Apparatus and methods for coupling a blood pump to the heart

A system comprising:

• a blood pump comprising an inlet and an outlet as well as an inflow cannula extending from the inlet and an outflow cannula extending from the outlet, the blood pump configured to pump blood from the inlet to the outlet, the inlet and the outlet aligned coaxially and configured to direct blood flow in parallel directions to one another, the inflow cannula comprising at least one first groove configured to receive a sealing ring;
• and
• an apparatus for coupling the blood pump to a patient's heart, the apparatus comprising:
• a sewing ring configured to be sutured to the patient's heart;
• a vertical portion forming an annular shape and coupled to the sewing ring, the vertical portion comprising an opening sized and shaped to receive the inflow cannula of the blood pump and to interface with the sealing ring to form an impermeable seal between the inflow cannula of the blood pump and the vertical portion;
• a locking mechanism configured to be coupled to a housing of the blood pump and transitionable between a closed state and an open state, the locking mechanism comprising a biased structure, the locking mechanism configured to prevent translational and rotational movement of the locking mechanism relative to the housing of the blood pump when the locking mechanism is in the closed position,
• wherein the biased structure is configured to bias the locking mechanism to transition between the open state and the closed state, and
• wherein the biased structure is configured to fit moveably within at least one second groove of the locking mechanism as the biased structure transitions between the open state and the closed state.