Line device for conducting a blood flow for a heart support system, and production and assembly method

A cardiac support system, comprising:

• a head unit;
• an outlet unit;
• and
• a line device disposed between the head unit and the outlet unit, the line device comprising a main body, wherein the main body comprises:
• a first attachment section at a first end configured to attach the line device to the head unit;
• a second attachment section at a second end;
• a structural section comprising a sidewall, the sidewall comprising:
• a flexible section proximal to the first attachment section, the flexible section having a plurality of stiffening recesses between the first attachment section and the second attachment section;
• and
• a rigid section proximal to the flexible section, wherein the rigid section is free of stiffening recesses;
• and
• a lead-out opening extending from an outer surface of the structural section to a lumen of the line device, such that a guidewire can be advanced into the lumen through the first attachment section and out of the lumen through the lead-out opening, wherein the lead-out opening is an elongate opening configured to receive the guidewire, wherein the lead-out opening is at least partially disposed within the rigid section of the sidewall proximal to the flexible section;
• wherein the second attachment section is coupled to the outlet unit, the outlet unit comprising an outlet opening, and
• wherein each individual stiffening recess of the plurality of stiffening recesses comprises a helical slot extending around the structural section from a first end of the helical slot to a second end of the helical slot, such that the plurality of stiffening recesses are discontinuous.

A method for producing a line device for conducting a blood flow for a cardiac support system, the method comprising:

• forming a main body from a semi-finished product made of a shape memory material, wherein the main body comprises:
• a first attachment section at a first end configured to attach the line device to a head unit of the cardiac support system;
• a second attachment section at a second end;
• a structural section comprising a sidewall, the sidewall comprising:
• a flexible section proximal to the first attachment section, the flexible section having a plurality of stiffening recesses between the first attachment section and the second attachment section;
• and
• a rigid section proximal to the flexible section, wherein the rigid section is free of stiffening recesses;
• and
• a lead-out opening extending from an outer surface of the structural section to a lumen of the line device, such that a guidewire can be advanced into the lumen through the first attachment section and out of the lumen through the lead-out opening, wherein the lead-out opening is an elongate opening configured to receive the guidewire, wherein the lead-out opening is at least partially disposed within the rigid section of the sidewall proximal to the flexible section;
• wherein the second attachment section is coupled to an outlet unit, the outlet unit comprising an outlet opening, and
• wherein each individual stiffening recess of the plurality of stiffening recesses comprises a helical slot extending around the structural section from a first end of the helical slot to a second end of the helical slot, such that the plurality of stiffening recesses are discontinuous;
• and
• heat treating the formed main body so as to emboss a predetermined shape on the main body.