Abstract: An apparatus and method to segregate particles suspended in a fluid with an obstacle field in the flow path of the fluid. The particles may be dispersed after an interaction with obstacles in the obstacle field. The obstacle-particle interactions may result in an asymmetrical particle shift or bump in which the particles are differentially dispersed relative to the obstacle and the fluid flow. Individual obstacles having properties that are asymmetrical are arranged creating asymmetrical gaps between adjacent pairs of obstacles to separate particles flowing through the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method disperse particles suspended in a fluid with an obstacle field in the flow path of the fluid. The particles may be dispersed after an interaction with obstacles in the obstacle field. The obstacle-particle interactions may result in an asymmetrical particle shift in which the particles are dispersed in an asymmetrical manner relative to the obstacle and the fluid flow. Obstacles are arranged to separate particles flowing through the device based on individual obstacles having properties that are asymmetrical and are oriented and aligned for the separation.

Abstract: A cutting edge of a punch includes side segments and a central segment disposed between the side segments. When the punch head slides into a hollow blade, the central segment of the cutting edge meets the punch head before the side segments meet the punch head. The central segment starts cutting first, which can help avoid a dog-bone shaped hole when the punch is used on a blood vessel, such as the aorta.

Abstract: A coupling system includes an applicator tool and an attachment ring mounted on the applicator tool. Clips are contained within the applicator tool and are deployed through the attachment ring in order to anchor the attachment ring to biological tissue. When deployed, tips of the clips follow a curved trajectory through an annular cuff of the attachment ring and through the underlying tissue. The tips loop back out of the tissue and to a location where they are later trapped or clamped by the attachment ring. While the tips are trapped or clamped, the applicator tool cinches the clips by pulling rear segments of the clips. Thereafter, the applicator tool disconnects from the attachment ring which remains anchored to the tissue and serves as a coupling for a cannula. The cannula can have movable lock members that secure it to the attachment ring.

Abstract: A blood pump includes a housing and a rotor within the housing configured to rotate along an axis. The rotor may include a hub, the hub having regions with blades and regions without blades. The regions without blades may have a constant outer diameter and may extend along at least one fourth the length of the hub. The regions with blades may have an increasing outer diameter. Blades may be disposed on a downstream end region of the hub and extend downstream of the hub. Blades may begin approximately halfway along the axial length of a motor stator located about a hub and extend downstream of the motor stator. Blades may have portions that produce axial fluid flow and radial fluid flow with improved flow characteristics.

Abstract: This document relates to continuity monitoring of electrical conductors. For example, materials and methods for continuity monitoring of conductors for use providing power to a blood pump (e.g., an assist device) are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method disperse particles suspended in a fluid with an obstacle field in the flow path of the fluid. The particles may be dispersed after an interaction with obstacles in the obstacle field. The obstacle-particle interactions may result in an asymmetrical particle shift in which the particles are dispersed in an asymmetrical manner relative to the obstacle and the fluid flow. Obstacles are arranged to separate particles flowing through the device based on individual obstacles having properties that are asymmetrical and are oriented and aligned for the separation.

Abstract: A blood pump includes a hub having an axis of rotation and a generally cylindrical shape. The hub has an upstream end region, a central region, and a downstream end region, and the hub includes a magnetic material. Blades that are disposed on the downstream end region of the hub extend downstream of the hub.

Abstract: An apparatus and method disperse particles suspended in a fluid with an obstacle field in the flow path of the fluid. The particles may be dispersed after an interaction with obstacles in the obstacle field. The obstacle-particle interactions may result in an asymmetrical particle shift in which the particles are dispersed in an asymmetrical manner relative to the obstacle and the fluid flow. Obstacles are arranged to separate particles flowing through the device based on individual obstacles having properties that are asymmetrical and are oriented and aligned for the separation.

Abstract: A cutting edge of a punch includes side segments and a central segment disposed between the side segments. When the punch head slides into a hollow blade, the central segment of the cutting edge meets the punch head before the side segments meet the punch head. The central segment starts cutting first, which can help avoid a dog-bone shaped hole when the punch is used on a blood vessel, such as the aorta.

