An apparatus for controlling the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct of a patient, that comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct. The apparatus can be used for actively moving the gallstones in the lumen, with a low risk of injuring the biliary duct.

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 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 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.

An intravascular blood pump for percutaneous insertion comprises a catheter (10) and a pumping device (1) attached to the catheter (10). The catheter (10) extends along a longitudinal axis and has a distal end (11) and a proximal end (12) opposite the distal end (11). The catheter (10) comprises an elongate stiffening structure (15) extending continuously longitudinally along the length of the catheter (10) between the proximal end (11) and the distal end (12) of the catheter (10). The stiffening structure (15) may comprise a shape-memory material, such as Nitinol. It may be in the form of a wire that extends loosely through the lumen of the catheter and helps to avoid or significantly reduce kinks in the catheter.

An intravascular blood pump for percutaneous insertion comprises a catheter (10) and a pumping device (1) attached to the catheter (10). The catheter (10) extends along a longitudinal axis and has a distal end (11) and a proximal end (12) opposite the distal end (11). The catheter (10) comprises an elongate stiffening structure (15) extending continuously longitudinally along the length of the catheter (10) between the proximal end (11) and the distal end (12) of the catheter (10). The stiffening structure (15) may comprise a shape-memory material, such as Nitinol. It may be in the form of a wire that extends loosely through the lumen of the catheter and helps to avoid or significantly reduce kinks in the catheter.

A device, a kit and a method are presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The basis for the presented innovation is an augmentation of the physiologically up and down movement of the mitral valve during each heart cycle. By means of catheter technique, minimal surgery, or open-heart surgery implants are inserted into the left ventricle, the mitral valve annulus, the left atrium and adjacent tissue in order to augment the natural up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving towards the apex of said heart in systole and/or away from said apex in diastole.

A device, a kit and a method are presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The basis for the presented innovation is an augmentation of the physiologically up and down movement of the mitral valve during each heart cycle. By means of catheter technique, minimal surgery, or open-heart surgery implants are inserted into the left ventricle, the mitral valve annulus, the left atrium and adjacent tissue in order to augment the natural up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving towards the apex of said heart in systole and/or away from said apex in diastole.

An implantable blood pump includes a tube including an inner wall, and wherein during operation of the blood pump, the impeller rotates within the tube and a distance between the inner wall of the tube and the thrust bearing decreases as a speed of the impeller increases.