Abstract: A test controller and method to operate a rotary motor of a pump are provided. The test controller includes a test speed circuit electrically coupled to, but detachable from, the pump and being configured to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. An actuator selectively activates the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor at the predetermined test speed and/or for the predetermined test time. The method includes electrically coupling the test controller to the pump and, in response to selective activation of the actuator, selectively activating the test speed circuit to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to operate the pump motor at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. The method further includes detaching the test controller from the pump.

Abstract: A test controller and method to operate a rotary motor of a pump are provided. The test controller includes a test speed circuit electrically coupled to, but detachable from, the pump and being configured to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. An actuator selectively activates the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor at the predetermined test speed and/or for the predetermined test time. The method includes electrically coupling the test controller to the pump and, in response to selective activation of the actuator, selectively activating the test speed circuit to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to operate the pump motor at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. The method further includes detaching the test controller from the pump.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a patient comprises a controller and an implantable pump assembly. The controller comprises a processing unit and a battery. The processing unit includes a signal generator and one or more pump operational parameters. The signal generator provides a drive signal. The battery provides power to the processing unit. The implantable pump assembly receives the drive signal from the processing unit and propels fluid based on the drive signal. The system includes a local communication device and a remote communication device that each include a unique identifier produced by a security key generator. The remote communication device includes a code generator that produces encrypted commands. The local communication device receives the encrypted commands and modifies a pump operational parameter of the processing unit based on the received encrypted command.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a patient comprises a controller and an implantable pump assembly. The controller comprises a processing unit and a battery. The processing unit includes a signal generator and one or more pump operational parameters. The signal generator provides a drive signal. The battery provides power to the processing unit. The implantable pump assembly receives the drive signal from the processing unit and propels fluid based on the drive signal. The system includes a local communication device and a remote communication device that each include a unique identifier produced by a security key generator. The remote communication device includes a code generator that produces encrypted commands. The local communication device receives the encrypted commands and modifies a pump operational parameter of the processing unit based on the received encrypted command.

Abstract: A method of providing a pumping system for assisting a human patient's heart and providing a blood pump to be disposed outside the patient's body is disclosed. The blood pump has an inlet and an outlet. An inlet cannula is provided for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the blood pump inlet to provide blood to the blood pump. An outlet perfusion cannula is provided for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the blood pump outlet to provide blood to the patient's vascular system. The blood pump includes a control system to control the blood pump. The control system includes at least two control units for redundant control of the blood pump, and each control unit includes a watchdog for monitoring the control unit.

Abstract: A pumping system for assisting a patient's heart includes a blood pump disposed outside the patient's body and having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet cannula is configured for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and in fluid communication with the blood pump inlet to provide blood to the blood pump. An outlet perfusion cannula is configured for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and in fluid communication with the blood pump outlet to provide blood to the patient's vascular system. A control system is provided to control the blood pump and includes at least two control units for redundant control of the blood pump. Each control unit includes a watchdog for monitoring the control unit. A variation of the pumping system includes a bidirectional cannula for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient and to extend into the patient's heart.

Abstract: A method of providing a pumping system for assisting a human patient's heart and providing a blood pump to be disposed outside the patient's body is disclosed. The blood pump has an inlet and an outlet. An inlet cannula is provided for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the blood pump inlet to provide blood to the blood pump. An outlet perfusion cannula is provided for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the blood pump outlet to provide blood to the patient's vascular system. The blood pump includes a control system to control the blood pump. The control system includes at least two control units for redundant control of the blood pump, and each control unit includes a watchdog for monitoring the control unit.

Abstract: A test controller and method to operate a rotary motor of a pump are provided. The test controller includes a test speed circuit electrically coupled to, but detachable from, the pump and being configured to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. An actuator selectively activates the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor at the predetermined test speed and/or for the predetermined test time. The method includes electrically coupling the test controller to the pump and, in response to selective activation of the actuator, selectively activating the test speed circuit to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to operate the pump motor at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. The method further includes detaching the test controller from the pump.

Abstract: A system for assisting flow of blood by a patient's heart. The system includes a transseptal cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the vascular system and extend through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium. The system includes a blood pump mechanism having a blood pump for pumping blood received from the transseptal cannula that has been oxygenated at specified flow rates over a range of physiological pressures. The blood pump is connected to the transseptal cannula. The system includes a perfusion cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the vascular system for returning oxygenated blood to the atrial system of the patient. The perfusion cannula is connected to the blood pump.

Abstract: A system for assisting flow of blood by a patient's heart. The system includes a transseptal cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the jugular vein and extend through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium. The system includes a blood pump mechanism having a blood pump for pumping blood received from the transseptal cannula that has been oxygenated at specified flow rates over a range of physiological pressures. The blood pump is connected to the transseptal cannula. The system includes a perfusion cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the axillary artery for returning oxygenated blood to the atrial system of the patient. The perfusion cannula is connected to the blood pump. A method for assisting blood flow by a patient's heart. The method includes the steps of inserting percutaneously in the jugular vein of the patient and extending through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium a transseptal cannula.

Abstract: A system for assisting flow of blood by a patient's heart. The system includes a transseptal cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the jugular vein and extend through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium. The system includes a blood pump mechanism having a blood pump for pumping blood received from the transseptal cannula that has been oxygenated at specified flow rates over a range of physiological pressures. The blood pump is connected to the transseptal cannula. The system includes a perfusion cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the axillary artery for returning oxygenated blood to the atrial system of the patient. The perfusion cannula is connected to the blood pump. A method for assisting blood flow by a patient's heart. The method includes the steps of inserting percutaneously in the jugular vein of the patient and extending through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium a transseptal cannula.

Abstract: A system for assisting flow of blood by a patient's heart. The system includes a transseptal cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the femoral vein and extend through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium. The system includes a blood pump mechanism having a blood pump for pumping blood received from the transseptal cannula that has been oxygenated at specified flow rates over a range of physiological pressures. The blood pump is connected to the transseptal cannula. The system includes a perfusion cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the femoral artery for returning oxygenated blood to the atrial system of the patient. The perfusion cannula is connected to the blood pump. A method for assisting blood flow by a patient's heart. The method includes the steps of inserting percutaneously in the femoral vein of the patient and extending through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium a transseptal cannula.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive flow indication through a rotary blood pump. The apparatus includes a blood pump adapted for implantation into a patient. The blood pump has a moving mechanism which contacts blood and imparts energy to the blood to move the blood in the patient at a desired flow rate. The apparatus a mechanism for causing the moving mechanism to move the blood. The causing mechanism is engaged with the moving mechanism. The causing mechanism receiving energy to power the causing mechanism. The apparatus comprises a sensorless flow indicator connected to the blood pump to identify the flow of blood through the pump based only on an energy balance between the energy imparted to the blood by the moving mechanism and the energy received by the causing mechanism. A method for determining blood flow in a patient. The method includes the steps of providing energy to a blood pump implanted in a patient to operate the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive flow indication through a rotary blood pump. The apparatus includes a blood pump adapted for implantation into a patient. The blood pump has a moving mechanism which contacts blood and imparts energy to the blood to move the blood in the patient at a desired flow rate. The apparatus includes a mechanism for causing the moving mechanism to move the blood. The causing mechanism is engaged with the moving mechanism. The causing mechanism receiving energy to power the causing mechanism. The apparatus comprises a sensorless flow indicator connected to the blood pump to identify the flow of blood through the pump based only on an energy balance between the energy imparted to the blood by the moving mechanism and the energy received by the causing mechanism. A method for determining blood flow in a patient. The method includes the steps of providing energy to a blood pump implanted in a patient to operate the pump.