Abstract: A blood flow conduit includes a first conduit portion defining a first portion of a lumen; and a second conduit portion defining a second portion of a lumen. At least one of the first or second conduit portions may include a tip portion and the other of the first or second conduit portions may include an enlarged area.

Abstract: Blood pump assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating blood pump assemblies are provided. The blood pump assembly includes a pump and an impeller blade rotatably coupled to the pump. The blood pump assembly also includes a pump housing component sized for passage through a body lumen and coupled to the pump. The pump housing component includes a peripheral wall extending about a rotation axis of the impeller blade. The peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral wall surface and an outer peripheral wall surface. The peripheral wall also includes one or more blood exhaust apertures. Each blood exhaust aperture in the one or more blood exhaust apertures is defined by an inner aperture edge and an outer aperture edge. Each inner aperture edge is chamfered between the inner peripheral wall surface and the outer peripheral wall surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: an intracardiac pump device having a path for a guidewire extending through the pump device from a first opening to a second opening; and a lumen which extends from a first end located outside of the pump device, into the pump device through the first opening in the pump device, along the path for the guidewire, out of the pump device through the second opening, and to a second end located outside of the pump device. The lumen is configured to receive the guidewire such that when the guidewire passes through the lumen from the first end to the second end, the guidewire is positioned along the path.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for attaching a counter pulsation device (CPD) to a blood vessel in a human or animal subject, the apparatus including: an interposition graft having a first end configured to be attached to the blood vessel, a second end, and an interior passage providing fluid connection between the first end and the second end; and a pump graft having first end attached to the second end of the interposition graft, a second end configured to be attached to the CPD, and an interior passage providing fluid connection between the first end and the second end In some embodiments, the interior passage of the interposition graft includes a rough surface configured to promote biological growth on the surface, and the interior passage of the pump graft includes a smooth surface configured to inhibit biological growth on the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling devices such as a ventricular assist device to vascular tissues, such as a heart. In one version, a method is provided for attaching a device to vascular tissue for fluid flow. The device includes a cannula coupled to a cuff, and the method includes coupling the cuff to the vascular tissue, penetrating the vascular tissue by inserting a penetration device through the cannula, and inserting a first end of the cannula through the cuff and into the vascular tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an input connector configured for sterile connection to a fluid source, a first tube, a second, and a third tube. The first tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end comprising an input connector configured for sterile attachment to a fluid source. The input connector provides fluid communication between the first tube and the source. The second and third tubes are each in fluid communication with the first tube. The second and third tubes each extend from a proximal end to a distal end comprising an output connector configured for sterile connection to separate fluid input ports of a catheter based device.

Abstract: Improved devices and methods for tracking power consumption and available charge in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system are provided. The method includes measuring the available charge in a battery and the current rate of power consumption in an implanted medical device, determining the remaining time before the charge level of the battery reaches a predetermined threshold level, and communicating the remaining time to a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the circulation of blood using a purge-free miniature pump. In one embodiment, a pump is provided that may comprise a housing including a rotor and a stator within a drive unit. In this embodiment, the pump may establish a primary blood flow through the space between the drive unit and the housing and a secondary blood flow between the rotor and stator. In another embodiment, a method is provided for introducing the pump into the body and circulating blood using the pump.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides medical devices, systems and methods and in particular to devices and methods useful for anchoring graft materials to bodily structures.

Abstract: A prosthetic apparatus is disclosed including: a tubular stent disposed about a longitudinal axis and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the stent defining a tubular passage between the ends. The tubular stent has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion located between the proximal and distal portions. The proximal and distal portions each comprise a mesh of support struts forming at least one ring of open elements disposed about the longitudinal axis. The middle portion features open regions which reduce or eliminate blockage of sensitive anatomical features at an implantation site.

