CONTAINER FOR A HEART PUMP DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEART PUMP DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1, 1′, 1″) for a heart pump device (4, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26) with a first receiving space (3) for a compressible and expandable heart pump (4), wherein the first receiving space is delimited on several sides, in particular on all sides, by one or more closure elements (5, 5′, 6, 6′ 6″) and is closed off to the outside for preventing a contacting of the heart pump, wherein the closure elements (5, 5′, 6, 6′ 6″) leave free an opening (7) for the passage of a catheter (8) from the outside into the first receiving space (3), wherein the diameter of the opening (7) is dimensioned such that the heart pump can pass this exclusively in a condition which is at least partly compressed compared to the expanded condition. For implantation, the heart pump in the container (1, 1′, 1″) can firstly be operated by trial in the container (1, 1′, 1″) whilst feeding a rinsing fluid and can then be pulled through the opening (7) amid simultaneous compression, into a sheath element (11).

Claims

1. A container for a heart pump device comprising a first receiving space for a compressible and expandable heart pump, wherein the first receiving space is delimited on all sides by one or more closure elements and the first receiving space is closed off to an outside and configured to prevent contacting the heart pump, wherein the closure elements leave free an opening for the passage of a catheter from the outside into the first receiving space, wherein the diameter of the opening is sized such that the heart pump is compressed during extraction of the heart pump through the opening.

2. (canceled)

3. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that at least the closure elements consist essentially of a plastic flat material.

4. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the closure elements are configured as two half-shell- shaped closure elements joined together to form the first receiving space.

5. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the closure elements are undetachably connected to one another.

6. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the opening is formed for the extraction of the catheter between two closure elements.

7. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that a first closure element is configured as part of a blister package which receives at least the catheter.

8. A container according to claim 7, characterised in that the first closure element in a region of the first receiving space forms a capture shell configured to retain a fluid.

9. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the opening at least partly consists of a cylinder-symmetrical channel.

10. A container according to claim 9, characterised in that the cylinder-symmetrical channel narrows outwardly from an inside of the first receiving space.

11. A container according to claim 10, characterised in that a run-out of the opening to an outer side of the closure elements comprises an edge, on which a hollow-cylindrical sheath element can be supported in the axial direction of the channel, wherein the hollow-cylindrical sheath element is displaceable along the catheter.

12. A container according to claim 1, wherein a compressible and expandable heart pump is located in the first receiving space and wherein the catheter which is connected to the heart pump projects through the opening out of the first receiving space, wherein a sheath element through which the catheter passes is provided on the catheter in a freely displaceable manner.

13. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the first receiving space is delimited by at least two closure elements which are joined along a joining line, wherein the joining line runs essentially perpendicularly to a passing direction of the heart pump device.

14. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the first receiving space is delimited by at least two closure elements which are joined along a joining line, wherein the joining line runs in a cross section of the receiving space which is larger than the cross section of the opening for the passage of a catheter on removal of the heart pump.

15. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the receiving space comprises more than one opening.

16. A container according to claim 15, characterised in that at least one of the openings is closed by a cover which is joined in a manner in which it is removable with or without destruction.

17. A container according to claim 1, characterised in that the receiving space is arranged such that the heart pump device can be introduced into the receiving space without compression.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. A method for removing a heart pump device from a container, the method comprising: grasping a catheter coupled to a compressible and expandable heart pump of the heart pump device, the heart pump arranged in a first receiving space of a container, the first receiving space delimited on all sides by one or more closure elements, wherein the catheter projects through an opening of the container out of the first receiving space; and pulling the heart pump by the catheter through the opening out of the first receiving space into a sheath element, wherein the heart pump is radially compressed in the opening and in the sheath element, and wherein the sheath element is freely displaceable on the catheter in the axial direction.

