Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for improving connections between a heart pump, such a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and the heart and/or tubing such as a graft tube. An apical connector including a cylindrical housing and a ring support connected to the housing is described. The apical connector may include a sewing ring to be connected to the patient's heart and a spring positioned within the cylindrical housing to engage a portion of the pump and secure the apical connector to the pump. Alternatively, an apical connector may include an upper and lower housing with locks positioned in channels between the housings and may include a handle and a ring to cause the locks to engage a portion of the pump. A quick connect assembly is also described for efficiently connecting a graft tube to an outlet of a heart pump using a flange with through-holes and protrusions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for improving connections between a heart pump, such a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and the heart and/or tubing such as a graft tube. An apical connector including a cylindrical housing and a ring support connected to the housing is described. The apical connector may include a sewing ring to be connected to the patient's heart and a spring positioned within the cylindrical housing to engage a portion of the pump and secure the apical connector to the pump. Alternatively, an apical connector may include an upper and lower housing with locks positioned in channels between the housings and may include a handle and a ring to cause the locks to engage a portion of the pump. A quick connect assembly is also described for efficiently connecting a graft tube to an outlet of a heart pump using a flange with through-holes and protrusions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for improving connections between a heart pump such a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and the heart and/or tubing such as a graft tube. An apical connector including a cylindrical housing and a ring support connected to the housing is described. The apical connector may include a sewing ring to be connected to the patient's heart and a spring positioned within the cylindrical housing to engage a portion of the pump and secure the apical connector to the pump. Alternatively, an apical connector may include an upper and lower housing with locks positioned in channels between the housings and may include a handle and a ring to cause the locks to engage a portion of the pump. A quick connect assembly is also described for efficiently connecting a graft tube to an outlet of a heart pump using a flange with through-holes and protrusions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for improving connections between a heart pump such a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and the heart and/or tubing such as a graft tube. An apical connector including a cylindrical housing and a ring support connected to the housing is described. The apical connector may include a sewing ring to be connected to the patient's heart and a spring positioned within the cylindrical housing to engage a portion of the pump and secure the apical connector to the pump. Alternatively, an apical connector may include an upper and lower housing with locks positioned in channels between the housings and may include a handle and a ring to cause the locks to engage a portion of the pump. A quick connect assembly is also described for efficiently connecting a graft tube to an outlet of a heart pump using a flange with through-holes and protrusions.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for replacing a percutaneous cable in connection with a vascular device. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a distal disconnect coupler, a distal connector portion of the cable configured for removable connection with the distal disconnect coupler, and a connector cap configured for removable connection with the distal disconnect coupler and for tunneling through skin and tissue. In one embodiment, a method of repositioning a percutaneous cable in connection with a vascular device includes providing the cable with a distal disconnect coupler, disconnecting the cable at the distal disconnect coupler, attaching a connector cap to the distal disconnect coupler, removing the percutaneous cable from a first exit site, tunneling the connector cap together with the distal disconnect coupler through skin and tissue to form a new exit site, disconnecting the connector cap, and connecting the cable to the distal disconnect coupler.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for replacing a percutaneous cable in connection with a vascular device. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a distal disconnect coupler, a distal connector portion of the cable configured for removable connection with the distal disconnect coupler, and a connector cap configured for removable connection with the distal disconnect coupler and for tunneling through skin and tissue. In one embodiment, a method of repositioning a percutaneous cable in connection with a vascular device includes providing the cable with a distal disconnect coupler, disconnecting the cable at the distal disconnect coupler, attaching a connector cap to the distal disconnect coupler, removing the percutaneous cable from a first exit site, tunneling the connector cap together with the distal disconnect coupler through skin and tissue to form a new exit site, disconnecting the connector cap, and connecting the cable to the distal disconnect coupler.