the inflow conduit assembly comprising a rigid tube comprising an angled heart engaging end for insertion into a ventricle, the angled heart engaging end defining a long side for placement adjacent a heart septum, and the angled heart engaging end having an outer surface having means for draining blood from the ventricle.

15. A method for implanting a circulatory apparatus in a patient, the apparatus comprising a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) having an orifice, and an inflow conduit assembly for attachment to the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), the inflow conduit assembly comprising:

a rigid tube comprising an angled heart engaging end for insertion into a ventricle, the angled heart engaging end defining a long side for placement adjacent a heart septum and the angled heart engaging end having a outer wall defining at least a hole; and

a coupling for attaching the orifice end of the tube to the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), the coupling being movable between a rotatable position wherein the tube is rotatable relative to the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), and a locked position wherein the tube is immobile relative to the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), the method comprising the steps of;

a. moving the coupling to the rotatable position;

b. positioning the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) relative to the patient;

c. rotating the tube until the desired position of the long side of the angled heart engaging end is achieved;

d. moving the coupling to the locked position;

e. inserting the heart engaging end into a ventricle such that the long side is adjacent a heart septum; and

f. locating the at least hole within the ventricle for draining blood from the ventricle.