Implantable flow connector

Abstract

An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.

1 - 154 . (canceled) 
     
     
         155 . A method for fluidly connecting a flow connector to a source body space and a destination body space, comprising,
 providing a flow connector including a conduit having a longitudinally-extending lumen terminating at an orifice at opposing first and second ends of the conduit, wherein a second end of the conduit is configured to be implanted in the destination element through an opening in the destination element, and a radially extending, circumferential flange proximate the first end of the conduit is configured to be implanted through an opening in a tissue wall of the source body space:   temporarily reducing the size of the flange;   inserting said reduced flange through the opening in the wall of said source body space;   releasing the reduced size flange thereby allowing the flange to expand from its reduced size, the flange configured to engage an inside wall of the source body space upon implantation due to a force exerted thereon; and   leaving the flow connector in the body spaces such that a second end of the conduit is coupled to the destination body space so that fluid can flow from the source body space through the lumen in the conduit and into the destination body space.   
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 155 , wherein the step of reducing the size of the flange is performed manually. 
     
     
         157 . The method of  claim 155 , further comprising:
 artificially forming the opening in the source body space.   
     
     
         158 . The method of  claim 155 , wherein the flange is structured so as to deform for insertion into the source body space while avoiding substantial bending once implanted to thereby prevent pull out from the source body space. 
     
     
         159 . The method of  claim 155 , further comprising the step of inserting a retaining member over the destination body space such that a portion of destination body space is between the conduit and retaining member. 
     
     
         160 . A method for fluidly connecting a first element within a patient's body to a second element within the patient's body, the method comprising:
 providing a flow connector having a conduit and a flange, the conduit having a lumen and the flange extending radially with respect to the conduit;   positioning the flow connector in a position such that the flange extends into the first element and the conduit extends into the second element such that blood can flow from the first element through an entrance orifice in the conduit, then through the lumen in the conduit and out an exit orifice in the conduit to flow into the second element; and   leaving the flow connector in the position to be self retained in the position to maintain blood flow from the first element to the second element.   
     
     
         161 . The method of  claim 160 , wherein the flange has a continuous outer surface, and the step of positioning the flow connector causes the outer surface of the flange to contact an internal wall of the first element. 
     
     
         162 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein the step of leaving the flow connector in the position causes the flange to seal against the first element. 
     
     
         163 . The method of  claim 160 , wherein the step of positioning the flow connector causes the flange to seal against a wall the first element. 
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 160 , further comprising the step of deforming the flange prior to insertion into the first body element. 
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 160 , wherein the second element is positioned over an external surface of the conduit. 
     
     
         166 . The method of  claim 160 , wherein the flange has a reinforcement region. 
     
     
         167 . The method of  claim 160 , further comprising the step of forming an artificial opening in the first element for insertion of the flange. 
     
     
         168 . The method of  claim 167 , wherein in the step of positioning the flow connector the conduit is inserted through a natural opening in the second element to create an end to side anastomosis. 
     
     
         169 . The method of  claim 160 , wherein the flange generates an outward force and a wall of the first element resists such outward force, thereby providing a compression force to the flange. 
     
     
         170 . The method of  claim 160 , wherein the flange has a contact surface and an opposing surface, and the contact surface is urged toward the opening in a wall of the first element to provide a seal between the contact surface and the wall without the need for additional elements to seal. 
     
     
         171 . The method of  claim 170 , wherein the opposing surface of the flange is exposed to fluid. 
     
     
         172 . The method of  claim 160 , wherein the conduit has a plurality of protrusions to frictionally engage the second element, and the method further includes the step of positioning the second element over the plurality of protrusions.