APPARATUS FOR USE WITH AN INFLOW CANNULA OF A VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE

摘要

An apparatus (10) for use with an inflow cannula (12) of a ventricular assist device (VAD) (14). The cannula (12) has a first part (30) for connecting with a ventricle (22) of a heart (24) and a second part (32) for connecting with the VAD (14). The apparatus (10) comprises a flexible conduit (60) having oppositely disposed first and second ends (70 and 72) and a main body portion (68) intermediate the ends. The main body portion (68) is movable between a radially collapsed closed condition in which blood flow through the conduit (60) is blocked and a radially expanded open condition in which blood flow through the conduit is unrestricted. A first connector (64) connects the first end (70) of the conduit (60) to the first part (30) of the inflow cannula (12). A second connector (62 and 66) connects the second end (72) of the conduit (60) to the second part (32) of the inflow cannula (12). Several designs are disclosed for securing the connectors (64, 62, and 66) together to prevent relative movement of the ends (70, 72) away from each other.