Percutaneous system, devices and methods

1. A percutaneous system comprising an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, wherein the connector comprises a neck for fluid passage from one compartment to the other, and wherein the connector comprises means for preventing tissue from hindering fluid passage through the neck.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising means for securing the neck across the anatomical wall.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the securing means comprises an expandable anchor extending from a first end of the neck.

4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein, in its expanded state, the anchor lies substantially parallel to the anatomical wall.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the prevention means comprises an expandable shield extending from a second end of the neck.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the shield in its expanded state does not substantially contact the anatomical wall.

7. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising an intracorporeal device for regulating the flow of fluid between the two anatomical compartments.

8. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the flow regulating device comprises an actuator to allow or prevent fluid flow through the intracorporeal connector.

9. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the flow regulating device comprises a pump.

10. The system according to claim 7 , further comprising means for securing the flow regulating means to the connector.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein one or both anatomical compartments are compartments of the circulatory system.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid is blood.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is a ventricular assist device.

14. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a percutaneous insertion device comprising a needle, said needle comprising a needle body, a guide wire and a puncture head.

15. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the puncture head comprises a solid tip.

16. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the dimensions of the widest cross section of the puncture head are substantially the same as those of the cross section of the distal end of the guide wire.

17. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the insertion device further comprises a dilator.

18. The system according to claim 17 , wherein the dimensions of the widest cross section of the puncture head are substantially the same as those of the distal end of the dilator.

19. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the insertion device further comprises means for guiding a sheath.

20. A percutaneous system comprising an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, wherein the connector is made wholly or partly of a shape memory material.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the connector comprises a neck for fluid passage from one compartment to the other, and wherein the connector comprises means for preventing tissue from hindering fluid passage through the neck.

22. The system of claim 20 , wherein the connector comprises means for securing the neck across the anatomical wall.

23. A percutaneous system comprising an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, wherein the connector comprises a neck for fluid passage from one compartment to the other, wherein the neck comprises a gate to selectively prevent or allow passage of fluid through the neck.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the connector comprises means for securing the neck across the anatomical wall.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the connector comprises means for preventing tissue from hindering fluid passage through the neck.

26. A percutaneous system comprising an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, further comprising means for treating the fluid.

27. The system according to claim 26 , wherein the fluid treatment means comprises means for contacting the fluid with one or more drug compounds.

28. The system according to claim 26 , wherein the fluid treatment means comprises means for contacting the fluid with one or more gas, such as oxygen.

29. The system of claim 26 , wherein the connector comprises a neck for fluid passage from one compartment to the other, and wherein the connector comprises means for preventing tissue from hindering fluid passage through the neck.

30. The system according to claim 29 , wherein the fluid treatment means comprises means for contacting the fluid with one or more gas, such as oxygen.

31. The system of claim 26 , wherein the connector comprises means for preventing tissue from hindering fluid passage through the neck.

32. The system according to claim 29 , wherein the fluid treatment means comprises means for contacting the fluid with one or more drug compounds.

33. A percutaneous system comprising an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, and an intracorporeal device for regulating the flow of fluid between the two anatomical compartments, wherein the device for regulating the flow of fluid comprises a rotatable shaft supporting at least one blade, said blade being adapted for extension in the longitudinal direction of the shaft into an insertion configuration.

34. The system according to claim 33 , wherein the blade is adapted for relaxation in the longitudinal direction of the shaft into a working configuration.

35. The system according to claim 34 , wherein, in the lateral direction of the shaft, the dimension of the blade is greater in the working configuration than in the insertion configuration.

36. The system according to claim 33 , wherein the blade is a screw type blade.

37. The system according to claim 33 , wherein the blade is made of a longitudinally resilient material.

38. The system of claim 33 , wherein the connector comprises a neck for fluid passage from one compartment to the other, and wherein the connector comprises means for preventing tissue from hindering fluid passage through the neck.

39. The system according to claim 38 , wherein the blade is adapted for relaxation in the longitudinal direction of the shaft into a working configuration.

40. The system according to claim 39 , wherein, in the lateral direction of the shaft, the dimension of the blade is greater in the working configuration than in the insertion configuration.

41. The system according to claim 38 , wherein the blade is a screw type blade.

42. The system according to claim 38 , wherein the blade is made of a longitudinally resilient material.

43. The system of claim 33 , wherein the connector comprises means for preventing tissue from hindering fluid passage through the neck.