A controller for an implantable blood pump includes processing circuitry configured to initiate a suction response algorithm if a combination of a number of detected suction events multiplied by a suction event variable and a number of non-suction events multiplied by a non-suction event variable exceed a predetermined threshold.

A control device (100) for controlling the rotational speed (n.sub.VAD(t)) of a non-pulsatile ventricular assist device, VAD, (50) uses an event-based within-a-beat control strategy, wherein the control device is configured to alter the rotational speed of the VAD within the cardiac cycle of the assisted heart and to synchronize the alteration of the rotational speed with the heartbeat by at least one sequence of trigger signals (σ(t)) that is related to at least one predetermined characteristic event in the cardiac cycle. Further, a VAD (50) for assistance of a heart comprises the control device (100) for controlling the VAD, wherein the VAD is preferably a non-pulsatile rotational, for example catheter-based, blood pump.

A ventricular assist device is provided, including a blood pump, a driveline and a feedthrough. The blood pump includes a pump housing, an axi-symmetric oval-shaped blood sac and stem assembly received in the pump housing, and a pressure sensing system embedded in the pump housing. The driveline includes a pneumatic lumen, at least one electric wire and a tether included in a wall of the driveline, wherein the electric wires and the tether are disposed on the pneumatic lumen. The feedthrough connects the driveline to the pump housing.

A ventricular assist device is provided, including a blood pump, a driveline and a feedthrough. The blood pump includes a pump housing, an axi-symmetric oval-shaped blood sac and stem assembly received in the pump housing, and a pressure sensing system embedded in the pump housing. The driveline includes a pneumatic lumen, at least one electric wire and a tether included in a wall of the driveline, wherein the electric wires and the tether are disposed on the pneumatic lumen. The feedthrough connects the driveline to the pump housing.

A system and method for identifying a disruption of a flow from an extracorporeal circuit to a patient circulatory system is based on flow rate data, such as from a venous line of the extracorporeal circuit. A patient contribution to the flow rate data is identified and monitored to assess a disruption of the extracorporeal circuit and the patient circulatory system, or access device. A spectrum analysis can be performed on the flow rate data to identify a harmonic corresponding to the patient contribution, wherein a change in or disappearance of the identified harmonic can be used to identify a disruption of the flow.

A system and method for identifying a disruption of a flow from an extracorporeal circuit to a patient circulatory system is based on flow rate data, such as from a venous line of the extracorporeal circuit. A patient contribution to the flow rate data is identified and monitored to assess a disruption of the extracorporeal circuit and the patient circulatory system, or access device. A spectrum analysis can be performed on the flow rate data to identify a harmonic corresponding to the patient contribution, wherein a change in or disappearance of the identified harmonic can be used to identify a disruption of the flow.

The present invention provides an intravascular blood pump system with an external motor and comprising an impeller housing and/or impeller blade(s) that may be expandable and collapsible. The blade(s) and/or impeller housing may be biased to expand or may be expanded by centrifugal forces generated during rotation of the impeller and blades an operatively connected rotational external motor.

The present invention provides an intravascular blood pump system with an external motor and comprising an impeller housing and/or impeller blade(s) that may be expandable and collapsible. The blade(s) and/or impeller housing may be biased to expand or may be expanded by centrifugal forces generated during rotation of the impeller and blades an operatively connected rotational external motor.

A control system for a perfusion system (1), the control system being configured to control a plurality of blood flow rates in the perfusion system during a weaning phase. The perfusion system comprises: a first blood line (26) in which blood is permitted to flow at a first flow rate; a second blood line (34) in which blood is permitted to flow at a second flow rate; an arterial blood line (22) in which blood is permitted to flow at an arterial flow rate; and an arterial pump (20) configured to circulate blood at the arterial flow rate in the arterial blood line. The control system comprises a controller configured to determine the first flow rate and the second flow rate and to process the first and second flow rates to determine a desired arterial flow rate. The controller is configured to operate in a first mode in which the controller modulates operation of the arterial pump (20) to adjust the arterial flow rate so that the arterial flow rate matches the desired arterial flow rate.

A control system for a perfusion system (1), the control system being configured to control a plurality of blood flow rates in the perfusion system during a weaning phase. The perfusion system comprises: a first blood line (26) in which blood is permitted to flow at a first flow rate; a second blood line (34) in which blood is permitted to flow at a second flow rate; an arterial blood line (22) in which blood is permitted to flow at an arterial flow rate; and an arterial pump (20) configured to circulate blood at the arterial flow rate in the arterial blood line. The control system comprises a controller configured to determine the first flow rate and the second flow rate and to process the first and second flow rates to determine a desired arterial flow rate. The controller is configured to operate in a first mode in which the controller modulates operation of the arterial pump (20) to adjust the arterial flow rate so that the arterial flow rate matches the desired arterial flow rate.