BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

a. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to mechanical circulatory support systems, and more specifically relates to inflow cannulas of blood pump assemblies that include an expandable sleeve configured to alleviate risks associated with stasis or areas of low blood flow around the inflow cannula.

b. Background

Ventricular assist devices, known as VADs, are implantable blood pumps used for both short-term (i.e., days, months) and long-term (i.e., years or a lifetime) applications where a patient's heart is incapable of providing adequate circulation, commonly referred to as heart failure or congestive heart failure. A patient suffering from heart failure may use a VAD while awaiting a heart transplant or as a long term destination therapy. In another example, a patient may use a VAD while recovering from heart surgery. Thus, a VAD can supplement a weak heart (i.e., partial support) or can effectively replace the natural heart's function. VADs can be implanted in the patient's body and powered by an electrical power source inside or outside the patient's body.

In certain applications, an inflow cannula of the VAD is implanted within the left ventricle of a patient's heart to supply blood from within the ventricle to a pump of the VAD. In some instances, blood flow around the inflow cannula may be reduced, resulting in areas of low blood flow or stasis. These areas of low blood flow and stasis, in combination with prothrombotic myocardium tissue around the hole formed in the patient's heart, are potential sites of thrombus formation within the ventricle.

Accordingly, a need exists for improved inflow cannulas for VADs that reduce or eliminate areas of low blood flow or stasis around the inflow cannula.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to an inflow cannula for an implantable blood pump assembly. The inflow cannula includes a tubular body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The tubular body includes a proximal portion adapted for connection to a pump housing, and a distal portion adapted for positioning within an opening formed in a heart. The inflow cannula further includes an expandable sleeve coupled to an exterior surface of the distal portion. The sleeve has a first portion coupled to the distal portion of the tubular body, and a second portion extending from the distal end of the tubular body. The second portion is deployable from a first, stored configuration to a second, deployed configuration in which the second portion expands radially to engage and conform to an endocardial surface of the heart.

The present disclosure is further directed to an implantable blood pump assembly that includes a housing, a rotor, a stator, and an inflow cannula. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet. The rotor is positioned within the flow path and is operable to pump blood from the inlet to the outlet. The stator is positioned within the pump housing and is operable to drive the rotor. The inflow cannula has a proximal portion adapted for coupling to the housing inlet, and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion. The implantable blood pump assembly further includes an expandable sleeve coupled to an exterior of the distal portion of the inflow cannula. The sleeve has a first portion coupled to the distal portion of the inflow cannula, and a second portion extending from a distal end of the inflow cannula. The second portion is deployable from a first, stored configuration to a second, deployed configuration in which the second portion expands radially to engage and conform to an endocardial surface of a heart.

The present disclosure is further directed to a method for implanting an inflow cannula within a heart of patient. The method includes positioning a distal portion of the inflow cannula within a hole formed in the heart. The inflow cannula includes an expandable sleeve that has a first portion coupled to the distal portion of the inflow cannula, and a second portion extending from a distal end of the inflow cannula. The method further includes securing the inflow cannula to the heart, and deploying the second portion of the sleeve from a first, stored configuration to a second, deployed configuration such that the second portion of the sleeve expands radially and engages and conforms to an endocardial surface of the heart.

