An attachment device has a sewing ring frame and a locking mechanism movably mounted on the sewing ring frame. The locking mechanism includes a biasing element projecting from the outer surface of the sewing ring frame and a slide substantially co-planar to the sewing ring frame. The slide further includes a first mating member. Additionally, the locking mechanism includes at least one guide member overlapping the slide and a locking pin disposed between the slide and the sewing ring frame. The biasing element is movably coupled to the locking pin and the slide and is transitionable between a first configuration in which the first mating member is in a disengaged position to a second configuration in which the first mating member is in an engaged position.

An attachment device has a sewing ring frame and a locking mechanism movably mounted on the sewing ring frame. The locking mechanism includes a biasing element projecting from the outer surface of the sewing ring frame and a slide substantially co-planar to the sewing ring frame. The slide further includes a first mating member. Additionally, the locking mechanism includes at least one guide member overlapping the slide and a locking pin disposed between the slide and the sewing ring frame. The biasing element is movably coupled to the locking pin and the slide and is transitionable between a first configuration in which the first mating member is in a disengaged position to a second configuration in which the first mating member is in an engaged position.

A blood pump for supporting a patient's heart includes a flow cannula having a distal portion including a distal end and a proximal portion including a proximal end opposite the distal end, the distal end of the flow cannula configured to be connected to the patient's heart or a blood vessel to establish fluid communication between the blood pump and the patient's heart and blood vessel, respectively. The flow cannula further includes an intermediate portion attached to the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein the intermediate portion allows twisting thereof with a lower force than the distal portion and the proximal portion. The intermediate portion can be fully occluded by twisting it. At least a portion of the intermediate portion either alone or in combination with the distal portion is adapted to be permanently attached to the patient's heart or a blood vessel.

A blood pump for supporting a patient's heart includes a flow cannula having a distal portion including a distal end and a proximal portion including a proximal end opposite the distal end, the distal end of the flow cannula configured to be connected to the patient's heart or a blood vessel to establish fluid communication between the blood pump and the patient's heart and blood vessel, respectively. The flow cannula further includes an intermediate portion attached to the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein the intermediate portion allows twisting thereof with a lower force than the distal portion and the proximal portion. The intermediate portion can be fully occluded by twisting it. At least a portion of the intermediate portion either alone or in combination with the distal portion is adapted to be permanently attached to the patient's heart or a blood vessel.

Embodiments include Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) with clips that help hold a cannula to the VAD. In some embodiments the clip embraces a cannula that has been placed around a cannula connector. In further embodiments an additional clip connects the first clip to the VAD housing preventing the first clip from slipping. The clip and additional clip may form a single piece. Further embodiments include a blood pumping sac located inside a cavity in the VAD forming one or more air chambers between the sac and the cavity walls, and an airflow channel leading from the air chambers to an airflow port allowing the sac to be evenly pressurized and depressurized. Still further embodiments include one or more purge devices that assist in removing bubbles from the VAD and helping connect cannulas to the VAD. Additional embodiments include a torqueable wrench to facilitate use and proper sealing of the device.

A catheter pump is provided that includes a rotatable impeller and an elongate cannula. The elongate cannula has a mesh that has a plurality of circumferential members disposed about the impeller. The elongate cannula has a plurality of axial connector extending between a proximal side of a distal circumferential member and a distal side of a proximal circumferential member. The circumferential members are radially self-expandable. The cannula is configured to minimize fracture within at least in the distal zone of the mesh as the elongated cannula moves into a sheathing device.

Disclosed herein is an implantable blood pump assembly that includes a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, a rotor positioned within the flow path, a stator positioned within the housing and operable to drive the rotor, and an outflow cannula. The outflow cannula includes a coupler assembly configured for removable mechanical connection to the outlet coupler, and includes a first component of an anti-rotation mechanism and a first component of an axial lock. The housing includes an outlet coupler that includes a second component of the anti-rotation mechanism and a second component of the axial lock. The first and second components of the anti-rotation mechanism are positioned to engage one another prior to the first and second components of the axial lock during insertion of the outflow cannula into the housing outlet.

Disclosed herein is an implantable blood pump assembly that includes a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, a rotor positioned within the flow path, a stator positioned within the housing and operable to drive the rotor, and an outflow cannula. The outflow cannula includes a coupler assembly configured for removable mechanical connection to the outlet coupler, and includes a first component of an anti-rotation mechanism and a first component of an axial lock. The housing includes an outlet coupler that includes a second component of the anti-rotation mechanism and a second component of the axial lock. The first and second components of the anti-rotation mechanism are positioned to engage one another prior to the first and second components of the axial lock during insertion of the outflow cannula into the housing outlet.

Connectors and related methods for fluidly coupling a blood pump with an aorta facilitate implantation of the blood pump. A method of fluidly coupling a blood pump with an aorta includes positioning a connector device defining a passageway extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening. The connector device includes a support member surrounding the distal opening. The support member is interfaced with a wall of the aorta so that the distal opening is at a desired location of an inlet opening in the aorta. The support member is attached to the aorta around the distal opening so as to form a fluid seal and stabilize the connector device. A slit is incised in the wall of the aorta to form the inlet opening in the aorta. A proximal opening of the tubular connector is fluidly coupled with an outflow graft tube of the blood pump.

Connectors and related methods for fluidly coupling a blood pump with an aorta facilitate implantation of the blood pump. A method of fluidly coupling a blood pump with an aorta includes positioning a connector device defining a passageway extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening. The connector device includes a support member surrounding the distal opening. The support member is interfaced with a wall of the aorta so that the distal opening is at a desired location of an inlet opening in the aorta. The support member is attached to the aorta around the distal opening so as to form a fluid seal and stabilize the connector device. A slit is incised in the wall of the aorta to form the inlet opening in the aorta. A proximal opening of the tubular connector is fluidly coupled with an outflow graft tube of the blood pump.