Abstract: A system and method for detecting and mitigating a suction condition are disclosed. The method may include estimating a flow waveform of the pump, identifying pulses in the flow waveform, determining a negative flow based on a valid identification of a pulse, and evaluating a characteristic of the pulse for an existence of a suction condition. In various embodiments, a suction marker is located based on a minimum in a diastolic phase, and the suction marker location is used to identify a probability of a suction condition. A speed of the pump may be adjusted to mitigate the suction condition. A system and method for estimating flow is further disclosed. The method may include interpolating data sets defining pump power to flow for various pump speed values.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and mitigating a suction condition are disclosed. The method may include estimating a flow waveform of the pump, identifying pulses in the flow waveform, determining a negative flow based on a valid identification of a pulse, and evaluating a characteristic of the pulse for an existence of a suction condition. In various embodiments, a suction marker is located based on a minimum in a diastolic phase, and the suction marker location is used to identify a probability of a suction condition. A speed of the pump may be adjusted to mitigate the suction condition. A system and method for estimating flow is further disclosed. The method may include interpolating data sets defining pump power to flow for various pump speed values.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and mitigating a suction condition are disclosed. The method may include characterizing pump waveform signal, identifying and evaluating a characteristic of the waveform for an existence of a suction condition. In various embodiments, a change in harmonic spectral distribution will identify a probability of a suction condition. A speed of the pump may be adjusted to mitigate the suction condition.

Abstract: An integrated control module is provided for a ventricular assist device. A housing receives a power monitoring/switching circuit, a main receptacle, and a quasi-internal backup receptacle. The main receptacle within the housing receives a main battery. The main receptacle is configured for manual installation and removal of the main battery without requiring any separate tool. The quasi-internal backup receptacle within the housing receives a backup battery having a battery capacity less than the main battery. The backup receptacle includes a locking mechanism that requires use of a separate tool to unlock the locking mechanism for removing the backup battery. The backup battery is installed and removed without disturbing power supplied from a main battery in the main receptacle to the power monitoring/switching circuit.

Abstract: A implantable blood pump system includes a pump unit, a first percutaneous cable section, a control unit, and a second cable section connecting the control unit to the first cable section. All components except the control unit are sterilized. The connection between cable sections is removable. The connection between the control unit and second cable section is unremovable once it is assembled. The second cable section has a length sufficient to place an end outside of the sterile field for mating with the control unit during implantation.