Apical ring for ventricular assist device

Abstract

An apical ring for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart has an annular disk with a central aperture for receiving the conduit. A collar is axially aligned with the central aperture and has a cylindrical shape interrupted by a gap between first and second ends of the collar. The collar has a fixed section joined to the annular disk and has a cantilever section extending from the fixed section to the first end of the collar. A tightener selectively drives the first end toward the second end to close the gap in order to retain the conduit within the collar. The cantilever section includes a relief slot that is expandable for extending a circumferential length of the cantilever section in response to interacting with the conduit when the gap is closed.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A system for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart, the system comprising:
 a ring comprising:
 a collar defining a central aperture for receiving the conduit; and 
 a screw-type tightener for selectively closing the collar to retain the conduit within the collar. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a plug configured to be inserted into the ring.   
     
     
         18 . The system for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a sealing disk coupled with the ring such that the plug passes through the ring and the sealing disk.   
     
     
         19 . The system for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the plug is configured to pass through the myocardium wall of the heart.   
     
     
         20 . The system for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the collar comprises a first end and a second end separated by an axial gap.   
     
     
         21 . The system for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 the first end is fixed with the body; and   a portion of the collar includes a circumferential gap to provide a cantilever section at a position proximal to the second end such that the screw-type tightener is tightenable to move the second end toward the first end thereby flexing the cantilever section to reduce the size of the central aperture to secure the inflow conduit.   
     
     
         22 . The system for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the collar comprises one or more relief slots positioned along a circumference of the collar.   
     
     
         23 . A method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring, the method comprising:
 securing an apical ring to a wall of a heart, the apical ring comprising a sealing disk and a collar defining a central aperture that provides access into the heart through the wall;   inserting an inflow conduit through the central aperture; and   screwing a tightener to progressively close the collar and secure the inflow conduit within the central aperture of the collar.   
     
     
         24 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 the collar comprises a first end portion and a second end portion separated by a gap; and   screwing the tightener moves the first end portion and the second end portion toward each other to reduce the size of the gap.   
     
     
         25 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 the first end is fixed with the collar;   a portion of the collar includes a circumferential gap to provide a cantilever section at a position proximal to the second end such that when the screw-type tightener is tightened, the second end is moved toward the first end thereby flexing the cantilever section and reducing the size of the central aperture to secure the inflow conduit.   
     
     
         26 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 unscrewing the tightener to release the collar to enable adjustment of the position of the inflow conduit.   
     
     
         27 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 26 , further comprising:
 after unscrewing the tightener, removing the inflow conduit; and   inserting a plug into the ring to seal the central aperture.   
     
     
         28 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 27 , wherein:
 the plug is configured to pass through the myocardium wall of the heart.   
     
     
         29 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 unscrewing the tightener to progressively open the collar; and   removing the conduit from the central aperture.   
     
     
         30 . A method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring, the method comprising:
 securing an apical ring to a wall of a heart, the apical ring comprising a collar defining a central aperture that provides access into the heart through the wall;   inserting an inflow conduit through the central aperture;   tightening a tightener to close the collar and secure the inflow conduit within the central aperture of the collar; and   loosening the tightener to release the collar to enable adjustment of a position of the inflow conduit.   
     
     
         31 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 after the loosening, removing the inflow conduit; and   inserting a plug into the ring to seal the central aperture.   
     
     
         32 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 30 , wherein:
 the tightener comprises a screw-type tightener.   
     
     
         33 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 30 , wherein:
 the collar comprises a first end portion and a second end portion separated by a gap; and   tightening the tightener moves the first end portion and the second end portion toward each other to reduce the size of the gap.   
     
     
         34 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 30 , wherein:
 the first end is fixed with the collar;   a portion of the collar includes a circumferential gap to provide a cantilever section at a position proximal to the second end such that when the screw-type tightener is tightened, the second end is moved toward the first end thereby flexing the cantilever section and reducing the size of the central aperture to secure the inflow conduit.   
     
     
         35 . The method for providing an interface with the heart using an apical ring according to  claim 30 , wherein:
 a sealing disk is coupled with the collar such that the plug passes through the ring and the sealing disk.