Percutaneous Driveline Anchor Devices and Methods of Use

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for securing a driveline to a portion of skin are disclosed herein. The driveline can connect an external controller to an implantable blood pump. The skin anchor can include a driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion can receive the driveline and fix a position of the driveline with respect to the driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion includes: a driveline receiver that can receive the driveline; and a driveline anchor that can engage the driveline to fix the position of the driveline with respect to the driveline receiver. The skin anchor can include a force distribution portion. The force distribution portion can engage a portion of skin and fix a position of the portion of skin with respect to the force distribution portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for securing a driveline to a patient via an anchor, the driveline electrically connecting an external controller and an implantable blood pump, the system comprising:
 an implantable blood pump comprising a rotor and a stator;   an external controller configured to power the implantable blood pump;   a percutaneous driveline electrically connecting the implantable blood pump and the external controller, wherein the percutaneous driveline has a diameter; and   an anchor comprising:   a driveline receiver configured to receive the driveline, wherein the driveline receiver defines an aperture configured to receive the driveline, and wherein the aperture comprises an interior surface comprising a feature configured to resist displacement of the anchor along the driveline; and   a tissue securing portion configured to secure the anchor to a tissue of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture has a diameter less than a diameter of the driveline. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises a plurality of peaks. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises one or more bendable tabs configured to engage the driveline. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the driveline receiver comprises a rolled sheet. 
     
     
         6 . An anchor for securing a percutaneous driveline to a patient, the anchor comprising:
 a driveline capture portion configured to receive the driveline and fix a position of the driveline with respect to the driveline capture portion, wherein the driveline capture portion comprises a driveline receiver configured to receive the driveline, wherein the driveline receiver defines an aperture configured to receive the driveline, and wherein the aperture comprises an interior surface comprising a feature configured to resist displacement of the anchor along the driveline; and   a tissue securing portion configured to secure the anchor to a tissue of the patient.   
     
     
         7 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture has a diameter less than a diameter of the driveline. 
     
     
         8 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises a plurality of peaks. 
     
     
         9 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises one or more bendable tabs configured to engage the driveline. 
     
     
         10 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises an adhesive or a high friction material. 
     
     
         11 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the driveline receiver comprises a rolled sheet. 
     
     
         12 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue securing portion comprises a force distribution portion extending outward from the driveline capture portion and configured to engage a tissue of the patient and fix a position of the force distribution portion with respect to the tissue so as to secure the force distribution portion directly to the tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The anchor of  claim 12 , wherein the force distribution portion comprises a skirt radially extending around the driveline. 
     
     
         14 . The anchor of  claim 13 , wherein the skirt comprises a mesh skirt. 
     
     
         15 . The anchor of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh skirt comprise at least one of: a silver mesh; a polymer mesh; or a titanium mesh. 
     
     
         16 . The anchor of  claim 15 , wherein the silver mesh comprises a porous silver mesh. 
     
     
         17 . The anchor of  claim 15 , wherein the polymer mesh comprises at least one of: polyethylene; polyethylene velour; polypropylene; or porous silicone. 
     
     
         18 . The anchor of  claim 13 , wherein the skirt has a diameter between 2 and 6 times greater than a diameter of the driveline. 
     
     
         19 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue comprises skin tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a tunneling bullet located intermediate between the driveline capture portion and the external controller, wherein the tunneling bullet comprises a base portion and a tip portion, and wherein the base portion abuts the force distribution portion, and wherein the tunneling bullet comprises a diameter of the base portion, wherein the diameter of the base portion is greater than the diameter of the force distribution portion.