Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable interatrial shunting systems that selectively control blood flow between the left atrium and the right atrium of a patient. The adjustable interatrial devices include a shunting element having an outer surface configured to engage native tissue and an inner surface defining a lumen that enables blood to flow from the left atrium to the right atrium when the system is deployed across the septal wall. The systems can include an actuation assembly for selectively adjusting a geometry of the lumen and/or a geometry of a lumen orifice to control the flow of blood through the lumen.

Abstract: The present technology generally relates to a sensor assembly for an implantable medical device. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a housing having a cavity, and a measurement component positioned within the cavity. When the medical device is implanted within a patient, the sensor can be configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of the patient. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly further includes a coupling element positioned within the cavity and at least partially covering, contacting, or encapsulating the measurement component. The coupling element can be configured to transmit or convey the one or more physiological parameters to the measurement component, such that the measurement component can measure the one or more physiological parameters without exposure to an environment external to the sensor assembly.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunting systems having a shunting element, a shape memory actuator, and a lumen extending therethrough for transporting fluid. The shape memory actuator can have a plurality of struts proximate the shunting element and a plurality of projections extending from the plurality of struts. In operation, the shape memory actuator can be used to adjust a geometry of the lumen. In some embodiments, the system is configured such that (a) any strain in the shape memory actuator is concentrated in the struts, and/or (b) the struts experience greater resistive heating than the projections when an electrical current is applied to the actuator.

Abstract: The present technology relates to interatrial shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a method for monitoring a shunting element implanted in a patient and having a lumen fluidly coupling cavities of the patient's heart. The method can comprise obtaining first and second radiographic images of at least two radiopaque elements associated with the lumen of the shunting element. A spatial relationship between the radiopaque elements varies according to a size of the lumen. The first radiographic image can be taken from a first viewing angle and the second radiographic image can be taken from a second viewing angle generally orthonormal to the first viewing angle. The method also includes determining the size of the lumen based, at least in part. on locations of the radiopaque elements in the first and second radiographic images.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable interatrial shunting systems that selectively control blood flow between the left atrium and the right atrium of a patient. The adjustable interatrial devices include a shunting element having an outer surface configured to engage native tissue and an inner surface defining a lumen that enables blood to flow from the left atrium to the right atrium when the system is deployed across the septal wall. The systems can include an actuation assembly for selectively adjusting a geometry of the lumen and/or a geometry of a lumen orifice to control the flow of blood through the lumen.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system includes a ventricular assist device (VAD) and a controller. The VAD is attachable to a heart of a patient to pump blood from a ventricle of the heart into a blood vessel of the patient. The VAD includes an impeller, a motor stator operable to rotate the impeller, and an accelerometer generating an accelerometer output indicative of accelerations of the VAD. The controller is configured to process the accelerometer output to generate patient monitoring data for the patient.

Abstract: A system for delivering energy to implanted devices using electromagnetic wireless charging and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system includes an energy transmission device and an implanted device. The energy transmission device can include multiple transmission coils, while the implanted device can include one or more receiving coils and one or more chargeable energy storage components. The transmission coils on the energy transmission device can each be energized to generate an electromagnetic field. When the implanted device is positioned within range of the energy transmission device, the receiving coils in the implanted device interact with the electromagnetic fields to generate a current. The current is used to charge the energy storage components.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunting systems having a shunting element, a shape memory actuator, and a lumen extending therethrough for transporting fluid. The shape memory actuator can have a plurality of struts proximate the shunting element and a plurality of projections extending from the plurality of struts. In operation, the shape memory actuator can be used to adjust a geometry of the lumen. In some embodiments, the system is configured such that (a) any strain in the shape memory actuator is concentrated in the struts, and/or (b) the struts experience greater resistive heating than the projections when an electrical current is applied to the actuator.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices including one or more communication elements configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals. The one or more communication elements can be coupled to one or more components of the device. The communication signals can be used to control, transmit, and/or to receive information from one or more of the components. The communication element(s) can additionally be coupled to a power source and used to transfer power to the components, and/or to transfer operational signals from a first component to a second component. The communication element(s) can be configured to perform a first function at a first (e.g., high) frequency or frequency range, and to perform a second function at a second (e.g., low) frequency or frequency range.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system includes a ventricular assist device (VAD) and a controller. The VAD is attachable to a heart of a patient to pump blood from a ventricle of the heart into a blood vessel of the patient. The VAD includes an impeller, a motor stator operable to rotate the impeller, and an accelerometer generating an accelerometer output indicative of accelerations of the VAD. The controller controls operation of the motor stator to control rotational speed of the impeller based on the accelerometer output.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to medical systems having sensors and diaphragms. The sensor device can include a body having a diaphragm. The diaphragm can be formed, for example, by applying a force to the body to create an impression or pattern that corresponds to the diaphragm. The sensor device can be positioned at least partially within a body cavity, and the diaphragm can be configured to flex or bend in response to one or more physiological parameters in the body cavity. In some embodiments, the sensor device can include one or more sensor measurement components configured to measure the one or more physiological parameters based on the flexing or bending of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for supplying power to a medical device. A medical system includes a medical service and a base module. The medical device is configured to be worn by a user or implanted in the user. The base module is configured to control operation of the medical device and supply electrical power to the medical device. The base module includes a base module input connector that includes two power connectors, two ground connectors, and a data connector arranged in a symmetrical arrangement that accommodates two opposite connection orientations of a mating input connector with the base module input connector.

