Abstract: An implantable heart assist system includes a compressible pumping chamber including an inlet conduit to be placed in fluid connection with the descending thoracic aorta and an outlet conduit to be placed in fluid connection with the thoracic aorta; and a pump system comprising a first rigid member, a second rigid member positioned so that at least a portion of the pumping chamber may be positioned between the first and second rigid members, a drive system configured to cause the second rigid member to move toward or away from the first rigid member, and a controller in operative connection with the drive system and controlling the drive system, wherein movement of the second rigid member toward the first rigid member results in compresses the pumping chamber and movement of the second rigid member away from the first rigid member expands the pumping chamber.

Abstract: An implantable heart assist system, includes a pumping chamber formed of a flexible material and being adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the aorta and a pump system comprising a first rigid member and a spaced apart second rigid member so that at least a portion of the pumping chamber may be positioned therebetween, a drive system comprising a motor. The motor is adapted to cause the second rigid member to move toward the first rigid member to compress the pumping chamber or away from the first rigid member to expand the pumping chamber. A controller is in operative connection with the drive system and controlling the motor.

Abstract: A system for assisting blood flow in a patient includes an implantable pump system for assisting in blood flow from the heart and an implantable control system for communicative connection with the implantable pump system. The control system includes a pacemaker system that is operative to control heart rate and the pump system interdependently to achieve a determined level of blood flow assist. The control system is adapted to increase the heart rate of the patient to above a normal heart rate for the patient under the present conditions of the patient via the pacemaker while controlling the pump system to achieve the determined level of blood flow assist based upon the increased heart rate and a level of assist provided by the pump system.

Abstract: A system includes an implantable pump system for assisting blood flow in a patient including at least one movable valve. The movable valve is in a normally open state when the moveable valve is not being powered and a drive system in operative connection with the moveable valve to move the moveable valve under power. The system further includes an energy transfer system to provide energy to the drive system. The energy transfer system includes an external system including a power source and an external coil and an internal system including an internal coil adapted to receive transcutaneous energy transmitted from the external coil. The internal system has at least a first state wherein energy transmission from the external coil is required to provide operational power to the drive system.

Abstract: In one aspect, an implantable pump system for assisting blood flow in a patient includes a blood flow path comprising a flexible conduit, at least one valve in fluid connection with the flexible conduit, a drive system in operative connection with the valve to move the valve in a reciprocating manner, an implantable control system and at least one sensor in communicative connection with the control system. The sensor is adapted to measure at least one property of blood. The control system is adapted to control movement of the valve on the basis of data regarding position of the valve with respect to time or a derivative thereof (that is, position, velocity, acceleration or a derivative thereof) in combination with data of the measured at least one property of blood from the sensor.

Abstract: A system includes an implantable pump system for assisting blood flow in a patient including at least one movable valve. The movable valve is in a normally open state when the moveable valve is not being powered and a drive system in operative connection with the moveable valve to move the moveable valve under power. The system further includes an energy transfer system to provide energy to the drive system. The energy transfer system includes an external system including a power source and an external coil and an internal system including an internal coil adapted to receive transcutaneous energy transmitted from the external coil. The internal system has at least a first state wherein energy transmission from the external coil is required to provide operational power to the drive system.

Abstract: An inflow conduit of a ventricular assist device configured to prevent formation of recirculation and stagnation zones as well as collapse due to external forces or pump induced suction can be rigid and have a funnel like shape with an elbow to accommodate a patient anatomy. Stiffening elements and pressure sensing devices can also be provided associated with the inflow conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for safely attaching a conduit to the heart, such as a conduit for connection to an implantable blood pump, or to a blood vessel, as in a heart bypass graft, without the need for a cardiopulmonary bypass. The apparatus can include an enclosure attachable to the heart and having sealed within the enclosure at least part of a coring tool and one end of the conduit which will be attached to the heart. A heart attachment member can be affixed to the enclosure for facilitating attachment of the apparatus to the heart and the coring tool can have a cutting member and a member for holding the tissue to be cut from the heart. All air can be evacuated from the enclosure prior to cutting tissue from the heart and attachment of the conduit.

Abstract: A blood pump having rotor and/or stator touch down zones to prevent pump failure or hemolysis which can occur if the rotor comes into contact with the stator due to power failure or mechanical shock. The touch down zones can include forming, or coating, portions of adjacent surfaces of the stator and rotor which can come into contact if a rotor touch down occurs. The materials used to form or coat the touch down zones can have properties which ensure that no consequential damage to the contacting surfaces occurs.

Abstract: A flow rate control method and apparatus for a blood pump is provided wherein multiple sensors are utilized to measure physical dimensions of a ventricle to calculate either a cross sectional area or a volume of the ventricle during distention and contraction. The multiple sensors are positioned at spaced locations around the ventricle, and may be attached to or imbedded in the ventricle. The sensors may be in the same plane for determining a cross sectional area or in different planes for determining a volume. The area or volume is generally proportional to a corresponding area or volume of the ventricle such that the calculated area or volume is indicative of distention and contraction of the volume. The area or volume is utilized to control the blood pump flow rate to avoid overly distending or contracting the ventricle and for operating the flow rate in a pulsatile manner to closely approximate the natural pumping action of the heart.

Abstract: A blood pump for assisting a heart is provided having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is magnetically radially supported creating a suspension gap between the stator and the rotor. The rotor can be supported axially by a Lorentz force bearing and can be magnetically rotated. The stator can have a single or double volute pump chamber and the rotor can have an impeller portion for pumping blood. The rotor can have a center bore as a primary blood flowpath. The suspension gap can be a secondary blood flowpath. The blood pump can also have an axial position controller and a flow rate controller. The axial position controller can cause the axial bearing to adjust the position of the rotor. The flow rate controller can have a member for measuring a dimension of a heart ventricle to control the flow rate to avoid overly distending or contracting the ventricle. A method of operating the flow rate controller to create a pulsatile flow rate is also provided.

Abstract: A blood pump for assisting a heart is provided having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is magnetically radially supported creating a suspension gap between the stator and the rotor. The rotor can be supported axially by a Lorentz force bearing and can be magnetically rotated. The stator can have a single or double volute pump chamber and the rotor can have an impeller portion for pumping blood. The rotor can have a center bore as a primary blood flowpath. The suspension gap can be a secondary blood flowpath. The blood pump can also have an axial position controller and a flow rate controller. The axial position controller can cause the axial bearing to adjust the position of the rotor. The flow rate controller can have a member for measuring a dimension of a heart ventricle to control the flow rate to avoid overly distending or contracting the ventricle. A method of operating the flow rate controller to create a pulsatile flow rate is also provided.

Abstract: A blood pump for assisting a heart is provided by a stator and a rotor. The rotor is magnetically supported creating a suspension gap between the stator and the rotor. The rotor can be supported axially by a Lorentz force bearing and can be magnetically rotated. The stator can have a volute pump chamber and the rotor can have an impeller portion for pumping blood. The rotor can have a center bore as a primary blood flowpath. The suspension gap can be a first retrograde blood flowpath. An axial gap between the impeller and the volute housing can be a second retrograde blood flowpath. The blood pump can also have an axial position controller. The axial position controller can cause the axial bearing to adjust the position of the rotor. The axial position of the rotor. The axial position of the magnetic suspension components can be adjusted to compensate for changes in the magnetic fields of the magnetic suspension components. The blood pump can also have a flow rate controller.

Abstract: A blood pump for assisting a heart is provided having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is magnetically radially supported creating a suspension gap between the stator and the rotor. The rotor can be supported axially by a Lorentz force bearing and can be magnetically rotated. The stator can have a single or double volute pump chamber and the rotor can have an impeller portion for pumping blood. The rotor can have a center bore as a primary blood flowpath. The suspension gap can be a secondary blood flowpath. The blood pump can also have an axial position controller and a flow rate controller. The axial position controller can cause the axial bearing to adjust the position of the rotor. The flow rate controller can have a member for measuring a dimension of a heart ventricle to control the flow rate to avoid overly distending or contracting the ventricle. A method of operating the flow rate controller to create a pulsatile flow rate is also provided.

