Abstract: A controller for an implantable blood pump, the implantable blood pump having an impeller. The controller includes processing circuitry configured to reduce a speed of the impeller from a set speed to a first reduced speed if a first predetermined amount of time of detected suction events occurs during a first time interval and increase the speed of the impeller from the first reduced speed if a second predetermined amount of time or less of detected suction events occur during a second time interval and a third predetermined amount of time or less of detected suction events.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a pump speed of a blood pump implanted in a patient including a processor in communication with the implanted blood pump, the processor having processing circuitry configured to reduce a pump speed relative to a standard set speed based on a timing of a systole phase of the patient, the systole phase including a first segment during which a ventricular pressure is at its greatest and a second segment occurring after the first segment during which the ventricular pressure is at its lowest, the pump speed being reduced during the second segment.

Abstract: A method of determining a heart rate of a patient having an implanted blood pump including applying a voltage to a plurality of coils of a stator of the blood pump to produce an electromagnetic force to rotate a rotor in communication with the plurality of coils; displaying a waveform associated with a back electromotive force in the plurality of coils of the blood pump, the waveform being proportional to an axial position of the rotor relative to the stator; determining a time interval between a first alteration in the waveform relative to a baseline and a second alteration in the waveform relative to the baseline; and determining the heart rate of the patient based on the time interval.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for performing the removal of thrombus from a vessel lumen. More particularly the present invention relates to a thrombectomy system that includes an elongate catheter and a disposable aspiration pump and methods of performing medical procedures to remove clots, thrombus and emboli to re-establish the normal intravascular flow of blood.

Abstract: A method of operating an implantable blood pump having a first stator, a second stator, and an impeller movably disposed there between. The method includes applying a first voltage waveform at first phase to the first stator to generate a magnetic field to rotate the impeller. A second voltage waveform is applied at a second phase shifted from the first phase to the second stator to rotate the impeller, the second voltage waveform is asymmetric to the first voltage waveform.

Abstract: A method of estimating a patient's cardiac preload in a patient having an implantable blood pump. The method includes generating a current waveform from operation of the implanted blood pump. A beat-to-beat pump filling index (PFI) is calculated, the PFI is calculated by dividing a current amplitude component by a time component, the amplitude component being calculated by subtracting a trough of the current waveform from an inflection point divided by an amplitude difference of peak to trough of the waveform, the time component being calculated by dividing a time between the trough and the inflection point by a time between the peak and the trough. An alert is generated if the PFI deviates from predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: A control circuit for a sensorless implantable blood pump configured to determine mitral valve regurgitation includes processing circuitry configured to generate an estimated blood flow waveform from the sensorless implanted blood pump and generate an alert if between an end period of diastole and a beginning period of systole a measured amplitude of the estimated blood flow waveform does not include an inflection point.

Abstract: A bag cutter for opening a sealed package using at least one of a blade and a piercer. Preferably, at least one blade is disposed partially within a cutout of an arm in a manner that exposes an edge of the blade. A piercer can comprise an extension of a cutout edge or be located on any other suitable portion of an arm. Another blade can be provided that is substantially perpendicular to the blade within a cutout, and juxtaposable against a cutting surface.

Abstract: A control circuit for a sensorless implantable blood pump configured to determine mitral valve regurgitation includes processing circuitry configured to generate an estimated blood flow waveform from the sensorless implanted blood pump and generate an alert if between an end period of diastole and a beginning period of systole a measured amplitude of the estimated blood flow waveform does not include an inflection point.

Abstract: A method of determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump including determining a pump speed and a pump flow value; analyzing the pump speed and the pump flow value to a pump loss constant value; determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of a cardiac cycle based on the analysis of the pump speed and the pump flow value to the pump loss constant value; determining a mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the determined graft hydraulic resistance value; comparing the mean arterial pressure index of the patient to a mean arterial pressure index range; and generating an alert when the mean arterial pressure index varies with respect to a mean arterial pressure index range.