Abstract: The present technology includes systems and methods for invasively adjusting implantable devices for selectively controlling fluid flow between a first body region and a second body region of a patient. For example, in many of the embodiments described herein, a catheter can be used to mechanically and/or electrically engage an implanted medical device. Once the catheter engages the medical device, the catheter can (i) increase a dimension associated with the medical device, such as through mechanical expansion forces, and/or (ii) decrease a dimension associated with the medical device, such as by heating a shape memory component of the medical device above a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for supplying power to a medical device employ serially-connectable portable batteries. A method of supplying electrical power to a medical device includes discharging a first external battery to output electrical power to a second external battery. Distribution of the electrical power received by the second external battery is controlled to simultaneously charge the second external battery and output electrical power from the second external battery to supply electrical power to the medical device.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical devices and associated methods. For example, a system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include a body implantable into a patient and configured to undergo a shape change, the body having a conductive path with variable conductivity in portions thereof for selective and/or preferential heating. The body can be coupled with an energy source that can delivery energy to the body and/or conductive path, to promote the shape change in the body.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to measuring, estimating, or otherwise determining extravascular lung water (EVLW) in a patient. The systems can include a first device configured to be implanted in the patient and a second device configured to remain external to the patient. The first device can transmit electromagnetic energy, receive electromagnetic energy, or both transmit and receive electromagnetic energy. Likewise, the second device can receive electromagnetic energy, transmit electromagnetic energy, or both receive and transmit electromagnetic energy. In operation, an electromagnetic energy transmission pathway between the first device and the second device can include the patient's lungs. Accordingly, the system can determine EVLW in the patient based at least in part on an attenuation or phase shift of electromagnetic energy transmitted between the first device and the second device along the transmission path.

Abstract: The present technology includes systems and methods for invasively adjusting implantable devices for selectively controlling fluid flow between a first body region and a second body region of a patient. For example, in many of the embodiments described herein, a catheter can be used to mechanically and/or electrically engage an implanted medical device. Once the catheter engages the medical device, the catheter can (i) increase a dimension associated with the medical device, such as through mechanical expansion forces, and/or (ii) decrease a dimension associated with the medical device, such as by heating a shape memory component of the medical device above a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: The present technology relates to shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a method for monitoring a shunting element implanted in a patient and having a lumen fluidly coupling two body regions. The method can comprise applying an electrical input to a first contact region and a second contact region of the shunting element. The method can also include measuring an electrical output that results from the electrical input. The method can further include calculating, via the processor, an electrical parameter associated with the shunting element based, at least in part, on the electrical output. The electrical parameter can vary based on a size of the lumen of the shunting element. The method can determine, via the processor, the size of a portion of the lumen based, at least in part, on the electrical parameter.

Abstract: The present technology relates to interatrial shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a method for monitoring a shunting element implanted in a patient and having a lumen fluidly coupling cavities of the patient's heart. The method can comprise obtaining first and second radiographic images of at least two radiopaque elements associated with the lumen of the shunting element. A spatial relationship between the radiopaque elements varies according to a size of the lumen. The first radiographic image can be taken from a first viewing angle and the second radiographic image can be taken from a second viewing angle generally orthonormal to the first viewing an The method also includes determining the size of the lumen based, at least in part. on locations of the radiopaque elements in the first and second radiographic images.

Abstract: The present technology includes systems and methods for invasively adjusting implantable devices for selectively controlling fluid flow between a first body region and a second body region of a patient. For example, in many of the embodiments described herein, a catheter can be used to mechanically and/or electrically engage an implanted medical device. Once the catheter engages the medical device, the catheter can (i) increase a dimension associated with the medical device, such as through mechanical expansion forces, and/or (ii) decrease a dimension associated with the medical device, such as by heating a shape memory component of the medical device above a phase transition temperature.