Abstract: A transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system is provided having a plurality of secondary coils adapted for disposition in a patient, at least one primary coil configured to transmit transcutaneous energy, and a controller adapted for disposition in a patient. The controller includes circuitry to isolate the secondary coils from each other and direct electric current from at least one of the secondary coils to a charge storage device and/or implantable medical device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling power output from an external power source in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system are provided to prevent inadvertent energy transfer when no secondary coil is present. The system operates by transmitting power transcutaneously from an external primary coil and determining whether a response from a secondary coil implanted within a patient is detected. If no response is detected, the power output of the primary coil is decreased. The decrease in power output can be accomplished by operating the primary coil at a lower average power level, which can include variations in power level, duty cycle, etc. The system can also be configured to periodically repeat the process in order to continue searching for a coupled secondary coil.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a cannula having a shape closely matched to the anatomy of the right ventricle of the human heart, where the cannula has an outflow port configured to be located proximal the pulmonary artery and an inflow port located proximal the inferior vena cava. In some embodiments, the cannula is a close fit to the anatomy of at least 90%, 95%, or more of the population.

Abstract: An implantable transcutaneous energy transfer device secondary coil module includes a housing, a secondary coil, power conditioning circuitry, and a low voltage, high power connector. The transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil is disposed outside the housing and is configured to receive a time-varying magnetic field provided by a transcutaneous energy transfer primary coil, and to convert the time-varying magnetic field into a high voltage, alternating current electric signal within the coil. The power conditioning circuitry is mounted within the housing and is electrically coupled to the secondary coil. The power conditioning circuitry including electronics for converting the high voltage, alternating current electric signal from the secondary coil into a high power, low voltage direct current electric signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: an intracardiac pump device having a path for a guidewire extending through the pump device from a first opening to a second opening; and a lumen which extends from a first end located outside of the pump device, into the pump device through the first opening in the pump device, along the path for the guidewire, out of the pump device through the second opening, and to a second end located outside of the pump device. The lumen is configured to receive the guidewire such that when the guidewire passes through the lumen from the first end to the second end, the guidewire is positioned along the path.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of applying a radiopaque marker to a cannula for use with an intracardiac pump, the method including: obtaining a band of radiopaque polymer material; placing the band around an outer diameter of the cannula, the cannula including a flexible tubular wall formed around and supported by a coil of shape memory material; placing a heat shrink tube around the band and the cannula; heating the band and the polymer tube to: soften the band, cause the heat shrink tube to shrink and apply force on the softened band towards the cannula, and cause the softened band to be welded to the cannula to form a radiopaque marker in a portion of the tubular wall; and removing the heat shrink tube.

Abstract: An improved alarm device for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system is provided. The device includes a processor configured to monitor at least one function of an implanted cardiac assist device and to generate an internal vibratory alarm.

Abstract: At least one aspect is directed to a totally artificial heart, and at least another aspect is directed to a method of controlling blood flow in a patient. The totally artificial heart may include a first rotary pump having an input to receive blood and an output to provide blood to a patient's lungs, a second rotary pump having an input to receive blood and an output to provide blood to the patient's body, a first sensor associated with the first rotary pump, a second sensor associated with the second rotary pump, and a control system coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, the first rotary pump and the second rotary pump and configured to control characteristics of the first rotary pump and the second rotary pump based on signals received from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor such that an average flow of blood through the second rotary pump is greater than an average flow of blood through the first rotary pump.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for communicating via radio frequency (RF) in transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) systems is provided. In particular, an improved implantable coil for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system is provided having an integrated radio frequency (RF) antenna. Further, a method of communicating between an external device and an implanted device having a plurality of secondary coils with integrated RF antennas is also provided.

Abstract: An implantable transcutaneous energy transfer device secondary coil module includes a housing, a secondary coil, power conditioning circuitry, and a low voltage, high power connector. The transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil is disposed outside the housing and is configured to receive a time-varying magnetic field provided by a transcutaneous energy transfer primary coil, and to convert the time-varying magnetic field into a high voltage, alternating current electric signal within the coil. The power conditioning circuitry is mounted within the housing and is electrically coupled to the secondary coil. The power conditioning circuitry including electronics for converting the high voltage, alternating current electric signal from the secondary coil into a high power, low voltage direct current electric signal.