IMPLANTABLE FLOW CONNECTOR
A system for coupling a first space within the body of a patient with a second space within the body of the patient including a flow connector insertable into the first and second spaces within the body, the flow connector having a conduit having a lumen having a first orifice at a first portion of the conduit and a second orifice at a second portion of the conduit, the conduit providing communication between the first and second spaces within the body. A retention device retains the conduit with respect to the first space within the body and is engageable with the first space within the body.
1 . A system for coupling a first space within the body of a patient with a second space within the body of the patient, the system comprising:
a flow connector insertable into the first and second spaces within the body, the flow connector having a conduit having a lumen having a first orifice at a first portion of the conduit and a second orifice at a second portion of the conduit, the conduit providing communication between the first and second spaces within the body; and
a retention device for retaining the conduit with respect to the first space within the body and engageable with the first space within the body.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retention device is movable to a reduced profile position for insertion.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retention device includes a first set of engaging elements extending therefrom configured to penetrate the first space within the body.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retention device includes a second set of engaging elements extending therefrom configured to penetrate the second space within the body.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow connector is positioned within an opening in the retention device and in a placement position, the retention device is positioned between an outer surface of the flow connector and an inner surface of the second space within the body.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein, the flow connector applies an outwardly directed radial force to the retention device.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retention device is positioned about an outer surface of the second space within the body and in a placement position the second body space is positioned between an outer surface of the flow connector and an inner surface of the retention device.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow connector includes a flange extending radially outwardly and insertable into the first body space, wherein the flange includes first and second lateral sections and first and second longitudinal sections, the first and second lateral sections are configured to cooperate with walls of the first space such that the flange sealingly conforms to an inner surface of a tissue wall adjacent an opening in the first space.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retention device comprises an inner component and an outer component, at least one of the inner and outer components being relatively slidable with respect to the other component.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the inner component is movable from a first configuration to a second spread configuration to provide an axial opening therein for side receipt of the second body space.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retention device includes a proximal component and a distal component, the proximal component engageable with the first body space and the distal component engageable with the second body space, the proximal and distal components interlocking.
12 . An implantable flow connector implantable into a body of a patient for fluidly coupling a first space within the body of the patient with a second space within the body of the patient, the implantable flow connector comprising:
a conduit having a lumen having a first orifice at a first portion of the conduit and a second orifice at a second portion of the conduit, the conduit configured to be implanted into the second space within the body to provide fluid flow between the first and second spaces within the body; and
a retention portion having radially extending wall engaging portions, the retention device engageable with the first and second spaces within the body.
13 . The implantable flow connector of claim 12 , wherein the retention portion is embedded in a wall of the conduit.
14 . The implantable flow connector of claim 12 , wherein the retention portion includes a plurality of struts with radially extending penetrating elements.
15 . The implantable flow connector of claim 12 , further comprising a flange extending radially from the conduit;
16 . A retention device for retaining a first body space and a second body space within a patient, the retention device comprising a first set of engaging members extending from the first component to engage the first body space and a second set of engaging members extending from the second component to engage the second body space to retain the first and second body spaces for coupling of the first and second body spaces.
17 . The retention device of claim 16 , wherein the retention device comprises a first component and a second component, the first component movable relative to the second component, and the first set of engaging members extends from the first component to engage and the second set of engaging members extends from the second component.
18 . The retention device of claim 16 , wherein the first and second engaging members have tissue penetrating tips.
19 . The retention device of claim 16 , wherein the first and second components releasably interlock.
20 . The retention device of claim 16 , further comprising a non-porous material attached thereto to enable fluid coupling of the first and second body spaces.