Device for aortic root and valve visualization and aortic valve leakage measurement

A device for simultaneous intraoperative leak testing and visualisation of a heart valve seat or functioning during a valve-sparing aortic root replacement, aortic valve repair, supracoronary ascending aortic replacement, pulmonary autograft, or any other operation leading to valve incompetence, the device comprising:

• an end cap configured to engage with and to sealingly close an opening of a tubular vascular graft or native aorta, the end cap comprising
• an interior,
• an exterior,
• a backing portion,
• a connector portion arranged adjacent to the backing portion,
• a view port arranged in the backing portion and protruding along a central axis from the backing portion through at least a part of the connector portion, and
• at least one fluid conduit element adapted to provide fluid communication between the interior and the exterior,
• the connector portion comprising a body with opposing proximal and distal ends, the distal end dimensioned for placement inside of the opening of the tubular vascular graft,
• a first fastening element provided on an outer circumference of at least the distal end of the body of the connector portion, the first fastening element comprising an external thread,
• wherein the external thread comprises a thread pitch, the thread pitch sized such that the first fastening element can fittingly engage with the tubular vascular graft,
• wherein the external thread pitch is configured to engage with a second fastening element comprising a through hole with an inner circumference, the inner circumference comprising an internal thread, the second fastening element configured to be rotated onto the first fastening element for fitting engagement therewith, and
• wherein the external thread of the first fastening element is configured to sealingly secure the graft between the first and second fastening element by less than one rotation of the second fastening element around the outer circumference, and
• whereby the fitting engagement provides a fluid and pressure tight seal around the tubular vascular graft.