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An inflow conduit system including an inflow conduit having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body portion extending therebetween, and an apical cuff assembly having a sleeve portion and a ring portion. When in use, the apical cuff assembly is disposed over the inflow conduit such that a predeter

An inflow conduit system including an inflow conduit having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body portion extending therebetween, and an apical cuff assembly having a sleeve portion and a ring portion. When in use, the apical cuff assembly is disposed over the inflow conduit such that a predetermined tip length of the body portion is defined between the distal end of the inflow conduit and the ring portion, the predetermined tip length being determinable based upon a position of the sleeve portion relative to the inflow conduit.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An inflow conduit system comprising: an inflow conduit comprising a distal end for insertion into the heart of a patient, a proximal end, and a body portion extending therebetween; an apical cuff assembly comprising a cylindrical sleeve portion and a ring portion extending ra

What is claimed is: 1. An inflow conduit system comprising: an inflow conduit comprising a distal end for insertion into the heart of a patient, a proximal end, and a body portion extending therebetween; an apical cuff assembly comprising a cylindrical sleeve portion and a ring portion extending radially outwardly from a terminal end of the sleeve portion; wherein when in use said apical cuff assembly is disposed over said inflow conduit such that said ring portion abuts an exterior surface of a heart wall, said distal end of the inflow conduit extends interior to the heart wall, and a predetermined tip length of said body portion is defined between said distal end and said ring portion, said predetermined tip length being determinable based upon a position of said sleeve portion relative to said proximal end of said inflow conduit. 2. The inflow conduit system of claim 1, wherein said body portion includes a plurality of indicators and said predetermined tip length is determinable based upon the position of said sleeve portion relative to said plurality of indicators. 3. The inflow conduit system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of indicators include a plurality of lines formed on said body portion at predetermined intervals. 4. The inflow conduit system of claim 3, wherein at least some of said plurality of lines are numbered to represent a unit of measurement. 5. The inflow conduit system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of lines are scored or etched into said body portion. 6. The inflow conduit system of claim 1, wherein said body portion is formed of titanium. 7. The inflow conduit system of claim 1, wherein said sleeve portion has a first end and a second end, said ring portion being connected to said sleeve portion at one of said first and second ends. 8. The inflow conduit system of claim 7, wherein said first end comprises a flange portion and said ring portion is connected to said flange portion. 9. The inflow conduit system of claim 8, wherein said flange portion and said ring portion are connected by stitching. 10. The inflow conduit system of claim 8, wherein a proximal surface of said flange portion engages a distal surface of said ring portion. 11. The inflow conduit system of claim 7, wherein said ring portion includes an inner ring and a surrounding cloth wrap. 12. The inflow conduit system of claim 11, wherein said inner ring is formed from silicone rubber. 13. The inflow conduit system of claim 12, wherein said cloth wrap is polyester. 14. The inflow conduit system of claim 7, wherein said sleeve portion is polyester. 15. The inflow conduit system of claim 7, wherein said sleeve portion includes at least one lace extending circumferentially therearound. 16. The inflow conduit system of claim 15, wherein said body portion includes at least one locking mechanism such that when said at least one lace is drawn tight around said inflow conduit, translational movement of said apical cuff assembly is substantially prevented by said at least one locking mechanism. 17. The inflow conduit system of claim 16, wherein said at least one locking mechanism comprises a protuberance defining a diameter greater than a diameter of said inflow conduit. 18. A method for adjusting the tip length of an inflow conduit when inserted into the heart of a patient, said method comprising: positioning an apical cuff assembly over the inflow conduit to a desired position such that a predetermined tip length of the inflow conduit extends interior to the heart wall of the patient; verifying insertion of the predetermined tip length based upon the position of the apical cuff assembly relative to the inflow conduit; wherein the predetermined tip length is adjustable by repositioning the apical cuff assembly relative to the inflow conduit. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the apical cuff assembly includes a sleeve portion and a ring portion and said determining step further comprises determining the predetermined tip length based upon the position of the sleeve portion relative to the inflow conduit. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the inflow conduit includes a plurality of indicators and said determining step further comprises determining the predetermined tip length based upon the position of the sleeve portion relative to the plurality of indicators. 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising suturing the ring portion of the apical cuff assembly to heart tissue of the patient.