NEEDLE GUARD, ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF IMPLANTING A HEART ASSIST SYSTEM

摘要

A needle guard is used when suturing the cuff of an attachment ring to the heart. The needle guard is disposed in the attachment ring to prevent other parts of the attachment ring from being punctured by a suturing needle. The needle guard can include one or more grooves to inhibit relative movement between the needle guard and the attachment ring during suturing. The needle guard is removed upon completion of suturing and to allow insertion into attachment ring of an inflow conduit of a heart assist device. An articulated clamp is used to compress the attachment ring into engagement with the inflow conduit. The attachment include an annular rib that grabs the inflow conduit.

主权项

1. A needle guard for use with a cardiac attachment ring of a heart assist system, the needle guard comprising:
a cylinder including a top end, a bottom end surface, and cylindrical side surface defining an outer diameter; and a stop member at the top end of the cylinder, the stop member having a maximum width greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical side surface.