Ventricular assist device and method
An intracorporeal device is provided for supporting heart function of a patient. The intracorporeal device is configured to be secured across at least two anatomical walls of the heart. The intracorporeal device is configured to be secured to one or more anatomical walls by a connector. The connector is arranged to be positioned across one or more anatomical walls.
1. An intracorporeal device for supporting heart function of a patient, wherein said intracorporeal device is configured to be secured across at least two intra-cardiac anatomical walls of the heart,
further comprising a proximal portion positioned in a first anatomical compartment, an intermediate portion positioned in a second anatomical compartment, a distal portion positioned in a third anatomical compartment.
2. The intracorporeal device according to claim 1 , wherein the intracorporeal device is further configured to be secured across an extra-cardiac anatomical wall.
3. The intracorporeal device according to claim 1 , wherein the intracorporeal device is configured to be secured to one or more anatomical walls by means of:
a connector, said connector arranged to be positioned across said one or more anatomical walls; and, optionally,
a fixing means, said fixing means being integrally formed or coupled to the intracorporeal device.
4. The intracorporeal device according to claim 3 , wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of arms extending from the intracorporeal device.
5. The intracorporeal device according to claim 1 , wherein the intracorporeal device comprises one or more recesses adapted and configured to receive one or more anatomical walls.
6. The intracorporeal device according to claim 1 , comprising a motor located in the proximal portion, one or more fluid inlet ports in the intermediate portion, a pump in the intermediate portion, and one or more fluid outlet ports in the distal portion.
7. The intracorporeal device according to claim 6 , wherein the pump comprises an impeller and a pump housing, wherein the impeller is positioned within the pump housing.
8. The intracorporeal device according to claim 7 , wherein the impeller comprises a tapered profile that is at a maximum at a central portion of the impeller.
9. The intracorporeal device according to claim 6 , comprising a static diffuser positioned in the distal portion and prior to the one or more fluid outlet ports.
10. The intracorporeal device according to claim 1 , comprising a coupling member at an end of the distal portion.
11. The intracorporeal device according to claim 10 , wherein the coupling member comprises a static diffuser.
12. The intracorporeal device of claim 10 , wherein the coupling member facilitates coupling of a fixing means.
13. The intracorporeal device according to claim 9 , wherein the static diffuser is positioned between the impeller and the one or more fluid outlet ports.
14. The intracorporeal device according to claim 6 , comprising a motor coupling element that is arranged to couple a drive shaft of the motor to the pump.
15. The intracorporeal device according to claim 14 , wherein the motor coupling element magnetically couples the drive shaft of the motor to the pump.
16. The intracorporeal device according to claim 15 , wherein the motor coupling element axially couples the drive shaft of the motor to the pump.
17. The intracorporeal device according to claim 15 , wherein the motor coupling element radially couples the drive shaft of the motor to the pump.
18. The intracorporeal device according to claim 14 , wherein the motor, the drive shaft and a magnetic element at an end of the drive shaft are situated in a hermetically sealed housing.
19. The intracorporeal device according to claim 18 , wherein a portion of the motor coupling element surrounds a portion of the hermetically sealed housing containing the magnetic element.
20. The intracorporeal device according to claim 19 , wherein an interstitial space is present between the portion of the motor coupling element and the portion of the hermetically sealed housing.
21. The intracorporeal device of claim 14 , wherein an interface of the motor coupling element is magnetically fixable to an interface of the motor in order to couple the drive shaft to the pump, and wherein a gap is present between the interfaces during coupling.
22. The intracorporeal device according to claim 21 , wherein in use the gap facilitates fluid flow between the motor interface and the interface of the motor coupling element.
23. The intracorporeal device according to claim 21 , wherein a further interface of the motor coupling element couples to an interface of the impeller.
24. The intracorporeal device according to claim 14 , wherein the motor coupling element comprises one or more bore portions.
25. The intracorporeal device according to claim 24 , wherein the one or more bore portions comprise bore holes that extend through the motor coupling element.
26. The intracorporeal device according to claim 24 , wherein the one or more bore portions comprise segmented arms that couple said interfaces of the motor coupling element to the respective impeller interfaces.
27. The intracorporeal device according to claim 24 , wherein in use fluid is arranged to flow between the motor interface and the interface of the motor coupling element and through the one or more bore portions towards the impeller.
28. The intracorporeal device according to claim 24 , wherein the one or more fluid inlet ports are positioned between the one or more bore portions and the impeller.
29. The intracorporeal device according to claim 6 , wherein the motor comprises power and control means.
30. The intracorporeal device according to claim 29 , wherein the power and control means is coupled to the motor via a tapered portion.