Cardiac assist device, instruments, and methods

Abstract

An inventive fastener is provided that affixes a cardiac assist device to the aorta wall at the site of an aortonomy allowing the cardiac assist device to be deployed in any region of the aorta by minimally invasive techniques. The devices and methods described herein allow for improved patient outcome.

1 . A fastener for attaching a cardiac assist device to an aorta comprising:
 an anvil;   a staple magazine, said staple magazine removably or fixedly connected to said anvil; and   a handle removably or fixedly connected to said anvil or said staple magazine;   said anvil or said staple magazine associated with a cardiac assist device prior to deploying the cardiac assist device, for creating an everted anastomotic line when the cardiac assist device is deployed in an aortic wall.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein said anvil and said staple magazine define an elliptical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1  further comprising one or more embracers, said embracers connected to said anvil or said staple magazine. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 3  wherein said embracers comprise one or more securement points operable for associating said embracer with a shunt. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 3  wherein said embracers extend or are positioned beyond an aortotomy. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1  further comprising a staple shuttle movably connected to said staple magazine. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 6  further comprising a knife connected to said staple shuttle passing within said staple magazine and a channel of said anvil. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein said channel is a space such that the anvil comprises two rectilinear extensions. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 8  wherein said anvil further comprises a brace attaching the distal ends of the extensions. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of alignment devices removably connecting said anvil to said staple magazine. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 6  further comprising a second staple shuttle, said second staple shuttle further comprising a knife such that activation of both shuttles creates an aortotomy.