21. A container according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a diameter of less than 4 mm.

22. The container according to claim 1, wherein the closure elements consist of a plastic foil.

Description

[0033] The invention is hereinafter represented by way of an embodiment example in the figures of a drawing and described hereinafter. Thereby are shown in:

[0034] FIG. 1 in a cross section, a container according to the invention, in a schematic manner,

[0035] FIG. 2 a cross section of the container according to the invention, with a heart pump,

[0036] FIG. 3 a container in a further cross section,

[0037] FIG. 4 a heart pump with a catheter,

[0038] FIG. 5 a plan view onto a container with a heart pump,

[0039] FIG. 6 a cross section through a container with a heart pump and with a sheath element,

[0040] FIG. 7 a different cross section through a container as well as a sheath element,

[0041] FIG. 8 a three-dimensional view of a container in the embodiment as a blister,

[0042] FIG. 9 a cross section through a container which is designed as a blister

[0043] FIG. 10 a detail of a container which is designed as a blister, in a three-dimensional view as well as

[0044] FIGS. 11a and 11b cross sections or part cross sections of further embodiments of container according to the invention.

[0045] FIG. 1 in a cross section shows a container 1 with two closure elements 5, 6, wherein the first closure element 5 is designed as a solid body, wherein the second closure element 6 as a thin-walled half-shell in the form of cover closes the first receiving space 3. An opening 7 is provided in the region of the closure elements 5, 6, and specifically specially as a recess in the first closure element 5, through which recess a catheter can exit from the first receiving space 3 into the outer space. A groove 13 which can run annularly in the further course of the container 1 can be provided for receiving the catheter, in order to permit the depositing of one or more loops of a catheter. This solid representation of the first closure element 5 is only given by way of example, in order to explain the basic function.

[0046] The first closure element 5 should form a fluid-tight capture basin 14, into which a heart pump can be inserted and which can capture fluid for a test operation.

[0047] The second closure element 6 is preferably non-releasably connected and sealingly connected to the first closure element 5 in the region of the joining location 9, wherein the connection can advantageously be designed also in a fluid tight manner with the exception of the opening 7, but not in an airtight manner (since the air here should escape from the catheter). The joining location 9 with this example forms a joining line or an annular joining surface which as a whole lies in a plane here.

[0048] The second closure element 6 can be designed in a fluid-tight manner as a bent, flat plastic part, preferably as a stiff foil, but it can also comprise openings and/or one or more optical windows, in order to permit the viewing into the first receiving space 3. What is decisive for the second closure element 6 is that it protects the heart pump which is to be kept in the first receiving space 3, from contact.

[0049] A container 1′ with which the first closure element 5′ just as the second closure element 6′ is designed as a stiff foil in the form of a blister is shown in FIG. 2. The first receiving space 3 is formed just as with the embodiment example in FIG. 1, and a heart pump 4 which is arranged in the first receiving space 3 is represented schematically in FIG. 2. The heart pump 4 comprises a rotor 4a with a spiral-shaped delivery element 4b and a hub 4c, wherein the hub 4c is connected to a drivable flexible drive shaft 12. The drive shaft 12 runs out of the heart pump 4 through a catheter 8 which passes the opening 7.

[0050] The heart pump 4 is represented in the non-compressed condition, in which its radial extension perpendicular to the axial direction indicated by the hub 4c is larger than the extension of the opening 7.

[0051] A section which is already indicated and represented at III in FIG. 2 is represented in FIG. 3, with a view onto the first closure element 5′ and the second closure element 6′ as well as the opening 7, wherein the catheter 8 with the drive shaft 12 is drawn in, and wherein the outline of the heart pump 4 is drawn in a dashed manner. It is evident from FIG. 3 that the diameter of the heart pump 4 is larger than the clear width of the opening 7, so that the heart pump 8 on the catheter 8 can only be pulled through the opening 7 out of the first receiving space 3 amid simultaneous radial compression.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a heart pump device with a heart pump 4 which has already been described by way of FIG. 2, as well as with a catheter 8 and with a drive shaft 12, wherein moreover the drive-side end of the drive shaft 12 with a magnet coupling 15 is also shown, said coupling permitting the transmission of a drive movement from a motor 16 to the inside of a container 17, in which the drive shaft 12 is coupled to the magnet coupling.

