Patent ID: 8882744

Claim:
An implantable cardiac assist apparatus comprising: an implantable pump having a cylindrical outlet port with a groove defining a lip; an outflow conduit for conveying blood from the pump; and a connector fixed to one end of the outflow conduit, wherein the connector is comprised of: a main sleeve joined to the outflow conduit and configured to mate with the outlet port, the main sleeve having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of prongs extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein each prong has a distal end with a claw, and wherein each prong is bendable so that its respective claw deflects over the lip to be captured in the groove when the main sleeve is advanced onto the outlet port; and a lock nut movable between a retracted position and a locking position; wherein the connector is movably retained on the outlet port by the plurality of prongs when the claws are positioned in the groove and the lock nut is in the retracted position, and is rigidly retained on the outlet port to form a seal between surfaces of the outlet port and surfaces of the main sleeve when the lock nut is advanced to the locking position, wherein the plurality of prongs are further comprised of a base ring that is retained on the main sleeve, wherein the outlet port comprises a plurality of threads on an outer circumference for receiving the lock nut, wherein the groove is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axial grooves recessed into the plurality of threads, wherein each axial groove includes at least one respective lip defined by a circumferential narrowing of the respective axial groove, wherein each axial groove receives at least one respective prong, wherein the main sleeve is rotatable within the base ring when the lock nut is in the retracted position, and wherein the base ring is clamped into a fixed position when the lock nut is in the locking position.