Abstract: A mechanical circulatory support system includes an implantable blood pump and a system controller configured to control operation of the implantable blood pump. The system controller includes a system controller rechargeable energy storage device, a system controller input connector, a system controller output connector, and a system controller display. The system controller output connector is configured for operatively coupling the system controller to the implantable blood pump. The system controller is configured to display a system controller charge level indicator on the system controller display indicative of a charge level of the system controller rechargeable energy storage device. The system controller input connector is configured for operatively coupling the system controller with a power source configured to supply electrical power to the system controller for use in recharging the system controller rechargeable energy storage device and powering operation of the implantable blood pump.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable medical device including a housing, a header coupled to the housing, and a receptacle connector stack disposed in the header. The receptacle connector stack includes a plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of wiper seals. Each electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts is separated by a corresponding wiper seal. A first sealing element is disposed at a proximal end of the receptacle connector stack and a second sealing element is disposed at a distal end of the receptacle connector stack. The sealing elements are mounted on respective seal housings. A third sealing element is disposed adjacent to the first sealing element and further proximal of the connector stack to restrict a bounce back effect caused by one or more of the plurality of wiper seals during insertion of a lead.

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: Blood pump systems and methods employ transmission of electrical energy and data over a percutaneous cable. A method of transmitting electrical energy and data over a percutaneous cable includes transmitting electrical energy over a first pair of conductors of a percutaneous cable for use in powering an implantable blood pump. Transmission of electrical energy over the first pair of conductors is discontinued to accommodate data transmission over the first pair of conductors. Transmission of the data over the first pair of conductors is discontinued to accommodate recommencement of transmission of electrical energy over the first pair of conductors for use in powering the implantable blood pump.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system is provided. The system includes an external transmit resonator and an implantable receive resonator. The transmit resonator is configured to transmit wireless power, wherein the external transmit resonator includes one of i) one or more loops of Litz wire and ii) a plurality of stacked plates. The implantable receive resonator is configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the external transmit resonator, wherein the implantable receive resonator is configured to power a ventricular assist device (VAD) implanted in a subject using the received wireless power. The implantable receive resonator includes the other of i) the one or more loops of Litz wire and ii) the plurality of stacked plates.

Abstract: Blood circulation assist systems include a ventricular assist device (VAD), a remote accelerometer, and a controller that controls operation of the VAD based on output of the remote accelerometer. A blood circulation assist system includes a VAD, a controller, and a remote accelerometer. The VAD includes an impeller. The remote accelerometer is configured to generate a remote accelerometer output indicative of accelerations measured by the remote accelerometer. The implanted controller controls a rotation speed of the impeller based on the remote accelerometer output.

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: 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.