TEST CONTROLLER FOR A ROTARY PUMP

• US 20110200451A1
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Circulite Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Circulite Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lehmann, Kirk A., Vohburger, Christian W., Marseille, Oliver K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,841,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/42
• 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 60/216 including a rotating member acting on the blood, e.g. impeller
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/0209 Rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 51/00 Testing machines, pumps, or pumping installations
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0088 Testing machines

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.

Claims

1. A test controller for operating a rotary pump motor of a pump, the rotary pump motor having a predetermined operating speed, comprising:

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 that is lower than the predetermined operating speed of the pump motor; and

an actuator configured to selectively activate the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor to rotate at the predetermined test speed.

2. The test controller of claim 1, wherein the predetermined operating speed is from about 20,000 rotations-per-minute to about 28,000 rotations-per-minute, and the predetermined test speed is from about 780 rotations-per-minute to about 1180 rotations-per-minute.

3. The test controller of claim 1, further comprising:

a timing circuit electrically coupled to the test speed circuit and the actuator, the timing circuit operating with the test speed circuit and the actuator to discontinue the at least one signal to the pump motor after a predetermined period of time in response to continuous activation of the actuator.

4. The test controller of claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is from about four to about six seconds.

5. The test controller of claim 1, wherein the test speed circuit is configured to produce the at least one signal during selective activation of the actuator.

6. The test controller of claim 1, wherein the test speed circuit is electrically coupled to, but detachable from, a power supply for the pump to transform a power signal from the power supply into the at least one signal.

7. The test controller of claim 1, wherein the pump is an implantable pump and wherein the pump motor is an impeller.

8. A test controller for operating a rotary pump motor of a pump having a predetermined operating speed, comprising:

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 for a predetermined test time; and

an actuator configured to selectively activate the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor for the predetermined test time.

9. The test controller of claim 8, wherein the predetermined test time is from about four to about six seconds.

10. The test controller of claim 8, further comprising:

a speed circuit electrically coupled to the test time circuit and the actuator, the speed circuit operating with the test time circuit and the actuator to adjust a component of each at least signal to the pump motor to operate the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed.

11. The test controller of claim 10, wherein the predetermined test speed is from about 780 rotations-per-minute to about 1180 rotations-per-minute.

12. The test controller of claim 8, wherein the test time circuit is configured to apply the at least one signal to the pump motor for from about four seconds to about six seconds upon continuous activation of the actuator.

13. The test controller of claim 8, wherein the test time circuit is configured to apply the at least one signal upon selective activation of the actuator.

14. The test controller of claim 8, wherein the test time circuit is electrically coupled to, but detachable from, a power supply for the pump to transform a power signal from the power supply into the at least one signal.

15. The test controller of claim 8, wherein the pump is an implantable pump and the pump motor is an impeller.

16. A method for testing the operation of a rotary pump motor of a pump with a test controller, the test controller including a test speed circuit and an actuator, the method comprising:

electrically coupling the test controller to the pump;

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 cause the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed that is lower than a predetermined operating speed of the pump motor; and

detaching the test controller from the pump.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined operating speed is from about 20,000 rotations-per-minute to about 28,000 rotations-per-minute, and the predetermined test speed is from about 780 rotations-per-minute to about 1180 rotations-per-minute.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one signal is applied for a predetermined time.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined time is from about four seconds to about six seconds.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

electrically coupling the test controller to a power supply for the pump; and

transforming a power signal from the power supply into the at least one signal.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the pump is an implantable pump and wherein the pump motor is an impeller.

22. A method for testing the operation of a rotary pump motor of a pump with a test controller, the test controller including a test time circuit and an actuator, the method comprising:

electrically coupling the test controller to the pump; and

in response to selective activation of the actuator, selectively activating the test time circuit to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate for a predetermined test time that is less than a normal operating time for the pump motor; and

detaching the test controller from the pump.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined test time is from about four seconds to about six seconds.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one signal causes the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed that is lower than a predetermined operating speed of the pump motor.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the predetermined operating speed is from about 20,000 rotations-per-minute to about 28,000 rotations-per-minute, and the predetermined test speed is from about 780 rotations-per-minute to about 1180 rotations-per-minute.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

electrically coupling the test controller to a power supply for the pump; and

transforming a power signal from the power supply into the at least one signal.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the pump is an implantable pump and wherein the pump motor is an impeller.