Abstract: A method for synchronizing operation of a heart assist pump device to a patient's cardiac cycle includes obtaining a signal from a motor of a heart assist pump device and filtering the signal to remove noise. The method also includes determining a speed synchronization start point at which time the motor of the heart assist pump device will begin a change in speed of operation based on the filtered signal. The method further includes modulating a speed of the motor of the heart assist pump device to a target speed at the speed synchronization start point, thereby synchronizing the change in speed of operation with a patient's cardiac cycle.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for supplying power to an implantable blood pump are provided. A system includes a base module and a plurality of energy storage devices. A first energy storage device is operatively coupled to the base module. A second energy storage device is operatively coupled to the first modular energy storage device. The energy storage devices are mechanically coupled in series, electrically coupled in parallel, and configured to provide redundant sources of power to drive an implantable blood pump.

Abstract: A method for modeling a wireless power transfer system including stacked plate resonators is provided. The method includes generating, using a computing device, a plurality of different sets of design parameters for a wireless power transfer system including a transmit resonator and a receive resonator, each of the transmit resonator and the receive resonator including a magnetic core having a post, and a plurality of alternating dielectric layers and conductive layers stacked around the post. The method further includes selecting, using the computing device, one set of the plurality of generated sets of design parameters, generating, using the computing device, an initial population of wireless power transfer systems based on the selected set, evaluating, using the computing device, each wireless power transfer system in the initial population, and generating, using the computing device, a subsequent population of wireless power transfer systems based on the evaluating.

Abstract: A blood pump system includes a first implantable housing, an implantable blood pump independent from the first implantable housing, and a percutaneous extension. The first implantable housing includes a rechargeable power storage device. The implantable blood pump supplements the pumping function of a heart. The rechargeable power storage device supplies electrical power to the implantable blood pump. The percutaneous extension is coupled to the rechargeable power storage device and adapted to traverse the skin. The percutaneous extension is configured to releasably connect to an external power supply adapted to provide power for recharging or supplementing the rechargeable power storage device to power the implantable blood pump.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, modules, and methods for connecting components of medical devices employ connector cables with electrical conductors. A method of supplying electrical power to a medical device includes transmitting electrical power from a battery module to a base module through a connector cable. The connector cable includes a connector cable output connector removably coupled with an input connector of the base module. The connector cable output connector includes at least four connectors configured for transferring electrical power. Data is transmitted between the battery module and the base module through the connector cable. Electrical power is transmitted from the base module to the medical device.

Abstract: A catheter pump system is disclosed. The catheter pump system can include a shaft assembly and an impeller coupled with a distal portion of the shaft assembly. The catheter pump system can include a motor assembly, the motor assembly comprising a chamber and a shaft-driving portion disposed in the chamber. The shaft-driving portion can be configured to impart rotation to the impeller through the shaft assembly. The chamber can be filled with a gas that at least partially surrounds the shaft-driving portion. A fluid pathway can convey fluid proximally during operation of the catheter pump system. A bypass pathway can be in fluid communication with the fluid pathway, the bypass pathway configured to direct at least a portion of the fluid to bypass the chamber.

Abstract: Materials and methods related to blood pump systems are described. These can be used in patients to, for example, monitor arterial pressure, measure blood flow, maintain left ventricular pressure within a particular range, avoid left ventricular collapse, prevent fusion of the aortic valve in a subject having a blood pump, and provide a means to wean a patient from a blood pump.

Abstract: Systems and method for powering an implanted blood pump are disclosed herein. The system can be a mechanical circulatory support system. The mechanical circulatory support system can include an implantable blood pump. The implantable blood pump includes a DC powered pump control unit that can control the blood pump according to one or several stored instructions. The implantable blood pump includes a rectifier electrically connected to the pump control unit. The implantable rectifier can convert the AC to DC for powering the pump control unit. The system can include an external controller electrically connected to the rectifier. The external controller can provide AC electrical power to the implantable blood pump.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system includes a ventricular assist device (VAD) and a controller. The VAD is attachable to a heart of a patient to pump blood from a ventricle of the heart into a blood vessel of the patient. The VAD includes an impeller, a motor stator operable to rotate the impeller, and an accelerometer generating an accelerometer output indicative of accelerations of the VAD. The controller is configured to process the accelerometer output to generate patient monitoring data for the patient.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improved cooling of an implantable blood pump employ a thermal conductor to conduct heat to blood flowing through the blood pump. A method includes drawing a flow of blood into a blood pump, passing the flow of blood through the blood pump such that heat flow is conducted to the flow of blood via the thermal conductor, and outputting the flow of blood from the blood pump.

