Patents Assigned to Thoratec Corporation
  • Patent number: 8876685
    Abstract: A blood pump including an ultrasonic sensor mounted in or on a blood contacting surface of the blood pump. The ultrasonic sensor measures blood velocity and reports information to a blood pump controller. The ultrasonic sensor is directed to measure blood velocity in an inflow cannula connected to the blood pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Andrew Crosby, Colin Neville Sutton, Peter Joseph Ayre
  • Publication number: 20140323796
    Abstract: A blood pump system is implantable in a patient for ventricular support. A pumping chamber has an inlet for receiving blood from a ventricle of the patient. An impeller is received in the pumping chamber. A motor is coupled to the impeller for driving rotation of the impeller. A motor controller is provided for tracking systolic and diastolic phases of a cardiac cycle of the patient and supplying a variable voltage signal to the motor in a variable speed mode to produce a variable impeller speed linked to the cardiac cycle. The impeller speed comprises a ramping up to an elevated speed during the diastolic phase in order to reduce a load on the ventricle at the beginning of the systolic phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Medvedev, Masamichi Yanai
  • Publication number: 20140324165
    Abstract: A blood pump controller includes a microcontroller and a communication interface. The microcontroller is configured to communicate with various types of blood pump communication modules. The microcontroller is further configured to determine, based on communication with a particular type of blood pump communication module, the particular type of blood pump communication module communicated with. The microcontroller is further configured to select, based on the determination of the particular type of blood pump communication module, control logic used to control the particular type of blood pump communication module. The microcontroller is further configured to generate, based on the selected control logic, commands for controlling the blood pump communication module. The communication interface is configured to connect the microcontroller to the particular type of blood pump communication module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: David J. Burke
  • Patent number: 8870552
    Abstract: A pump assembly and estimation and control system therefor, the pump adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form, the pump is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller is entirely sealed within the pump housing and is exclusively hydrodynamically suspended therein against movement in three translational and two rotational degrees of freedom as the impeller rotates within the fluid urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller having deformities therein such as blades with surfaces tapered from the leading edges to the trailing edges of bottom and top surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Ayre, Geoffrey Douglas Tansley, Peter Andrew Watterson, John Campbell Woodard
  • Patent number: 8864643
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Steven H. Reichenbach, Stephen G. Briana, William V. Hodges, Eric Lee
  • Publication number: 20140309481
    Abstract: A rotary blood pump comprises an impeller in a pump housing with a pumping chamber between first and second walls. The impeller operates in a levitated position spaced from the first and second walls in response to hydrodynamic forces which are boosted by hydrodynamic bearing features in the walls. At least one of the impeller or the walls includes at least one mechanical thrust bearing extending between the impeller and each of the walls, wherein the mechanical thrust bearing is configured such that when the impeller is not being held in the levitated position by the hydrodynamic forces then the mechanical thrust bearing is engaged to maintain a predetermined separation between the hydrodynamic bearing features and the impeller. The mechanical thrust bearing is configured such that when the impeller is being held in the levitated position by the hydrodynamic forces then the mechanical thrust bearing is unengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander L. Medvedev, Masamichi Yanai
  • Publication number: 20140309733
    Abstract: A percutaneous cable includes a cable body having a first end and second end, the cable body including a sheath adapted to traverse a patient's skin. The cable includes a plurality of conductors disposed within the cable body configured to transmit power and control data between a system controller and two implantable pumps. The cable includes a first connector disposed at the first end of the cable body and coupled to the plurality of conductors, the first connector configured to connect the cable body to the system controller. The cable includes a second connector disposed at the second end of the cable body, the second connector comprising a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher James Cotter
  • Patent number: 8858416
    Abstract: An active implantable medical device comprising a therapeutic device, a controller and at least one rechargeable battery, wherein a single hermetically sealed housing encapsulates a therapeutic device, controller and rechargeable battery. A hermetically sealed housing additionally encapsulates a wireless interface and a commutator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Andrew Crosby, John Campbell Woodard
  • Publication number: 20140298905
    Abstract: The magnetic balance is verified of a magnetically-levitated impeller of a centrifugal pump with a pump housing having levitation magnets. The impeller includes embedded magnets and is movable within a chamber in the pump housing between first and second sides of the chamber. The centrifugal pump is mounted on an acceleration fixture while the impeller is held against a predetermined one of the first and second sides by the levitation magnets. A plurality of predetermined accelerations are applied to the acceleration fixture to exert a plurality of different forces of acceleration on the impeller. A determination is made whether the impeller detaches from the predetermined side as a result of each different force of acceleration to identify adjacent forces for which a transition occurs between detaching and not detaching. The transition is compared with a desired retention force to determine whether the pump achieves magnetic balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masamichi Yanai, Jason C. Nanna
  • Publication number: 20140288352
    Abstract: A blood pump system for left ventricle assist has an implantable pump unit having a multiphase stator having a plurality of windings connected between respective junctions for forming first, second, and third phases. An external control unit comprises an H-bridge inverter having first, second, and third phase legs. A percutaneous cable is provided having first, second, and third parallel pairs of redundant conductors. Each conductor pair is connected between a respective phase leg and a respective junction. The conductors are arranged concentrically around a cable core so that individual conductors of each pair are separated by at least one conductor of a different conductor pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masamichi Yanai, Himanshu K. Bhatt
  • Patent number: 8840538
