Ventricular Cuff

Abstract

In one general aspect, a cuff for attachment to a heart includes an attachment component configured to engage a blood pump to attach the cuff to the blood pump and a sewing ring for attachment to the heart. The sewing ring is coupled to the attachment component, and the attachment component and the sewing ring each define a central opening configured to admit an inflow cannula of a blood pump. The sewing ring comprises a member that provides rigidity to flatten a portion of a myocardium of the heart when the cuff is attached to the heart.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heart pump cuff stabilization tool comprising:
 a handle for grasping by a hand of a surgeon; and   a tool head coupled to a distal end of the handle and configured to engage a portion of a ventricular cuff, the ventricular cuff being attached to a heart of a patient and configured for cooperation with a heart pump.   
     
     
         2 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head includes a first prong and a second prong that define an opening for receiving a portion of the cuff. 
     
     
         3 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second prong define a U-shaped opening. 
     
     
         4 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 3 , wherein the U-shaped opening has a width corresponding to a diameter of a portion of the cuff or a cannula of the cuff. 
     
     
         5 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first prong and second prong have a flat bottom surface. 
     
     
         6 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first prong and second prong have a bottom surface that defines a concave shape. 
     
     
         7 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 2 , wherein the tool head includes a standoff feature that projects from the tool head and is positioned about the opening defined by the first and second prongs. 
     
     
         8 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 7 , wherein the standoff feature is configured to engage with a portion of the cuff to provide rotational stabilization between the tool and the cuff. 
     
     
         9 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 7 , wherein the standoff feature is configured to urge the first and second prongs against a sewing ring of the cuff. 
     
     
         10 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 9 , wherein the standoff feature has a C-configuration that is positioned about the U-shaped opening defined by the prongs, and wherein ends of the standoff feature have a ramps configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 2 , further comprising a clip projecting within the opening defined by the first and second prongs, the clip having first and second ends configured for releaseable snap fit engagement with a portion of the cuff. 
     
     
         12 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is shaped and configured to interface with a corresponding surface of the cuff to provide rotational and axial stabilization. 
     
     
         13 . The heart pump cuff stabilization tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is shaped and configured to interface with a corresponding surface of the cuff to provide stabilization in at least three degrees of freedom. 
     
     
         14 . A heart pump system comprising:
 a stabilization tool having a handle for grasping by a hand of a surgeon and a tool head coupled to a distal end of the handle; and   a heart pump cuff for interfacing a heart pump with a heart of a patient;   wherein the tool head of the stabilization tool is configured to engage a portion of the heart pump cuff.   
     
     
         15 . The heart pump system of  claim 14 , wherein the heart pump cuff comprises a sewing ring, the sewing ring having two disc shaped layers formed of a felt material and a rigid insert disposed between the two disc shaped layers of felt material. 
     
     
         16 . The heart pump system of  claim 14 , wherein the heart pump cuff comprises:
 an apical ring defining an opening for receiving an inlet cannula of a heart pump, the apical ring having a heart pump engaging perimeter and a sewing ring engaging perimeter opposite the heart pump engaging perimeter;   a sewing ring coupled with the sewing ring engaging perimeter of the apical ring, the sewing ring including a heart tissue engaging surface and a top surface opposite the heart tissue engaging surface; and   a rigid frame backing the sewing ring along the top surface of the sewing ring, the rigid frame comprising a plurality of struts extending outwardly from the opening defined by the apical ring and toward an outer perimeter of the sewing ring;   wherein the plurality of struts of the rigid frame are configured to maintain a space between the top surface of the sewing ring and the heart pump engaging perimeter of the apical ring during implantation of the heart pump cuff and the heart pump to the heart of the patient.   
     
     
         17 . The heart pump system of  claim 14 , wherein the heart pump cuff comprises a fabric material supported by a rigid member and defining a central opening configured to receive an inlet cannula of the heart pump, the rigid member having a flexural modulus of greater than 50 psi. 
     
     
         18 . The heart pump system of  claim 14 , wherein the tool head of the stabilization tool includes a standoff feature configured for cooperation with a portion of the heart pump cuff to increase or maintain a clearance between the heart pump cuff and the heart pump during coupling of the heart pump to the heart pump cuff. 
     
     
         19 . The heart pump system of  claim 14 , wherein the tool head of the stabilization tool includes two prongs that define a U-shaped opening configured to receive a portion of the heart pump cuff, and wherein the two prongs are configured to overlay with an underlying fabric material of the heart pump cuff and to reduce interference with the fabric material during coupling of the heart pump to the heart pump cuff. 
     
     
         20 . The heart pump system of  claim 14 , wherein the tool head of the stabilization tool includes an engagement feature configured for engagement with a corresponding engagement feature of the heart pump cuff, wherein engagement of the tool head engagement feature with the corresponding engagement feature of the heart pump cuff provides rotational stabilization.