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 method of attaching an attachment ring of a heart assist system to the heart, the method comprising:
inserting a needle guard into an attachment ring, including inserting a cylindrical side surface of the needle guard into a ring channel that passes through the attachment ring, wherein the cylindrical side surface extends entirely through the ring channel; inserting a suture through heart tissue and a cuff of the attachment ring while the needle guard is temporarily disposed within the attachment ring, the suture connecting the attachment ring to the heart tissue; and removing the needle guard out of the attachment ring after the inserting of the suture.