Patent 7942805 was granted and assigned to Heartware (company) on May, 2011 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A plug which may be positioned in place of a Ventricular Assist Device (“VAD”) within a VAD connector mounted to the heart. The VAD connector may have at least one VAD-engaging feature and may define an opening. The plug may have a body adapted to fill the opening of the VAD connector and may engage the VAD connector. The plug may be installed in place of a VAD when the heart heals, and then removed and replaced by a VAD if the patient's condition deteriorates.