VAD connector plug
First Claim
1. A plug to be positioned, during a surgical procedure, in place of a VAD within a VAD connector mounted to the heart and having at least one VAD-engaging feature and defining an opening, the plug comprising a body comprising metallic, ceramic or polymeric material, adapted to fill the opening of the VAD connector, engage the VAD connector and remain in place within the VAD connector following the surgical procedure.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plug which may be positioned in place of a Ventricular Assist Device (“VAD”) within a VAD connector mounted to the heart. The VAD connector may have at least one VAD-engaging feature and may define an opening. The plug may have a body adapted to fill the opening of the VAD connector and may engage the VAD connector. The plug may be installed in place of a VAD when the heart heals, and then removed and replaced by a VAD if the patient'"'"'s condition deteriorates.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A plug to be positioned, during a surgical procedure, in place of a VAD within a VAD connector mounted to the heart and having at least one VAD-engaging feature and defining an opening, the plug comprising a body comprising metallic, ceramic or polymeric material, adapted to fill the opening of the VAD connector, engage the VAD connector and remain in place within the VAD connector following the surgical procedure.
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8. An assembly including:
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a VAD connector mounted to the heart of a patient, the VAD connector having at least one VAD-engaging feature including a clamp having first and second elements disposed on opposite sides of the opening, the clamp having an open condition in which the first and second elements are further from one another and a closed condition in which the first and second elements are closer to one another and defining an opening for communication between the interior of the heart and a VAD; and a plug filling the opening of the VAD connector and engaged with the connector, wherein the plug has a body having a main portion and a neck with smaller diameter than the main portion, a distance between the elements of the clamp being less than the diameter of the main portion when the clamp is in the closed condition. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A kit for the surgical treatment of heart disease, comprising:
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a VAD connector adapted to be mounted to the heart of a patient, the VAD connector having at least one VAD-engaging feature adapted to engage a VAD, the VAD connector defining an opening; and a plug having a metallic, ceramic or polymeric body, adapted to fill the opening of the connector, engage the connector and remain in place within the connector following the surgical treatment. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of treating heart disease, comprising:
- removing a VAD from an opening of a VAD connector mounted on the heart; and
inserting a plug into the opening of the VAD connector so that the plug blocks the opening while the VAD connector remains mounted on the heart, and securing the plug to the VAD connector. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
- removing a VAD from an opening of a VAD connector mounted on the heart; and
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18. A method of performing a surgical procedure for pre-emptively treating heart disease of the type causing decreased blood pumping capacity, comprising:
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attaching a VAD connector to the outer surface of the heart, the VAD connector defining an opening communicating with the interior of a ventricle; and inserting a plug comprising a metallic, ceramic or polymeric body into the opening of the VAD connector so that the plug blocks the opening, wherein the plug is adapted to remain in place within the VAD connector following the surgical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification