Abstract: A cannula, such as an implantable cannula, for an implantable blood pump is disclosed. The cannula comprises a body having a bore extending between an inlet and an outlet for fluid communication therebetween. A filter is disposed in, on or at the body and arranged to filter blood clots from at least a portion of fluid passing through the body, and therefore into the blood pump. The cannula is preferably arranged to be mounted between a patient's left ventricle and an implantable blood pump. Also disclosed is a filter and a heart assist device, such as a blood pump, incorporating a filter to prevent blood clots from entering the blood pump.

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: A blood pump including a ultrasonic sensor mounted in or on a blood contacting surface of said blood pump. The ultrasonic sensor measures blood velocity and reports information to a blood pump controller and wherein the ultrasonic sensor is directed to measure blood velocity in an inflow cannula connected to the blood pump.

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.

Abstract: A pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form 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 pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form 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: Disclosed are methods of conducting and assessing the outcomes of a randomized controlled clinical trial. The method comprises the steps of: trialing, with respect to a first group of patients as an experimental group, an experimental treatment; and trialing, with respect to a second group of patients as a control group, at least first and second control therapies. The control therapies will have been previously validated or are a known standard of care. This method is described in relation to trialing and assessing implantable medical devices such as left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) but may be used for trialing and assessing other medical devices.

Abstract: A control system for use with a medical device implanted within a patient. The system is included within a control circuit connected to a medical device and when said control circuit detects at least one error with the medical device or patient, the controller activates at least one audible alarm and wherein the audible alarm plays a voice message to the patient through an audio transducer, and the speaker of the audio transducer is disposed externally relative to the body of the patient.

Abstract: A blood pump including a ultrasonic sensor mounted in or on a blood contacting surface of said blood pump. The ultrasonic sensor measures blood velocity and reports information to a blood pump controller and wherein the ultrasonic sensor is directed to measure blood velocity in an inflow cannula connected to the blood pump.

Abstract: A switch for use with a medical device. The switch includes an accelerometer for detecting motion, a controller cooperating with said accelerometer to determine whether said detected motion is substantially identical to a predefined motion of a user. The controller alters the functioning state of the medical device, if the detected motion is substantially identical to the predefined motion of the user.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the speed of a rotary blood pump, which comprises the measuring the speed and/or power of said pump, calculating an array of system parameters derived from the measured speed, analysing these parameters, and if the analysis indicates ventricular collapse or imminent ventricular collapse, then the speed of said pump is altered, to minimise the risk of the collapse occurring. Preferably the analysis is done using a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to rotary pumps adapted, but not exclusively, for use as artificial hearts or ventricular assist devices and, in particular, discloses in preferred forms a seal-less shaft-less pump featuring open or closed (shrouded) impeller blades with the edges of the blades used as hydrodynamic thrust bearings and with electromagnetic torque provided by the interaction between magnets embedded in the blades and a rotating current pattern generated in coils fixed relative to the pump housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to rotary pumps adapted, but not exclusively, for use as artificial hearts or ventricular assist devices and, in particular, discloses in preferred forms a seal-less shaft-less pump featuring open or closed (shrouded) impeller blades with the edges of the blades used as hydrodynamic thrust bearings and with electromagnetic torque provided by the interaction between magnets embedded in the blades and a rotating current pattern generated in coils fixed relative to the pump housing.

Abstract: A pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form 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.