Abstract: A coring knife can be used to make a circular incision. The coring knife can include an abutment that can be inserted into heart tissue. The circular incision is made by pressing the circular cutting edge of the coring knife against the abutment.

Abstract: A percutaneous cable is attached to a mechanical cardiac pump and is passed through the skin. An anchor can be attached to the cable and implanted below the skin surface to stabilize the cable against movement. The anchor can include a bundle of ultrafine filaments.

Abstract: A coupling system includes an applicator tool and an attachment ring mounted on the applicator tool. Clips are contained within the applicator tool and are deployed through the attachment ring in order to anchor the attachment ring to biological tissue. When deployed, tips of the clips follow a curved trajectory through an annular cuff of the attachment ring and through the underlying tissue. The tips loop back out of the tissue and to a location where they are later trapped or clamped by the attachment ring. While the tips are trapped or clamped, the applicator tool cinches the clips by pulling rear segments of the clips. Thereafter, the applicator tool disconnects from the attachment ring which remains anchored to the tissue and serves as a coupling for a cannula. The cannula can have movable lock members that secure it to the attachment ring.

Abstract: A percutaneous cable is attached to a mechanical cardiac pump and is passed through the skin. Sutures can be used to stabilize the cable against movement to prevent disturbing tissue surrounding cable and thereby reduce the incidence of infection. A funnel-shaped tubular device can be used where the cable exits the skin to allow the cable to flex below or near the skin surface as may be desired to accommodate physical activity of a patient. An anchor can be attached to the cable and implanted below the skin surface to stabilize the cable against movement. The anchor can include any one or a combination of a flat mesh material, a bundle of ultrafine filaments, and a barbed filament.

Abstract: A coupling system includes an applicator tool and an attachment ring mounted on the applicator tool. Clips are contained within the applicator tool and are deployed through the attachment ring in order to anchor the attachment ring to biological tissue. When deployed, tips of the clips follow a curved trajectory through an annular cuff of the attachment ring and through the underlying tissue. The tips loop back out of the tissue and to a location where they are later trapped or clamped by the attachment ring. While the tips are trapped or clamped, the applicator tool cinches the clips by pulling rear segments of the clips. Thereafter, the applicator tool disconnects from the attachment ring which remains anchored to the tissue and serves as a coupling for a cannula. The cannula can have movable lock members that secure it to the attachment ring.

Abstract: Blood pump systems including a continuous flow blood pump and methods for controlling a continuous flow blood pump operate the blood pump to simulate target pressure-flow characteristics that are different from native pressure-flow characteristics of the blood pump. A method for controlling a continuous flow blood pump driven by a motor includes operating the motor at a first rotational rate. A first flow rate of the continuous flow blood pump driven at the first rotational rate is measured and/or estimated. The first flow rate is used to determine a second rotational rate based on target pump characteristic data corresponding to target pressure-flow characteristics for the continuous flow blood pump different from pressure-flow characteristics of the continuous flow blood pump when driven by the motor at a constant rotational speed. The second rotational rate is different from the first rotational rate. The motor is then operated at the second rotational rate.

Abstract: This document relates to continuity monitoring of electrical conductors. For example, materials and methods for continuity monitoring of conductors for use providing power to a blood pump (e.g., an assist device) are provided.

Abstract: A blood pump includes a hub having an axis of rotation and a generally cylindrical shape. The hub has an upstream end region, a central region, and a downstream end region, and the hub includes a magnetic material. Blades that are disposed on the downstream end region of the hub extend downstream of the hub.

Abstract: A ventricular assist system and a method of implanting the system are disclosed. The system can have a pump, an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, attachment ring, ring clamp, and a valvular structure. The attachment ring can be attached to the apex of the heart. The valvular structure can have a flexible, one-way valve in a rigid housing. The inflow conduit can be passed through the valvular structure and the attachment ring into a beating heart with minimal loss of blood. Devices such as slitting tool, coring knife, and/or C-clamp and use of the devices can form part of the system and method for implanting the ventricular assist device.

Abstract: A blood pump includes a hub having an axis of rotation and a generally cylindrical shape. The hub has an upstream end region, a central region, and a downstream end region, and the hub includes a magnetic material. Blades that are disposed on the downstream end region of the hub extend downstream of the hub.