Abstract: An endovascular anastomotic connector and method of using the same. The endovascular anastomotic connector includes a vascular conduit and a supply conduit. The vascular conduit has proximal and distal ends that reside within a vascular structure. The supply conduit extends at an angle from the vascular conduit. The proximal end of the supply conduit is configured to be attached to an auxiliary device.

Abstract: A system for drawing blood from a heart of a patient, includes a blood pump, an outflow cannula and a flexible cannula assembly. The cannula assembly further includes a flexible cannula body including a proximal end, a distal end, an inner wall defining a lumen, and an outer wall. A tip is coupled with the distal end of the cannula body, and an anchor is coupled to the tip. The anchor is configured to engage an internal structure of the heart and resists movement of the cannula assembly in at least one direction along the flexible cannula body. A ring member is configured to be coupled to the heart wall and is positioned at least partially around the outer wall of the cannula body proximally relative to the tip. The ring member is further configured to provide hemostasis between the heart wall and the cannula body.

Abstract: A system for facilitating fluid connection between cannulae and a blood pump. The system includes a cannula having a distal end adapted to be in fluid communication with the circulatory system and a proximal end configured to couple to an inlet of the blood pump. Further included is a tunneling device configured to be inserted into a body of a patient to direct the proximal end of the cannula adjacent to the inlet and including a second connecting structure. Further included is a plug which has a first plug part and a second plug part. The first plug part includes a second connecting structure, the first and second connecting structures being selectively engageable. The second plug part is configured to be inserted in the proximal end of the cannula. The first and second plug parts are selectively disengageable to allow in situ disconnection between the cannula and tunneling device.

Abstract: A malleable cannula. The malleable cannula includes a polymeric jacket and a malleable member. The malleable member, being surrounded by the jacket, includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween and along a lengthwise axis of the malleable cannula. The malleable member further includes a longitudinal strut that is parallel to the lengthwise axis and a plurality of transverse struts coupled to and extending laterally away from the longitudinal strut and at least a portion of the lumen. The malleable member is configured to assume and maintain a shape of the malleable cannula.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for establishing a blood flow conduit between a chamber in a heart of a patient and a remote location. A blood inflow cannula having an outer surface and proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion is configured for insertion into the chamber of the heart. First and second anchor elements have respective maximum width dimensions extending outwardly from the outer surface of the cannula. The first anchor element is positioned more distally than the second anchor element defining a tissue receiving space therebetween. The maximum width dimension of the first anchor element may be larger than the maximum width dimension of the second anchor element in use. The first anchor element is configured to be positioned inside the heart chamber and the second anchor element is configured to be positioned outside the heart chamber with heart tissue held in the tissue receiving space therebetween.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system comprising an inflow cannula having a lumen and an insertion device configured to be received therein and to facilitate insertion of a portion of the inflow cannula into a heart chamber. The insertion device includes a shaft having distal and proximal end portions and a plurality of lumens. A first lumen is configured to receive a guidewire and a second lumen is configured to receive a pressurized fluid. A tip connected to the distal end portion of the shaft is configured for insertion into the heart chamber. The tip has a hollow interior communicating with the first shaft lumen. An inflatable member is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the second shaft lumen. The inflatable member is movable between deflated and inflated configurations for releasably securing the insertion device to the inflow cannula.

Abstract: A system for facilitating fluid connection between cannulae and a blood pump. The system includes a cannula having proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the cannula adapted to be in fluid communication with the circulatory system. The proximal end of the cannula configured to couple to an inlet of the blood pump. The system further includes a tunneling device configured to be inserted into a body of a patient to direct the proximal end of the cannula adjacent to the inlet for connection thereto. The cannula further includes a first connecting structure. The tunneling device further includes a second connecting structure. The first and second connecting structures are selectively engageable to allow connection and disconnection between the cannula and tunneling device.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for directing blood from the heart of a patient and a minimally invasive method of implanting the same. The cannula assembly includes a flexible cannula body having a proximal end and a distal end with a receiving portion, and a transseptal tip having a distal end and a proximal end with an engaging portion. First and second anchors are coupled to the transseptal tip and configured to be deployed from a contracted state to an expanded state. The engaging portion of the transseptal tip is operable to removably engage the receiving portion of the flexible cannula body in vivo.

Abstract: A cannula for moving fluids between a pump and the circulatory system of a patient. The cannula includes a liner having an intermediate portion between a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal portions. At least the intermediate portion of the liner is constructed from a tissue in-growth material for supporting the growth of endothelial cells. A jacket surrounds at least part of the liner.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a patient is disclosed. A fluid drive module includes a fluid drive element, a housing, and a chamber located between the housing and the fluid drive element. A controller or control module modifies the speed of the fluid drive element during use, such as to prevent thrombus or otherwise improve flow conditions. Methods of alternating fluid flow are also provided.

Abstract: A malleable cannula (50) for fluidically coupling with an anatomical structure includes a flexible cannula body wall (64) having a proximal end (68), a distal end (70), and a lumen (72) extending longitudinally between the proximal end (68) and the distal end (70). The proximal end (68) defines a first opening (80) to the lumen (72) and the distal end (70) defining a second opening (82) to the lumen (72). A channel is defined by a portion of the cannula body wall and extends longitudinally from the distal end (70) toward the proximal end (68). The channel has a first end oriented toward the proximal end of the cannula body wall. A malleable member (100) is provided within the channel and is fixedly connected to the cannula body wall (64) at the first end of the channel. The malleable member (100) is configured to assume and maintain a formed shape of the cannula body wall (64).