Abstract: A blood pump apparatus can include a pump housing having a drive chamber containing a drive mechanism. A cupped member can be connected to the housing and the drive mechanism can include a motor for rotating an eccentric shaft. A pumping arm can be provided having one end riding on the eccentric shaft, an intermediate portion pivotably attached to the housing and another end connected to a movable plate. A roller bearing can be mounted on the eccentric shaft on which the arm can ride. A compressible blood chamber having an inlet and an outlet connected can be provided sandwiched between the cupped portion and the movable plate. The motor thus rotates the cam causing the pumping arm to pivot which cycles the movable plate against the blood chamber to pump blood. The movable plate can be implanted adjacent a lung such that the lung moves with the plate as blood is pumped and thereby functions as a compliance chamber. A speed reducer can be provided between the motor and the eccentric shaft.

Abstract: An implant having an integrally-textured, hemocompatible blood-contacting surface and a method for producing the same is provided. The implantable device can include a device body having a textured surface and a predefined complex shape, such as a bladder or a generally U-shaped conduit. The device body can be composed of a first device material, and the textured surface can be formed of a second device material on the obverse side of the device. The textured surface can have multiple, blood-compatible structures integrally formed thereon. The structures can be fibrils that are suitable for a generally uniform biological layer to be established thereupon.

Abstract: A blood pump apparatus can include a pump housing having a drive chamber containing a drive mechanism. A cupped member can be connected to the housing and the drive mechanism can include a motor for rotating an eccentric shaft. A pumping arm can be provided having one end riding on the eccentric shaft, an intermediate portion pivotably attached to the housing and another end connected to a movable plate. A roller bearing can be mounted on the eccentric shaft on which the arm can ride. A compressible blood chamber having an inlet and an outlet connected can be provided sandwiched between the cupped portion and the movable plate. The motor thus rotates the cam causing the pumping arm to pivot which cycles the movable plate against the blood chamber to pump blood. The movable plate can be implanted adjacent a lung such that the lung moves with the plate as blood is pumped and thereby functions as a compliance chamber. A speed reducer can be provided between the motor and the eccentric shaft.

Abstract: A blood pump for assisting a heart is provided having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is magnetically radially supported creating a suspension gap between the stator and the rotor. The rotor can be supported axially by a Lorentz force bearing and can be magnetically rotated. The stator can have a single or double volute pump chamber and the rotor can have an impeller portion for pumping blood. The rotor can have a center bore as a primary blood flowpath. The suspension gap can be a secondary blood flowpath. The blood pump can also have an axial position controller and a flow rate controller. The axial position controller can cause the axial bearing to adjust the position of the rotor. The flow rate controller can have a member for measuring a dimension of a heart ventricle to control the flow rate to avoid overly distending or contracting the ventricle. A method of operating the flow rate controller to create a pulsatile flow rate is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for transcutaneously transmitting power and communication signals to an implantable device. The apparatus can include generators for power and information signals; receivers; and a coupler for independently coupling the power signal and a first information signal. An internal unit can have receivers for power and information signals; a second signal generator; and an independent coupler. The first and second information signal can be transmitted at a frequency greater than the power frequency. The external unit can also include a signal conditioner for symmetrically transceiving the first and second information signals; and an external data controller for symmetrically controlling the information signals. The internal unit can also include a voltage regulator converter; an internal signal conditioner for symmetrically transceiving the information signals; and a data controller. Symmetrically controlling can include ASK modulation of a data signal upon an RF carrier signal.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device for a heart includes a compression band-stay-pad assembly for encircling substantially the heart perimeter and comprising an elongated band member or chain disposed in a sealed protective structure filled with a lubricating medium. The band member may be fixed at one end and wound upon, or unwound from, a rotatable spool by a drive motor through a speed reducer. Force-transmitting support or stay assemblies are disposed in the protective structure between the band member and a resilient pad assembly for encircling the heart and promoting heart tissue ingrowth therein. The force-transmitting stay assemblies are biased circumferentially, and thus radially outward, by compression return springs disposed therebetween.