237 results about "Ventricular assistance" patented technology

Various devices, systems and methods for providing effective, long term and reliable use of pressure feedback in VADs. Exemplary embodiments are described which provide for direct LV pressure measurement, non-invasive calibration techniques to detect ventricular collapse and recalibrate the feedback mechanism, improved pressure sensor designs with reduced drift, and barometric pressure correction schemes. These devices and methods may be used alone or in combination with each other, and may also be combined with other feedback mechanisms.

An improved inflow conduit for an implantable ventricular assist device comprising covering the flexible porous tubular graft body of the conduit with an attached non-porous polymer to produce a non-porous conduit. The flexible conduit has an upstream end and a downstream end, a ventricular attachment structure to which the upstream end of the body connects; and a coupling fitting on the downstream end of the body. Also taught is a combination of the improved inflow conduit with an implantable ventricular assist device. A method for the treatment of congestive heart failure, comprising implanting the implantable ventricular assist device in a patient in need of such treatment, as well as an article of manufacture, comprising packaging material and the implantable ventricular assist device contained within the packaging material are also provided.

The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for control of ventricular assist devices. The invention includes an implantable controller that is operatively programmed to direct physiological flow through a ventricular assist device that is substantially synchronized to the cardiac cycle of the subject. The implantable controller is also communicatively connected to an external control unit, such that the implantable controller can transmit data to the external control unit, and instructions can be sent from the external control unit to the implantable controller.

A system delivers combined ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy and chemical and/or biological therapy to modulate myocardial tissue growth in a heart after myocardial infarction (MI). The system includes an agent delivery device to release one or more agents to an MI region to modulate myocardial tissue growth in that region, and a VAD to enhance the effects of the one or more agents by reducing myocardial wall stress and the overall cardiac workload. In one embodiment, the system is an implantable system including an implantable agent delivery device and an implantable VAD for long-term use in a patient.

There is disclosed apparatus and methods for providing a reserve power source for a ventricular assist device. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a primary power source for powering the device, and a controller housing having a reserve battery for powering the device when the primary power source provides inadequate power, and the controller housing configured for use externally of the patient with a percutaneous cable to the device. In another embodiment, a method includes powering the device with a primary power source, monitoring power provided to the device, powering the device when the power is monitored as inadequate to the device with a reserve power source disposed within a controller housing, the device disposed subcutaneously within a patient, the controller housing disposed externally of the patient, and the device and the controller housing connected by a percutaneous cable. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

A plug which may be positioned in place of a Ventricular Assist Device (“VAD”) within a VAD connector mounted to the heart. The VAD connector may have at least one VAD-engaging feature and may define an opening. The plug may have a body adapted to fill the opening of the VAD connector and may engage the VAD connector. The plug may be installed in place of a VAD when the heart heals, and then removed and replaced by a VAD if the patient's condition deteriorates.

A pumping system for assisting either or both ventricles of the heart. In one embodiment, separate devices are provided for each ventricle. In another embodiment, one device provides both right and left pumping. The pumping system is small, efficient, atraumatic, and fully implantable. In addition, the pumping system can provide pulsatile flow during systole. The ventricular assist device includes an actuator plate between a pair of serially connected pumping chambers that operate in a two-stroke mode, specifically a power stroke and a transfer stroke. The ventricular assist device also includes an electromagnetic drive system that provides adjustment to the pump pressure according to the current through an electromagnet. For the pumping system, springs provide a “spring force” on the actuator plate that is towards the high-pressure pump chamber. The bias force allows the springs to store and deliver energy from the electromagnetic drive system to provide better utilization of the pump components, and to reduce the pump size and consumption of electricity.

Systems and methods for coupling devices such as a ventricular assist device to vascular tissues, such as a heart. In one version, a method is provided for attaching a device to vascular tissue for fluid flow. The device includes a cannula coupled to a cuff, and the method includes coupling the cuff to the vascular tissue, penetrating the vascular tissue by inserting a penetration device through the cannula, and inserting a first end of the cannula through the cuff and into the vascular tissue.

Methods and apparatus for controlling the operation of, and providing power for and to, implantable ventricular assist devices which include a brushless DC motor-driven blood pump, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a control system for driving an implantable pump is provided. The digital processor is responsive to data associated with the operation of the pump received at the data transfer port, and from the program data stored in memory, (i) to determine therefrom, the identity of the pump, (ii) to determine therefrom, electrical characteristics and features of the identified pump, and (iii) to adaptively generate and apply to the data port, control signals for driving the identified pump. Latch mechanisms, an elongated flexible electrical cable with a strain relief segment, and a lower housing portion that is heavier than an upper housing portion, may also be provided with the control system.