Abstract: A catheter pump includes a cannula having an inlet, an outlet, and a blood flow channel extending between the inlet and the outlet along a longitudinal axis. At least one impeller blade is operable to convey blood through the blood flow channel between the inlet to the outlet, wherein the at least one impeller blade is axially movable relative the cannula in a first direction toward the inlet and in a second direction away from the inlet.

Abstract: A catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly that comprises a drive shaft and an impeller coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft. A driven assembly can be coupled to a proximal end of the drive shaft within a driven assembly housing. The catheter pump can also include a drive system that comprises a motor and a drive magnet coupled to an output shaft of the motor. The drive system can include a drive assembly housing having at least one magnet therein. Further, a securement device can be configured to prevent disengagement of the driven assembly housing from the drive assembly housing during operation of the pump.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to heart treatment systems. In some aspects, methods and systems are provided for facilitating communication between implanted devices. For example, an implantable cardiac rhythm management device may be configured to communicate with an implantable blood pump. The implantable cardiac rhythm management device may deliver heart stimulation rate information in addition to information associated with any detected abnormalities in heart function. In response, the pump may be configured to adjust pumping by the pump to better accommodate a patient's particular needs.

Abstract: A catheter pump includes a cannula and an impeller system. The cannula has an inlet zone with a first maximum outer diameter, an outlet zone with a second maximum outer diameter and a blood flow channel extending between the inlet zone and the outlet zone. The first maximum outer diameter is greater than the second maximum outer diameter, and the impeller system has a rotatable impeller body operable to convey blood from the inlet zone to the outlet zone. The impeller body may be axially spaced from the cannula in a separated position.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and related modules for connecting components of medical devices employ connector cables with electrical conductors and optical fibers. A connector assembly for coupling a battery module with a medical system including an implanted or worn medical device includes an input connector and an output connector. The input connector includes metal contact plates, has no moving parts, and is sealed to prevent water or dust ingression into the housing. The output connector includes metal pins to electrically couple to the metal plates of the input connector, a connector cable including electrical conductors coupled to the metal pins configured to transmit electrical power and an optical fiber configured to transmit data, and a latching mechanism disposed at an end of the output connector configured to physically attach the output connector to the housing. The cable body has a substantially flat cross-section.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump system is disclosed herein. The implantable blood pump system includes an implantable blood pump, a controller coupled to the blood pump, a connector receptacle, and a connector insert. The connector receptacle can include a plurality of contacts, and a following surface. The connector insert can be received within the connector receptacle to couple a plurality of insert contacts with the plurality of contacts of the connector receptacle. The connector insert can include walls defining a follower receptacle that can receive a portion of the following surface when the connector insert is in a desired alignment with respect to the connector receptacle, and a cam surface that can engage with the following surface to bias the connector insert to the desired alignment with respect to the connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle.

Abstract: Blood pump systems configured for weaning a patient the blood pump system are described. A blood pump system includes an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, an outflow conduit pressure sensor, and a controller. The controller controls operation of the blood pump over a first period to provide a first level of support. Subsequent to the first period, the controller controls operation of the blood pump over a second period to provide a second level of support that is less than the first level of support. The controller monitors the outflow conduit pressure during the second period of time. In response detecting a decrease in the pressure of blood within the outflow conduit, the controller controls operation of the blood pump over a third period of time to provide a third level of circulatory support that is greater than the second level of circulatory support.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system includes a ventricular assist device (VAD) and a controller. The VAD is attachable to a heart of a patient to pump blood from a ventricle of the heart into a blood vessel of the patient. The VAD includes an impeller, a motor stator operable to rotate the impeller, and an accelerometer generating an accelerometer output indicative of accelerations of the VAD. The controller controls operation of the motor stator to control rotational speed of the impeller based on the accelerometer output.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for supplying power to a medical device. A medical system includes a medical service and a base module. The medical device is configured to be worn by a user or implanted in the user. The base module is configured to control operation of the medical device and supply electrical power to the medical device. The base module includes a base module input connector that includes two power connectors, two ground connectors, and a data connector arranged in a symmetrical arrangement that accommodates two opposite connection orientations of a mating input connector with the base module input connector.

Abstract: Blood circulation assist systems with patient connectable cable assemblies. A blood circulation assist system includes a blood pump, an external controller, a percutaneous cable assembly, and an external cable assembly. The external controller is configured to output a connection indication. The percutaneous cable assembly includes a proximal connector. The external cable assembly includes a distal connector. The distal connector and the proximal connector are configured for connection and disconnection by the patient. The external controller is configured to detect whether the distal connector and the proximal connector are connected. The connection indication is indicative of whether the distal connector and the proximal connector are connected.