    Abstract: An apical ring for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart has an annular disk with a central aperture for receiving the conduit. A collar is axially aligned with the central aperture and has a cylindrical shape interrupted by a gap between first and second ends of the collar. The collar has a fixed section joined to the annular disk and has a cantilever section extending from the fixed section to the first end of the collar. A tightener selectively drives the first end toward the second end to close the gap in order to retain the conduit within the collar. The cantilever section includes a relief slot that is expandable for extending a circumferential length of the cantilever section in response to interacting with the conduit when the gap is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Jeffery, Sunil K. Dasara
  • Publication number: 20140275722
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for use in a blood pump includes a first component that has a convex bearing surface and a first outer surface proximate the convex bearing surface. The bearing assembly includes a second component that a concave bearing surface and a second outer surface proximate the concave bearing surface, the concave bearing surface being configured to receive the convex bearing surface. A plurality of grooves are defined through the convex bearing surface and first outer surface or through the concave bearing surface and the second outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Zimmermann, Carine Hoarau, John Duc Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140275725
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a fluid handling system are disclosed herein. For example, the fluid handling system can include a catheter assembly and a console configured to control the operation of the catheter assembly. A removable interface member can be configured to provide fluid and electrical communication between the catheter assembly and the console.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Schenck, Michael L. Green, Keif M. Fitzgerald, Paul F. Muller, Joseph P. Sullivan, Keith Schubert, Peter W. Bristol, Jeffrey Paul Mills, Paul C. Leonard, Richard L. Keenan
  • Publication number: 20140275721
    Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump system has a self-contained pumping unit and a self-contained motor unit. A pump outlet extends radially from a pump housing of the pumping unit. A percutaneous cable passes through a radial exit from a motor housing of the motor unit. The motor housing has a substantially planar face configured to mate with a substantially planar face of the pump housing. The pumping unit and the motor unit are configured to latch together in a plurality of orientations, each orientation having the substantially planar faces mated and the outlet and radial exit at a different respective angular separation. The pumping unit and the motor unit are configured such that after the pumping unit is implanted, the motor unit can be unlatched and a replacement motor unit latched with the pumping unit at the plurality of orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masamichi Yanai, Brian D. Jeffery
  • Publication number: 20140275726
    Abstract: A catheter pump assembly is provided that includes a proximal a distal portion, a catheter body, an impeller, and a flow modifying structure. The catheter body has a lumen that extends along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal portions. The impeller is disposed at the distal portion. The impeller includes a blade with a trailing edge. The flow modifying structure is disposed downstream of the impeller. The flow modifying structure has a plurality of blades having a leading edge substantially parallel to and in close proximity to the trailing edge of the blade of the impeller and an expanse extending downstream from the leading edge. In some embodiments, the expanse has a first region with higher curvature and a second region with lower curvature. The first region is between the leading edge and the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zijing Zeng
  • Patent number: 8834342
    Abstract: Various “contactless” bearing mechanisms including hydrodynamic, hydrostatic, and magnetic bearings are provided for a rotary pump as alternatives to mechanical contact bearings. These design features may be combined. In one embodiment, the pump apparatus includes a rotor having a bore, a ring-shaped upper rotor bearing magnet, and a ring-shaped lower rotor bearing magnet. The bearing magnets are concentric with the bore. The lack of mechanical contact bearings enables longer life pump operation and less damage to working fluids such as blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Wampler, David M. Lancisi
  • Patent number: 8834345
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump system for a cardiac assist device employs a disc-shaped impeller having an outer circumference adapted to be rotatably driven in a pumping direction. A pump housing has a pumping chamber receiving the impeller, wherein the pumping chamber defines an outlet volute having a separation edge spaced from the outer circumference to provide a limited backflow path coinciding with the pumping direction. A motor drives the impeller in response to a voltage provided to the motor. A current sensor measures current flow within the motor in response to the voltage. A controller estimates a pump flow rate in response to a predetermined relation between the measured current and the pump flow rate, wherein the predetermined relation includes a positive slope from a predetermined backflow rate to a zero pump flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Yanai, Tao Zhang, Jeffrey G. Houdek
  • Patent number: 8837096
    Abstract: A implantable pump system comprises an implantable pump motor and an external unit. An inverter comprises respective phases with redundant legs connected in parallel, and respective current sensors in series with each leg generating a respective measured current. A cable redundantly couples the inverter to the motor. The cable includes a respective conductor coupling each redundant leg to a respective phase of the motor. The controller receives the measured currents, monitors for a fault in the conductors by comparing the measured currents in the respective redundant legs. A fault in a pair of redundant conductors is detected if a ratio of the respective measured currents is not within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventor: Craig H. Seebruch
  • Patent number: 8827890
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to interfacing and controlling external batteries are described. In one embodiment, an external battery is integrated with a touch screen display. In one embodiment, the external battery provides an infrared communication link with a detachable device or system controller. In one embodiment, the external battery touch screen interface provides data received from a detachable device or system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Lee, Ethan Petersen, Joseph Stark, Ian McCutcheon, Steve Reichenbach
  • Patent number: 8827663
    Abstract: A rotary pump including an impeller rotatable within a housing. A load is imposed on the impeller as it rotates, in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and wherein the load stabilises the motion of the impeller. The load may be achieved by magnetically biasing the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Christopher Cook