Heart assist system

• US 8,157,720 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Circulite Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Circulite Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Marseille, Oliver, Kerkhoffs, Wolfgang, Schumacher, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Niketa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Holmes, Rex R
• Application Number:
  US11/627,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20070197854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,908 Days
• Field of Search: 600 16- 18
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• 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 60/515 Regulation using real-time patient data
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/523 using blood flow data, e.g. from blood flow transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/531 using blood pressure data, e.g. from blood pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/538 Regulation using real-time blood pump operational parameter data, e.g. motor current
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/546 of blood flow, e.g. by adapting rotor speed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/554 of blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/585 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/592 Communication of patient or blood pump data to distant operators for treatment purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/871 Energy supply devices; Converters therefor

Abstract

A supplemental blood flow system for assisting with blood circulation in a patient. The system includes a supplemental blood flow device implantable in the patient and a controller for directing electrical power to the supplemental blood flow device and controlling the flow rate of blood through the device. The controller includes first and second power inlets and a power outlet. The power outlet is adapted to be coupled to an electrical line leading to the supplemental blood flow device. A portable programming module may be coupled to at least one of the first and second power inlets and operable to allow pump operating parameters stored in the controller to be changed according to the needs of the patient.

Claims

1. A supplemental blood flow system for assisting with blood circulation in a patient, the system comprising:

a supplemental blood flow device implantable in the patient,

a controller configured to direct electrical power to the supplemental blood flow device and controlling the flow rate of blood through the device, the controller having first and second power inlets and a power outlet, the power outlet adapted to be coupled to an electrical line leading to the supplemental blood flow device,

a portable programming module coupled to the first power inlet and configured to allow pump operating parameters stored in the controller to be changed according to the needs of the patient, and

at least one power supply unit configured to be coupled to the first and second power inlets, the at least one power supply unit including a power adaptor coupled to the portable programming module and a battery coupled to the second power inlet, wherein the power adaptor supplies power to the portable programming module, through the portable programming module and the first power inlet to the controller, and through the controller and the second power inlet to the battery, to thereby charge the battery with power supplied through the controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power supply unit comprises first and second power supply units capable of being electrically connected to the first and second power inlets.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second power supply units may be electrically connected to the programming module.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second power supply units respectively comprise first and second batteries.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second power supply units comprises an AC to DC adaptor.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second power supply units comprises a DC to DC adaptor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is capable of one way data transmission to a computer.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller includes a wireless transmitter for effecting the data transmission.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is operative to sense when the first battery is not supplying adequate electrical power and, as a result, direct electrical power from the second battery to the supplemental blood flow device.