Abstract: A system for cleaning an implanted blood pump, comprising: an inflow catheter having an expandable inflow member positioned about the periphery thereof; an inflow tube coupled with the inflow catheter; a valve assembly coupled to the inflow tube; an outflow tube coupled to the valve assembly; and an outflow catheter having an expandable outflow member positioned about the periphery thereof, the outflow catheter being coupled to the outflow tube. In use, the inflow tube and outflow tube extend through the skin of a human body, the inflow catheter and outflow catheter are positioned within the human body, and the valve assembly is positioned outside the human body.

Abstract: A blood pump consisting of an inflow cannula, a stator fixed to the pump housing, a flow straightener, an impeller, and a diffuser. The pump may include a flow straightener assembly consisting of the flow straightener body and front shaft. The pump may include an impeller assembly with a bearing on the front hub section. The pump may have a body contour which is shaped such that the rear section of the flow straightener body blends into the inserted shaft and there is no axial gap between the end of the flow straightener other than the ends of the blades and the front hub of the impeller.

Abstract: A physiologic control method and system for an implantable blood pump includes operating the pump at a predetermined speed and monitoring the patient's diastolic pump flow rate. The predetermined speed is varied in response to the diastolic pump flow rate. The pump speed may further be adjusted in response to the patient's heart rate. The speed may be increased and decreased in response to corresponding changes in the diastolic pump flow rate, and increased in response to an increase in heart rate.

Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 including a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530 operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.

Abstract: A blood pump system includes a blood pump having a motor with a rotor and a stator. The stator has a plurality of stator windings situated therein. A motor controller is coupled to the motor, and a processor has inputs coupled to the motor controller for receiving a time continuous signal from the pump. The processor is programmed to transform the time continuous signal to the frequency domain, and control the pump and detect excess suction in response to the time continuous signal in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 including a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.

Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller module for controlling a pump, such as an implantable blood pump. A remote monitor is adapted to communicate with the controller module via a wireless communications medium, such as a low-power radio s frequency link. The remote monitor provides a user interface similar or identical to the controller module, providing a user the ability to remotely monitor the pump's performance and to respond to alarms.

Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 comprising a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530 operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.

Abstract: A blood pump system includes a blood pump having a motor with a rotor and a stator. The stator has a plurality of stator windings situated therein. A motor controller is coupled to the motor, and a processor has inputs coupled to the motor controller for receiving a time continuous signal from the pump. The processor is programmed to transform the time continuous signal to the frequency domain, and control the pump and detect excess suction in response to the time continuous signal in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A pump system includes an implantable pump including a motor having a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a plurality of stator windings, and a motor controller is coupled to the motor to energize the windings so as cause the rotor to turn. A time-based system parameter of the pump is sampled and the system parameter is analyzed to calculate a suction probability index that provides an indication of the imminence of ventricle collapse.

Abstract: A blood pump system includes a blood pump having a motor with a rotor and a stator. The stator has a plurality of stator windings situated therein. A motor controller is coupled to the motor, and a processor has inputs coupled to the motor controller for receiving a time continuous signal from the pump. The processor is programmed to transform the time continuous signal to the frequency domain, and control the pump and detect excess suction in response to the time continuous signal in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A controller module for an implantable pump system which has a pump motor includes a processor, a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor and adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed. The motor controller outputs digital representations of the pump motor operating parameters to the processor. A first memory device is coupled to the processor for storing the digital signals representing the pump motor operating parameters. The controller module further includes a user interface. The controller module may be coupled to a data acquisition system, which provides power and exchanges data with the controller module. The controller module may alternately be coupled to a home support system which provides power for the controller module and storage for system components.

Abstract: A controller module for an implantable pump system which has a pump motor includes a processor, a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor and adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed. The motor controller outputs digital representations of the pump motor operating parameters to the processor. A first memory device is coupled to the processor for storing the digital signals representing the pump motor operating parameters. The controller module further includes a user interface. The controller module may be coupled to a data acquisition system, which provides power and exchanges data with the controller module. The controller module may alternately be coupled to a home support system which provides power for the controller module and storage for system components.

Abstract: A controller module for an implantable pump system which has a pump motor includes a processor, a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor and adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed. The motor controller outputs digital representations of the pump motor operating parameters to the processor. A first memory device is coupled to the processor for storing the digital signals representing the pump motor operating parameters. The controller module further includes a user interface. The controller module may be coupled to a data acquisition system, which provides power and exchanges data with the controller module. The controller module may alternately be coupled to a home support system which provides power for the controller module and storage for system components.

Abstract: A controller module for an implantable pump system which has a pump motor includes a processor, a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor and adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed. The motor controller outputs digital representations of the pump motor operating parameters to the processor. A first memory device is coupled to the processor for storing the digital signals representing the pump motor operating parameters. The controller module further includes a user interface. The controller module may be coupled to a data acquisition system, which provides power and exchanges data with the controller module. The controller module may alternately be coupled to a home support system which provides power for the controller module and storage for system components.

Abstract: A controller module for an implantable pump system which has a pump motor includes a processor, a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor and adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed. The motor controller outputs digital representations of the pump motor operating parameters to the processor. A first memory device is coupled to the processor for storing the digital signals representing the pump motor operating parameters. The controller module further includes a user interface. The controller module may be coupled to a data acquisition system, which provides power and exchanges data with the controller module. The controller module may alternately be coupled to a home support system which provides power for the controller module and storage for system components.

Abstract: A method of forming field oxide during the manufacture of a semiconductor device comprises the steps of providing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of recesses or trenches therein. A layer of texturized polycrystalline silicon is formed within the recesses, which is subsequently oxidized to form field oxide. The instant method reduces stress imparted to the die as the texturized polycrystalline silicon has voids or holes which absorb the expanding volume as the silicon is oxidized to form field oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulsatile flow system and method. The pulsatile flow system includes a reservoir, a pressure riser and a first fluid passage connected between the reservoir and the pressure riser. The system further includes a device adapted to expel fluid from the reservoir through the first fluid passage to the pressure riser. A second fluid passage is connected between the pressure riser and the reservoir, and is adapted to allow fluid to flow unidirectionally therethrough, from the pressure riser to the reservoir. The pulsatile flow system may be adapted to provide pulsatile fluid flow through a medical device, such as a ventricle assist device or mechanical heart valve, to replicate a heart's pumping action for testing the device.

Abstract: A blood pump that comprises a pump housing having a blood flow path therethrough, a blood inlet, and a blood outlet; a stator mounted to the pump housing, the stator having a stator field winding for producing a stator magnetic field; a flow straightener located within the pump housing, and comprising a flow straightener hub and at least one flow straightener blade attached to the flow straightener hub; a rotor mounted within the pump housing for rotation in response to the stator magnetic field, the rotor comprising an inducer and an impeller; the inducer being located downstream of the flow straightener, and comprising an inducer hub and at least one inducer blade attached to the inducer hub; the impeller being located downstream of the inducer, and comprising an impeller hub and at least one impeller blade attached to the impeller hub; and preferably also comprising a diffuser downstream of the impeller, the diffuser comprising a diffuser hub and at least one diffuser blade.