Abstract: An implantable connector assembly (14) for communicating an element to an implantable device (12) within a patient (20) comprises a plug (16), a receptacle (18), and a pair of communication structures (72, 108). The plug (16) includes a plunger body (64). The receptacle (18) includes a sleeve (98) and a stopper (114). The sleeve (98) defines an opening (104), and the stopper (114) is resiliently mounted within the sleeve (98) to cover and fluidly seal the opening (104). The pair of communication structures (72, 108) is positioned respectively on the plunger body (64) and the sleeve (98). One of the communication structures (72, 108) connects to a source and the other communication structure (108, 72) connects to the implantable device (12). The plunger body (64) inserts into the sleeve (98) to displace the stopper (114) and couple the pair of communication structures (72, 108) for communication of the element therebetween.

Abstract: An endovascular anastomotic connector and method of using the same. The endovascular anastomotic connector includes a vascular conduit and a supply conduit. The vascular conduit has proximal and distal ends that reside within a vascular structure. The supply conduit extends at an angle from the vascular conduit. The proximal end of the supply conduit is configured to be attached to an auxiliary device.

Abstract: A system for facilitating fluid connection between cannulae and a blood pump. The system includes a cannula having a distal end adapted to be in fluid communication with the circulatory system and a proximal end configured to couple to an inlet of the blood pump. Further included is a tunneling device configured to be inserted into a body of a patient to direct the proximal end of the cannula adjacent to the inlet and including a second connecting structure. Further included is a plug which has a first plug part and a second plug part. The first plug part includes a second connecting structure, the first and second connecting structures being selectively engageable. The second plug part is configured to be inserted in the proximal end of the cannula. The first and second plug parts are selectively disengageable to allow in situ disconnection between the cannula and tunneling device.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system comprising an inflow cannula having a lumen and an insertion device configured to be received therein and to facilitate insertion of a portion of the inflow cannula into a heart chamber. The insertion device includes a shaft having distal and proximal end portions and a plurality of lumens. A first lumen is configured to receive a guidewire and a second lumen is configured to receive a pressurized fluid. A tip connected to the distal end portion of the shaft is configured for insertion into the heart chamber. The tip has a hollow interior communicating with the first shaft lumen. An inflatable member is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the second shaft lumen. The inflatable member is movable between deflated and inflated configurations for releasably securing the insertion device to the inflow cannula.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for establishing a blood flow conduit between a chamber in a heart of a patient and a remote location. A blood inflow cannula having an outer surface and proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion is configured for insertion into the chamber of the heart. First and second anchor elements have respective maximum width dimensions extending outwardly from the outer surface of the cannula. The first anchor element is positioned more distally than the second anchor element defining a tissue receiving space therebetween. The maximum width dimension of the first anchor element may be larger than the maximum width dimension of the second anchor element in use. The first anchor element is configured to be positioned inside the heart chamber and the second anchor element is configured to be positioned outside the heart chamber with heart tissue held in the tissue receiving space therebetween.

Abstract: A system for drawing blood from a heart of a patient, includes a blood pump, an outflow cannula and a flexible cannula assembly. The cannula assembly further includes a flexible cannula body including a proximal end, a distal end, an inner wall defining a lumen, and an outer wall. A tip is coupled with the distal end of the cannula body, and an anchor is coupled to the tip. The anchor is configured to engage an internal structure of the heart and resists movement of the cannula assembly in at least one direction along the flexible cannula body. A ring member is configured to be coupled to the heart wall and is positioned at least partially around the outer wall of the cannula body proximally relative to the tip. The ring member is further configured to provide hemostasis between the heart wall and the cannula body.

Abstract: A test controller and method to operate a rotary motor of a pump are provided. The test controller includes a test speed circuit electrically coupled to, but detachable from, the pump and being configured to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. An actuator selectively activates the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor at the predetermined test speed and/or for the predetermined test time. The method includes electrically coupling the test controller to the pump and, in response to selective activation of the actuator, selectively activating the test speed circuit to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to operate the pump motor at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. The method further includes detaching the test controller from the pump.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system comprising an inflow cannula having a lumen and an insertion device configured to be received therein and to facilitate insertion of a portion of the inflow cannula into a heart chamber. The insertion device includes a shaft having distal and proximal end portions and a plurality of lumens. A first lumen is configured to receive a guidewire and a second lumen is configured to receive a pressurized fluid. A tip connected to the distal end portion of the shaft is configured for insertion into the heart chamber. The tip has a hollow interior communicating with the first shaft lumen. An inflatable member is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the second shaft lumen. The inflatable member is movable between deflated and inflated configurations for releasably securing the insertion device to the inflow cannula.

Abstract: A bifurcated cannula for directing blood into the arterial system. The bifurcated cannula including an ingress channel and first and second egress channels. The first egress channel directs a first portion of the blood entering the bifurcated cannula into the arterial system in a first direction. The second egress channel directs a second portion of the blood entering the bifurcated cannula into the arterial system in a direction that opposes the first direction.