Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for providing blood flow for a blood pump recipient. For example, cannulae that can be connected to the circulatory system of a mammal and can be used in conjunction with a blood pump (e.g., an assist device) are provided.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump-inflow-cannula (1) providing a blood conduit from a heart (2) and/or from an associated vessel to an external blood handling system. The pump-inflow-cannula comprises a body (3), encompassing an essentially axially extending inflow-lumen (4), having a distal-end (5) for an attachment of the inflow-lumen (4) to the blood handling system, and having a proximal-end (6) for an introduction of blood from the heart (2) and/or from the associated vessel into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein at least one projection (7) is provided at the proximal-end (6) to deflect a heart muscle from intruding into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein the body (3) of the pump-inflow-cannula comprises a reinforcement-means (8). The invention is also related to a pump-outflow-cannula (19) and to a blood managing system comprising a pump-inflow-cannula and a pump-outflow-cannula in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for providing blood flow for a blood pump recipient. For example, cannulae that can be connected to the circulatory system of a mammal and can be used in conjunction with a blood pump (e.g., an assist device) are provided.

Abstract: A method of implanting a blood pump system in a patient requiring treatment includes creating an opening in an epicardium of a heart to access an interior chamber of the heart and implanting a blood pump such that an inlet port of a pump housing is in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the heart through the opening. The pump housing has a first external surface adjacent to the inlet port such that it is substantially adjacent to the epicardium of the heart when implanted. In some embodiments, a first external surface contacts the epicardium when implanted. The blood pump is then secured to the exterior wall of the heart. In some embodiments, the blood pump is secured using a mounting cuff.

Abstract: A connector system is provided for use in priming a fluid circuit. The system includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is configured to couple with one end of a conduit. The first connector has a gas permeable membrane, a main lumen extending from the gas permeable membrane, and a second lumen. The second lumen has a first end configured to couple with a fluid source and a second end in fluid communication with the main lumen. The second connector is configured to couple with an end of a cannula. The second connector has an end configured to be inserted through the gas permeable membrane into the first connector, whereby fluid communication can be established between the main lumen of the first connector and the cannula lumen.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump system includes a blood pump housing and a mounting cuff. The blood pump housing at least partially contains a pump drive system adapted to transfer blood from an interior chamber of a heart and return the blood to a circulatory system. The blood pump housing includes an inlet port adapted to provide a passage for the flow of blood from the interior chamber of the heart into an interior space of the pump housing and an outlet port adapted to provide a passage for the flow of blood from the interior space of the pump housing to the circulatory system. The blood pump housing includes a first external surface adjacent to the inlet port and a second external surface adjacent to the first external surface. The first external surface is adapted to be implanted substantially adjacent to an outer surface of an epicardium of the heart. The second external surface at least partially defines an outside perimeter of the pump housing.

Abstract: A device (1) for restraining attached couplers (4, 5) of a percutaneous lead assembly (7). The device (1) comprises a body (14) including two engagement means (8) positioned at opposite ends that engage with the respective couplers (4, 5) to resist disconnection, and an attachment means (9) to attach the device (1) to the outer epidermis of a patient to limit movement of the device (1), when in use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump-inflow-cannula (1) providing a blood conduit from a heart (2) and/or from an associated vessel to an external blood handling system. The pump-inflow-cannula comprises a body (3), encompassing an essentially axially extending inflow-lumen (4), having a distal-end (5) for an attachment of the inflow-lumen (4) to the blood handling system, and having a proximal-end (6) for an introduction of blood from the heart (2) and/or from the associated vessel into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein at least one projection (7) is provided at the proximal-end (6) to deflect a heart muscle from intruding into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein the body (3) of the pump-inflow-cannula comprises a reinforcement-means (8). The invention is also related to a pump-outflow-cannula (19) and to a blood managing system comprising a pump-inflow-cannula and a pump-outflow-cannula in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Various “contactless” bearing mechanisms including hydrodynamic and magnetic bearings are provided for a rotary pump as alternatives to mechanical contact bearings. In one embodiment, a pump apparatus includes a pump housing defining a pumping chamber. The housing has a spindle extending into the pumping chamber. A spindle magnet assembly includes first and second magnets disposed within the spindle. The first and second magnets are arranged proximate each other with their respective magnetic vectors opposing each other. The lack of mechanical contact bearings enables longer life pump operation and less damage to working fluids such as blood.

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.

Abstract: A pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular from the pump 1, 200 is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller 100, 204 is entirely sealed within the pump housing 2, 201 and is exclusively hydrodynamically suspended therein as the impeller rotates within the fluid 105 urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity 106, 203. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller 100, 204 having deformities therein such as blades 8 with surfaces tapered from the leading edges 102, 223 to the trailing edges 103, 224 of bottom and top edges 221, 222 thereof.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of a rotary blood pump. The system oscillates the speed of the pump to produce pulsed pressure at the outlet of the pump. The speed is oscillated synchronously with the natural cardiac cycle. The natural cardiac cycle is determined using a pulsatility index calculated from the back EMF produced by the pump or an impedance sensor.

Abstract: Preparing the heart for connection with a ventricular assist device (VAD) can include attaching an attachment ring to a ventricular apex of the heart. The attachment ring optionally includes a seal or a valve to allow the procedure to be performed with or without a heart-lung bypass. A valve can be temporarily attached to the attachment ring. Tissue is removed from the ventricular apex through the attachment ring to form a hole through which an inflow conduit of the VAD can be inserted. A slit can first be made in the ventricular apex to facilitate removal of the tissue. A clamp can be closed around the attachment ring to secure the inflow conduit.

Abstract: A demand responsive physiological control system for use with a rotary blood pump; said system including a pump controller which is capable of controlling pump speed of said pump; said system further including a physiological controller, and wherein said physiological controller is adapted to analyze input data relating to physiological condition of a user of said pump; and wherein said physiological controller determines appropriate pumping speed and sends a speed control signal to said pump controller to adjust pump speed; said system further including a physiological state detector which provides said input data indicative of at least one physiological state of said user, in use, to said physiological controller.

Abstract: An extracardiac pumping for supplementing the circulation of blood, including the cardiac output, in a patient without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, and methods of using same. One embodiment provides a vascular graft that has a first end that is sized and configured to couple to a non-primary blood vessel and a second end that is fluidly coupled to a pump to conduct blood between the pump and the non-primary blood vessel. An outflow conduit is also provided that has a first end sized and configured to be positioned within the same or different blood vessel, whether primary or non-primary, through the vascular graft. The outflow conduit is fluidly coupled to the pump to conduct blood between the pump and the patient. The vascular graft may be connected to the blood vessel subcutaneously to permit application of the extracardiac pumping system in a minimally-invasive procedure.

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.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.

Abstract: A pump assembly 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 hydrodynamically suspended therein 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 edges thereof.