Magnetic Ventricular Connector
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas Systems
InventorsThomas D. Pate, Jeffrey R. Gohean, Raul G. Longoria, Richard W. Smalling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic coupling for connecting a cannula to the apex of a ventricle comprising a first member having a first orifice, a first magnetic material attached to the first member, a means for attaching a cannula to the first member, a second member having a second orifice, a second magnetic material attached to the second member, a means for attaching the second member to a ventricle, so that when the first magnet is placed in proximity to the second magnet the first member and second member are held substantially concentric by magnetic force to allow for the communication of fluid between the first and second orifices.
Claims20
A magnetic connector for attachment to a heart for passing blood into or from the heart, the magnetic connector comprising:
- a first member having a first orifice;
- a second member having a second orifice, the second orifice receiving a portion of the first member therein;
- a first magnetic material attached to the first member;
- a second magnetic material attached to the second member, such that the first member is attracted to the second member;
- and
- a flexible attachment ring secured to the second member for attaching the second member to the heart.
A magnetic connector, comprising:
- a hollow tube having a first outer diameter and a raised circumferential abutment having a second outward diameter;
- a first member with a first orifice greater than the outer diameter of the hollow tube but less than the diameter of the raised circumferential abutment;
- a first magnetic material attached to the first member;
- a second member having a second orifice;
- a second magnetic material attached to the second member;
- and
- an attachment member for attaching second member to a heart.
A method of attracting a connector to a heart, the method comprising:
- providing a first member having a first orifice;
- providing a second member having a second orifice;
- attaching a first magnetic material to one of the first member and the second member;
- passing a portion of the first member through the second orifice in the second member;
- attaching a second magnetic material to the other of the first member and the second member, such that the first member is attracted to the second member;
- and
- securing a flexible attachment ring to the second member for attaching the second member to the heart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.