[0053] The container 17 moreover serves as a rinsing device with several rinsing openings 18, 19, wherein a rinsing fluid, for example saline solution, is introduced through the opening 18 into the container 17 and excess rising fluid is removed through the second rinsing opening 19. The rinsing fluid moreover moves along the catheter 8 in the direction of the pump 4 and in particular on operation of the rotor, i.e. with a rotation of the drive shaft 12, is delivered by way of the spiral-like outer contour of the drive shaft 12, in the direction of the pump 4. Thus for trial operation, rinsing fluid can be fed through the first rinsing opening 18 and be moved through the catheter 8 to the pump 4, whilst this is located in the first receiving space 3, and the pump can then be operated for testing at least with a reduced speed whilst being wetted by the rinsing fluid.

[0054] FIG. 5 in a plan view from the top shows a first closure element 5′ as well as the inside of the first receiving space 3, in which a heart pump 4 is arranged. The catheter 8 which is connected to the heart pump 4 projects through the opening 7 and outside the receiving space 3 in front of the opening 7 is surrounded by a sheath element 11. The sheath element 11 is designed for example of a flexible plastic torus in the form of a hose section which can have a predetermined breakage location, so that as a peel-away sheath, it can be radially pulled away at a later stage after bringing the pump 4 into an introduction sheath on the patient body.

[0055] The sheath elements 11 can be applied from the outside onto the edge of the opening 7 on the closure elements 5′, 6′ of the first receiving space 3, and on this, the pump 4 can be pulled out of the receiving space 3 in the direction of the arrow 20 by way of the catheter. The pump 4 is radially compressed on pulling into the opening 7 in the direction of the arrows 21, 22 due to the given diameter of the opening 7 which is smaller than the pump diameter in the expanded condition and in the compressed or at least partly compressed condition is pulled into the sheath element 11. There, it is again protected from contact and contamination and can be removed from the container 1′ and be moved to an introduction sheath on the body of a patient.

[0056] FIG. 6 once again in a lateral view schematically shows a container 1′ with a first receiving space 3, in which a pump 4 is arranged, as well as a sheath element 11 which is arranged in a groove 13 of the container 1′ and which surrounds the catheter 8.

[0057] FIG. 7 in a further view seen in the direction of arrow 23 in FIG. 6 shows an outer view of the closure elements 5′ 6′ with the opening 7 and a plan view upon the sheath element 11 in the axial direction, as well as in a dashed representation the heart pump 4 lying in the first receiving space 3.

[0058] FIG. 8 in a perspective view shows a first closure element 5′ which is designed as part of a blister, with two troughs, of which a first trough 24 is delimited by the first closure element 5′ and forms the lower part of the first receiving space for a heart pump, whereas the second trough 25 delimits a third receiving space for a grip on the catheter 8. A groove 13 can moreover be recognised, and this leads from the first trough 24 to the second trough 25, forms a second receiving space and permits the deposition of a catheter, wherein an arched additional groove 13a is also formed and this permits the deposition of loops of the catheter. Grip recesses 27, 28 are moreover provided in the region of the groove 13 which on the one hand serve for the stabilisation of the blister and on the other hand serve for the improved gripping of a catheter located in the groove 13, on removal, as well as for forming protrusions of the blister which can serve as support elements on placing onto a level surface next to the troughs 24, 25.

[0059] A heart pump 4 as well as the grip part 26 is represented within the container 1″ or the closure element 5′. Usually however, a closure element is provided on the first trough 24 as well as on the second trough 25, in order to cover the respective troughs and the components which are located therein, and to protect these from contact as well as to fix the components in a vibration-secure manner and this completes the container 1″. For this reason, the atraumatic tip of the catheter (co-called pigtail tip) is also fixed, such that it does not permit excessive movements of the pump head, but on the other hand a withdrawal in the direction of the sheath element 11 is not inhibited.

[0060] A cross section through the trough 24 is represented by way of example in FIG. 9 and this is formed in the first closure element 5′ which is formed as part of a blister. A prominence 29 is formed by a suitable prominent arching of the closure element 5′, within the trough and within the first receiving space 3, wherein the prominence 29 comprises a recess 30 per se which within the first receiving space 3 receives the heart pump 4. An accurate, tight and forced positioning of the heart pump 4 in the first receiving space 3 is given by this. The first receiving space 3 is moreover completely covered by a second closure element 6″ in the form of a stiff plastic foil, wherein the second closure element 6″ in the region of the contact surface to the first closure element 5′ can be bonded, welded or pressed to this (for example also by way of connection similar to a push button), so that a detachment of the second closure element 6″ is not possible or only very difficultly possible, without a destruction of the container 1″. The open sides of the first and the second closure element 5′, 6″ in this example are directed in the same directions and do not face one another as would basically also be possible.

