A method of cooling a mammal with an implantable blood pump. The method includes measuring a temperature of an internal controller, the internal controller being in communication with the implantable blood pump. an alert is generated if the temperature of the internal controller exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold.

A remote controller updating system for an implantable blood pump including an implantable blood pump, an implantable controller coupled to the implantable blood pump, and a pump driveline including a data network connection in communication with the implantable controller. The system may also include a pump connector coupled to the pump driveline, a remote controller couplable to the implantable blood pump, and a system update assembly including a system update connector couplable to the pump connector and a power source coupled to the system update connector.

The invention relates to a method for detecting a state of wear of a cardiac support system. The method comprises a read-in step and a determination step. During the read-in step, a sensor signal (315) representing an operating state of the cardiac support system is read in. During the determination step, a wear signal (325) is determined using the sensor signal (315) and a comparison rule (320). The wear signal (325) represents the wear condition.

A device for controlling the functioning of a cardiac prosthesis, the device for controlling includes a control path, the control path having a control system designed and arranged to monitor and regulate the electrical supply of a cardiac prosthesis; a first insulating system designed and arranged to electrically insulate the cardiac prosthesis from the electrical supply; and a controller designed and arranged to monitor and regulate the electrical supply.

A connector unit for a control unit is configured to control an implantable blood pump. The connector unit includes a supply interface designed for connecting the connector unit to a power supply, a data interface designed for connecting the connector unit to a data processing unit, and a control interface designed for connecting the connector unit to an integrated interface of the control unit. A supply connection of the control unit to the power supply and a data connection of the control unit to the data processing unit can be established at the same time by means of the connector unit. The application furthermore relates to a control unit for controlling an implantable blood pump and to a control system for an implantable blood pump.

A hybrid powering system for an implanted medical device combines wireless power transfer with transcutaneous wired power transfer and/or control. A ventricular assist device (VAD) can include an implantable controller with a rechargeable battery, and an implantable power receiver antenna for receiving wireless power from a transmitter located outside of the patient's body. The power receiver charges the battery and allows the controller to drive the VAD. The system also includes the ability to connect a hardwired connection via a connector device configured to be implanted percutaneously. The connector device provides a socket for an external power source or an external controller to plug directly into the system, providing hardwired power and/or control to the implanted VAD. When an external controller is connected it causes the implanted controller to stop driving the VAD, in order to avoid short circuiting the VAD. The percutaneous connector device can be used as a backup power source in case the wireless connection fails, or it can be used discretionally, such as for overnight charging.

A method of determining a cumulative presence of suction in a patient having an implanted blood pump including determining whether at least one suction event occurred during a predetermined time interval for a predetermined number of time intervals and determining the cumulative presence of suction by dividing a sum of a number of predetermined time intervals in which at least one suction event occurred by the predetermined number of time intervals.

A method of determining a cumulative presence of suction in a patient having an implanted blood pump including determining whether at least one suction event occurred during a predetermined time interval for a predetermined number of time intervals and determining the cumulative presence of suction by dividing a sum of a number of predetermined time intervals in which at least one suction event occurred by the predetermined number of time intervals.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for optimizing management of one or more implanted artificial heart pumps. An example method includes wirelessly retrieving, via one or more portable diagnostic devices, data regarding the one or more implanted artificial heart pumps. The example method further includes analyzing, by a server device, performance characteristics of the one or more implanted artificial heart pumps based on the retrieved data. The example method further includes causing rendering of the performance characteristics. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are contemplated.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for optimizing management of one or more implanted artificial heart pumps. An example method includes wirelessly retrieving, via one or more portable diagnostic devices, data regarding the one or more implanted artificial heart pumps. The example method further includes analyzing, by a server device, performance characteristics of the one or more implanted artificial heart pumps based on the retrieved data. The example method further includes causing rendering of the performance characteristics. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are contemplated.