Quick-connect outflow tube for ventricular assist device

1. An implantable cardiac assist apparatus comprising:

an implantable pump having a cylindrical outlet port with a groove defining a lip;

an outflow conduit for conveying blood from the pump; and

a connector fixed to one end of the outflow conduit, wherein the connector is comprised of:

a main sleeve joined to the outflow conduit and configured to mate with the outlet port, the main sleeve having a longitudinal axis;

a plurality of prongs extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein each prong has a distal end with a claw, and wherein each prong is bendable so that its respective claw deflects over the lip to be captured in the groove when the main sleeve is advanced onto the outlet port; and

a lock nut movable between a retracted position and a locking position;

wherein the connector is movably retained on the outlet port by the plurality of prongs when the claws are positioned in the groove and the lock nut is in the retracted position, and is rigidly retained on the outlet port to form a seal between surfaces of the outlet port and surfaces of the main sleeve when the lock nut is advanced to the locking position, wherein the plurality of prongs are further comprised of a base ring that is retained on the main sleeve, wherein the outlet port comprises a plurality of threads on an outer circumference for receiving the lock nut, wherein the groove is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axial grooves recessed into the plurality of threads, wherein each axial groove includes at least one respective lip defined by a circumferential narrowing of the respective axial groove, wherein each axial groove receives at least one respective prong, wherein the main sleeve is rotatable within the base ring when the lock nut is in the retracted position, and wherein the base ring is clamped into a fixed position when the lock nut is in the locking position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the groove and the lip extend circumferentially around the outlet port.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the lock nut has a bearing surface with an inner diameter, wherein when the lock nut is in the retracted position then the bearing surface is axially offset from the prongs, and wherein when the lock nut is in the locking position then the bearing surface bears against the prongs and prevents the claws from expanding over the lip.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the main sleeve includes an outward flange proximate to the outlet port, and wherein the prongs each extend from the base ring over the outward flange.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the base ring and the main sleeve are keyed so that the base ring is compressed against the outward flange.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a spring washer between the base ring and the outward flange.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the spring washer is comprised of a wavy C-ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a seal mounted on the outlet port for compressing between the outlet port and the outward flange.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least one of the claws or the circumferential groove are tapered so that when the claws are fully seated into the circumferential groove by the lock nut being moved to the locking position then the main sleeve is compressed against the seal.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a seal mounted on the outlet port for compressing between the outlet port and the main sleeve.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lock nut is threaded onto the main sleeve.

12. A method of connecting an outlet port of an implantable cardiac assist pump to an outflow conduit, comprising:

advancing a main sleeve of a connector onto the outlet port, wherein the connector includes a plurality of prongs that each have a claw and the main sleeve is advanced so that at least one claw expands over a lip of the outlet port and enters a groove of the outlet port, and wherein a lock nut of the connector is in a retracted position during the advancing step;

adjusting the position of the outflow conduit to a particular orientation, wherein the connector is movably retained on the outlet port during the adjusting step as a result of the claw being positioned in the groove; and

moving the lock nut from the retracted position to a locking position to prevent the at least one claw from expanding over the lip, and so that the connector is rigidly retained on the outlet port to form a seal between surfaces of the outlet port and surfaces of the main sleeve;

wherein the plurality of prongs are further comprised of a base ring that is retained on the main sleeve, wherein the outlet port comprises a plurality of threads on an outer circumference for receiving the lock nut, wherein the groove is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axial grooves recessed into the plurality of threads, wherein each axial groove includes at least one respective lip defined by a circumferential narrowing of the respective axial groove, wherein each axial groove receives at least one respective prong, wherein the adjusting step is comprised of rotating the main sleeve within the base ring when the lock nut is in the retracted position.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the groove and the lip extend circumferentially around the outlet port, and wherein the adjusting step is comprised of rotating the connector with respect to the outlet port by sliding the claws circumferentially along the circumferential groove.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein a seal member is positioned between the main sleeve and the outlet port, and wherein at least one of the claws or the circumferential groove are tapered so that when the claws are fully seated into the circumferential groove by the lock nut being moved to the locking position then the main sleeve is compressed against the seal member.

15. A method of connecting an outlet port of an implantable cardiac assist pump to an outflow conduit, comprising:

advancing a main sleeve of a connector that is coupled to the outflow conduit onto the outlet port, wherein a lock nut of the connector is in a retracted position during the advancing step;

adjusting the position of the outflow conduit to a particular orientation, wherein the connector is movably retained on the outlet port during the adjusting step; and

moving the lock nut from the retracted position to a locking position so that the connector is rigidly retained on the outlet port to form a seal between surfaces of the outlet port and surfaces of the main sleeve;

wherein the connector includes a plurality of prongs that each have a claw and the main sleeve is advanced so that at least one claw expands over a lip of the outlet port and enters a groove of the outlet port, wherein the plurality of prongs are further comprised of a base ring that is retained on the main sleeve, wherein the outlet port comprises a plurality of threads on an outer circumference for receiving the lock nut, wherein the groove is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axial grooves recessed into the plurality of threads, wherein each axial groove includes at least one respective lip defined by a circumferential narrowing of the respective axial groove, wherein each axial groove receives at least one respective prong, wherein the main sleeve is rotatable within the base ring when the lock nut is in the retracted position, and wherein the base ring is clamped into a fixed position when the lock nut is in the locking position.