A conduit assembly for attachment to a mechanical circulatory device, such as a VAD, and a method of using the same. The conduit assembly includes a conduit for conducting blood between a patient and the mechanical circulatory device, the conduit having a first curved conduit and a second curved conduit. A first coupling attaches a first end of the first curved conduit to the mechanical circulatory device, the coupling being movable between a rotatable position in which the first curved conduit is rotatable relative to the mechanical circulatory device, and a fixed position in which the first curved conduit is fixedly positioned relative to the mechanical circulatory device. The conduit assembly further includes a second coupling for attaching a second end of the first curved conduit to the second curved conduit, the second coupling being movable between a rotatable position in which the first curved conduit is rotatable relative to the second curved conduit, and a fixed position in which the first curved conduit is fixedly positioned relative to the second curved conduit.

A therapeutic apparatus for delivering at least one therapeutic agent directly and preferentially to a desired tissue to be treated, comprising at least one membrane adapted to deliver the therapeutic agent to the desired tissue, wherein the membrane is in contact with at least a part of the desired tissue to be treated; and at least one shell surrounding the membrane, wherein the shell isolates the membrane from tissues other than the desired tissue to be treated. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a direct mechanical ventricular assistance apparatus comprising a liner in which the membrane is formed.

A ventricular assist device comprising a housing defining an interior space, at least two ports opening into said interior space, and at least one pump for pumping blood between the ports through said interior space, the ports and interior space providing a continuous blood flow path that is not interrupted by valves.

A method and apparatus for determination of cardiac function by monitoring left ventricular (LV) pressure and varying ventricular assist device (VAD) speed, utilizes a relationship of the end-diastolic LV pressure (LVEDP) to an estimate of LV work calculated from the LV pressure signal by the triple product (TP): dp/dtmax*HR*LVSP, wherein the slope of a regression analysis of the comparison of TP vs LVEDP is indicative of a patient's cardiac efficiency and analogous and comparable to preload recruitable stroke work as calculated from direct volume measurement of the LV, and of native cardiac function of a patient supported by a VAD, and related control systems for a VAD for controlling operation of the VAD according to the method.

A medical device comprises a pump adapted to fit within an atrium of a heart, said pump comprising an inlet and an outlet. The device further comprises a flexible outflow conduit coupled to said outlet. A method of assisting ventricular function of a heart of a patient comprises: a) inserting a continuous flow pump having an inlet and an outlet into the heart via a subclavian or jugular vein; b) attaching the outlet of the continuous flow pump to an atrial septum, wherein the inlet of the continuous flow pump is directed into a heart atrium; c) attaching the distal end of the outflow conduit to an artery; and d) operating the pump at a volumetric rate ranging from about 2 L/min to about 3 L/min.

A method for treating cardiac failure such as congestive heart failure by application of hypothermia. Hypothermia may be applied by endovascular cooling using a heat exchange catheter circulating heat exchange fluid between an external heat exchanger controlled using temperature feedback from a temperature probe on or in the patient to cool the heart to a sufficiently low temperature for a sufficient length of time to increase cardiac output and improve the vascular condition of the patient. The patient may be maintained in the hypothermic condition for a period of time and is then re-warmed slowly and controllably. The endovascular temperature management may be controlled automatically in response to a temperature probe on the patient, and shivering while the patient is cool may be combated using surface warming and anti-shivering drugs. The method is applicable to treat congestive heart failure and may be used repeatedly on the same patient to restore that patient to adequate heart function when the vascular condition of that patient has become unacceptable. The method may be used to maintain a patient until a heart transplant becomes available. The method may be used to stabilize a patient's condition to allow needed surgery or intervention. The method may be used in conjunction with other treatments including drugs, balloon pumps, pacing devices and ventricular assist devices.

A system for assisting the right heart of a patient includes a PA cannula adapted for insertion into a PA of a patient through the right internal jugular vein of the patient. The system includes a percutaneous RA cannula adapted for insertion into an RA of the patient. The system includes a blood pump disposed outside of the patient to which the RA cannula and the PA cannula are connected to provide right ventricular circulatory support to the patient without any left ventricular assist. A method for assisting the right heart of a patient includes the steps of inserting a PA cannula into a PA of a patient. There is the step of inserting an RA cannula into an RA of the patient. There is the step of connecting the RA cannula and the PA cannula to a blood pump disposed outside of the patient. There is the step of activating the blood pump to provide right ventricular circulatory support to assist the heart of the patient.

A Minimally Invasive Ventricular Assist Device for circulatory support of a failing heart apt to be inserted percutaneously bluntly via a thoracostomy a into a chest cavity of a patient in cardiac failure or cardiac arrest without the need for wide surgical opening of the chest. The device once deployed inside the chest is capable of compressing and decompressing the heart via pneumatic or mechanical means providing circulatory support to patients in cardiac failure or cardiac arrest. Due to its design and structure the Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device can be deployed rapidly and safely at bedside by health care professionals properly trained in the procedure.