Remote Data Monitor For Heart Pump System

• US 20090226328A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ReliantHeart Inc.
• Original Assignee: MicroMed Technology, Inc (MicroMed Cardiovascular, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morello, Gino F.
• Application Number:
  US11/720,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20090226328A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/237 the blood flow through the rotating member having mainly axial components, e.g. axial flow pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/422 the force acting on the blood contacting member being electromagnetic, e.g. using canned motor pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/523 using blood flow data, e.g. from blood flow transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/546 of blood flow, e.g. by adapting rotor speed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/585 User interfaces

Abstract

A pump control system includes a controller module for controlling a pump, such as an implantable blood pump. A remote monitor is adapted to communicate with the controller module via a wireless communications medium, such as a low-power radio s frequency link. The remote monitor provides a user interface similar or identical to the controller module, providing a user the ability to remotely monitor the pump'"'"'s performance and to respond to alarms.

Claims

1. A pump control system comprising:

a controller module connectable to an implanted heart pump; and

a monitor module adapted to communicate with the controller module via a wireless communications medium.

2. The pump control system of claim 1, wherein the controller module includes:

a processor;

a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor, the motor controller adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed, the motor controller adapted to output digital representations of pump motor operating parameters to the processor;

a user interface coupled to the processor; and

wherein the monitor module includes a user interface.

3. The pump control system of claim 1, wherein the controller module user interface matches the monitor module user interface.

4. The pump control system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications medium is a bi-directional radio frequency (RF) fink.

5. The pump control system of claim 1, wherein monitor module includes a device for attaching to a user'"'"'s wrist.

6. The pump control system of claim 1, wherein monitor module includes a device for attaching to a user'"'"'s belt.

7. The pump control system of claim 1, wherein monitor module includes a device for receiving and outputting audio signals.

8. The pump control system of claim 1, wherein monitor module is programmed to periodically transmit status information to the controller module.

9. A method of operating a blood pump, comprising:

connecting a controller module to a blood pump; and

transmitting data between a monitor module and the controller module via a wireless communications medium.

10. The method of claim 9, transmitting data includes transmitting functional and alarm messages.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

powering the pump such that the pump operates at a desired speed;

outputting digital representations of pump operating parameters on a user interface of the controller module;

transmitting the pump operating parameters to the monitor module; and

displaying the pump operating parameters on a user interface of the monitor module.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting data includes transmitting via a bi-directional radio frequency (RF) link.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

attaching the monitor module to a user'"'"'s wrist.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching the monitor module to a user'"'"'s belt.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising transmitting status information from the module to the controller module.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting status information includes transmitting received signal strength information.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising varying the transmit output power of the controller module in response to the received signal strength information.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein a plurality of controller modules are connected to a plurality of corresponding blood pumps, and wherein one monitor module communicates with the plurality of controller modules.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein a plurality of controller modules are connected to a plurality of corresponding blood pumps, and wherein each of the controller modules communicates with a corresponding monitor module on a predetermined frequency.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein data transmitted from the controller module includes the address of the intended monitor module.

21. The method of claim 9, wherein a plurality of monitor modules communicate with a single controller module.

22. The method of claim 9, wherein the controller module verifies that no other controller module is transmitting before transmitting data to the monitor module.