Abstract: An emergency controller for use with a medical device adapted to be controlled by a primary controller. The emergency controller including a control unit, a power source, a connector and a switch, and wherein the connector is adapted to allow the emergency controller to be connected to the medical device or to the primary controller, and wherein the switch is adapted to activate the control unit when the emergency controller is connected to the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a control system for a rotary blood pump adapted to move blood in a patient. The control system comprises a means for measuring and varying the speed of the pump and a means for measuring the pulsatility index of a patient, and the control system is adapted to maintain the pulsatility index at or near a predetermined value by varying the speed of the pump. The pulsatility index is derived from the amplitude of the actual pump speed over a predetermined time period. Optionally, also, the control system can calculate the second derivative of instantaneous speed of the rotary blood pump and use the calculation of the second derivative of instantaneous speed to detect a suction event, and help prevent it.

Abstract: A control system for use with an implantable medical device. Said control system includes a control circuit carried by a skin patch that is adapted to be attached to the outer surface of the skin layer of a patient.