[0061] The cover shape of the closure element covering the second trough 25 can be designed similarly to the shape of the second closure element 6″.

[0062] On preparing an implantation of a heart pump, as is represented in FIG. 8, firstly one bleeds and wets this and then the heart pump 4, on the catheter or on the grip 26 is pulled through the opening 7 out of the closed first receiving space 3 and pulled into a sheath element which is located outside the first receiving space. Thereby, the pump 4 is radially compressed. Thereafter it is reliably held in the sheath element 11 and is held in a manner protected from contact by the user.

[0063] The pump 4 can be operated on a trial basis before withdrawing out of the first receiving space, by way of a rinsing fluid being moved from a rinsing system located in the grip region, through rinsing openings, via the catheter 8 to the pump and this pump thereafter being driven by way of the flexible drive shaft, at a speed which is significantly reduced compared to operational speeds.

[0064] An arrangement as is represented in FIG. 9 as a cross-sectional representation is once again represented in a similar form in a three-dimensional representation in FIG. 10.

[0065] The container 1, 1′, 1″ (or 11″′, see FIG. 11b) with the help of the invention and in the described manner can ensure a high degree of availability and operational reliability as well as sterility of the heart pump on implantation.

[0066] FIGS. 11a and 11b show further embodiments of receiving spaces. A receiving space is firstly shown therein in FIG. 11a, with which a joining location 9 is arranged in the horizontal direction (in the direction of a groove 13 or of a corresponding catheter). A joining location 9″ is additionally provided perpendicularly to this. These joining locations 9 and 9″ can be provided per se or also in a cumulative manner. Closure elements 5″ as well as 6″ are accordingly provided. A further opening 7a″′ whose diameter is significantly greater than the diameter of the opening 7 is provided on the right side (opposite the opening 7). The size is dimensioned such that a heart pump can be pulled in, in the expanded or also in a slightly compressed condition 7a″. However, the heart pump after a closure of the opening 7a″ can then only be pulled out through the opening 7 amid compression. For this case, it is possible to provide a cover on the opening 7a″, which cannot be released in a destruction-free manner. Alternatively, one can also envisage a destruction-free decoupling of the cover (for example for overhaul by the manufacturer). The receiving space 3″ or the capture basin 14″ is to be designed according to the embodiments described above. The same applies to the remaining elements, which have already been dealt with above (for example the groove 13, a catheter 8, a heart pump 4, etc.).

[0067] FIG. 11b shows a further embodiment which differs from that in FIG. 11a in that here only one joining location 9″ is provided. Moreover, the lower closure element (indicated here at 5″) is designed in a less solid manner The capture basin 14″′ or the receiving space 3″′ are basically as described above, and the same applies to the opening 7, the groove 13 as well as the catheters or heart pumps which are to be brought into the receiving space. A cover is shown in FIG. 11b (hatched) and this cover cannot be released from the closure elements 5″′, 6″′ in a destruction-free manner. The heart pump 4 which is accommodated in the receiving space 3″′ is represented by way of example in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11b. From this, it is clear that the heart pump can be brought through the opening 7a″′ into the receiving space, but can only be removed through the opening 7 amid compression. The embodiments which are shown in the FIGS. 11a and 11b can of course also be provided without a second opening or cover, and in this case the opening 7 is the only opening of the receiving spaces 3″ and 3″′. In FIG. 11b, it is at least indicted that the heart pump 4 lies in the receiving space 3″′ in the expanded condition, and that this expanded condition has such a diameter that the pump can pass through the opening 7a″′ in an essentially compression-free manner, but can only pass the opening 7 under compression.

[0068] In some cases, it is then possible for the grip part 26 not to be assembled until after the heart pump has been brought into the receiving space 3, 3′, 3″, 3″′. The removal of the pump is possible without destruction only in the described manner, after assembly of the grip.