Abstract: A method of responding to an adverse event associated with an implantable blood pump including detecting the adverse event, reducing a pump speed of the blood pump relative to a set pump speed in response to the detected adverse event, and determining whether at least one of a group consisting of the adverse event and a second adverse event is present following the reducing of the pump speed of the blood pump. If the at least one of the group consisting of the adverse event and a second adverse event is not present, the method includes increasing the pump speed to the set pump speed and if the at least one of the group consisting of the adverse event and a second adverse event is present while increasing the pump speed to the set pump speed, the method includes reducing the pump speed to a maximum safe operating speed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an implantable blood pump including a housing having a proximal portion including an inlet, a distal portion including an outlet, and an impeller therein, the method including detecting when a pressure in the housing exceeds a pressure threshold and executing a first vector control command to displace the impeller axially in a distal direction from a primary position to a secondary position different than the primary position in response to the pressure exceeding the pressure threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling a blood pump having a predefined hydraulic performance including at least from the group consisting of estimating and measuring an instantaneous flow rate during operation of the blood pump at a predetermined rotational speed of an impeller of the blood pump, the instantaneous flow rate including a plurality of flow rate data points. The plurality of flow rate data points define a trajectory around at least one from the group consisting of an operational point of a predefined pressure-flow curve associated with the predetermined rotational speed of the impeller of the blood pump and a target operational point of a target pressure-flow curve different than the predefined pressure-flow curve. The predetermined rotational speed of the impeller is adjusted until the plurality of flow rate data points define a predetermined trajectory around at least one of the operational point and the target operational point.

Abstract: A method of determining a heart rate of a patient having an implanted blood pump including applying a voltage to a plurality of coils of a stator of the blood pump to produce an electromagnetic force to rotate a rotor in communication with the plurality of coils; displaying a waveform associated with a back electromotive force in the plurality of coils of the blood pump, the waveform being proportional to an axial position of the rotor relative to the stator; determining a time interval between a first alteration in the waveform relative to a baseline and a second alteration in the waveform relative to the baseline; and determining the heart rate of the patient based on the time interval.

Abstract: A blood pump having a housing including an inlet element. The inlet element has a proximal portion sized to be received within at least a portion of a heart of a patient and defines a major longitudinal axis. A rotor is configured to rotate within the housing about the major longitudinal axis and impel blood from heart. At least one stator is disposed within the housing and positioned within the housing at least one from the group consisting of upstream and downstream from the rotor. During operation of the blood pump the rotor is maintained at an oblique angle with respect to the major longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of controlling a blood pump including executing a control command to temporarily displace an impeller of the blood pump within a pump housing from a first axial position relative to the pump housing to a second axial position a distance away from the first axial position using a vector control method, and causing the impeller to move from the second axial position to a third axial position, the third axial position including a positive and a negative displacement of the impeller relative to the first axial position.

Abstract: A method of determining a heart rate of a patient having an implanted blood pump including applying a voltage to a plurality of coils of a stator of the blood pump to produce an electromagnetic force to rotate a rotor in communication with the plurality of coils; displaying a waveform associated with a back electromotive force in the plurality of coils of the blood pump, the waveform being proportional to an axial position of the rotor relative to the stator; determining a time interval between a first alteration in the waveform relative to a baseline and a second alteration in the waveform relative to the baseline; and determining the heart rate of the patient based on the time interval.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods and systems for determining heart rate of a patient. Based on motor current signals of a ventricular assist device (VAD), each of first, second and third events in the measured current signal may be detected, the first event being indicative of a rise or fall in the current signal, the second event being indicative of a rise or fall in the current signal in the opposite direction as the first event, and the third event being indicative of a rise or fall in the current signal in the same direction as the first event. A timer counter may be initiated upon detection of the first event, and an elapsed time may be measured upon detection of the third event. Heart rate may be determined based on the elapsed time of the timer counter.

Abstract: A method of operating an implantable blood pump having a first stator, a second stator, and an impeller movably disposed there between. The method includes applying a first voltage waveform at first phase to the first stator to generate a magnetic field to rotate the impeller. A second voltage waveform is applied at a second phase shifted from the first phase to the second stator to rotate the impeller, the second voltage waveform is asymmetric to the first voltage waveform.

Abstract: A controller for an implantable blood pump, the implantable blood pump having an impeller.