A heart pump device may be provided with an implantable heart pump, which has at least one sensor, wherein at least one of the sensors is a sensor for a rotor of the heart pump, and with a control device, which is connected to the heart pump by means of a transcutaneous line, characterised by a signal processing device, which on the one hand is connected by means of the transcutaneous line to the control device, and which on the other hand is connected to at least one sensor of the heart pump and transmits signals of at least one sensor via the transcutaneous line to the control unit. The signal processing device may be for a pre-processing of the sensor data for more efficient transmission via the transcutaneous line.

A ventricular assist device includes a pump including a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a moveable element disposed in the housing for urging blood from the inlet to the outlet. An outflow cannula having a proximal end attached to the pump housing, a distal end remote from the pump housing, an interior bore in communication with the outlet of the pump housing, and at least one outlet aperture communicating with the interior bore remote from the pump housing is included. At least one sensor mounted to the outflow cannula and configured to detect a parameter of blood flowing at least one from the group consisting of through the outflow cannula and about an exterior of the outflow cannula is included.

Systems and methods are provided herein for estimating a position of a heart pump system in a patient. The system receives first data indicative of a time-varying motor current during a first time period. The motor current corresponds to an amount of current delivered to a motor, while the heart pump system is operating in the patient. The system receives second data indicative of a time-varying differential pressure during the first time period. The differential pressure is indicative of a position of the heart pump system relative to patient's heart. The system receives third data indicative of time-varying motor current during a second time period, and determines an estimate of differential pressure during the second period of time from the third data and a relationship between the first data and the second data. The estimate is usable to predict the position of the heart pump system in the patient.

Systems and methods are provided herein for estimating a position of a heart pump system in a patient. The system receives first data indicative of a time-varying motor current during a first time period. The motor current corresponds to an amount of current delivered to a motor, while the heart pump system is operating in the patient. The system receives second data indicative of a time-varying differential pressure during the first time period. The differential pressure is indicative of a position of the heart pump system relative to patient's heart. The system receives third data indicative of time-varying motor current during a second time period, and determines an estimate of differential pressure during the second period of time from the third data and a relationship between the first data and the second data. The estimate is usable to predict the position of the heart pump system in the patient.

A heart pump including: a housing forming a cavity including: at least one inlet aligned with an axis of the cavity; and, at least one outlet provided in a circumferential outer wall of the cavity; an impeller provided within the cavity, the impeller including vanes for urging fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and, a drive for rotating the impeller in the cavity and wherein a flow path through the pump has a minimal cross-sectional area of at least 50 mm.sup.2.

Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes an impeller configured to be placed inside a left ventricle of a subject, and a frame configured to be disposed around the impeller. The frame is shaped such that, in a non-radially constrained configuration of the frame, the frame defines a cylindrical central portion, and a distal conical portion that is disposed distally with respect to the cylindrical central portion and that widens from a distal end of the frame to a distal end of the cylindrical central portion. The frame defines struts that define openings therebetween, and all openings that are defined at least partially within the distal conical portion of the frame extend into the cylindrical central portion of the frame. Other applications are also described.

An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

A fluid handling system includes a console configured to connect with a first electrical interface that is configured to connect to a plurality of components of the fluid handling system, the console including a second electrical interface configured to connect with the first electrical interface, a display, and one or more hardware processors. A control system includes the one or more hardware processors and a non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the control system to: detect an electrical signal from a first component of the plurality of components of the fluid handling system responsive to a caretaker performing a first instruction; determine a system state of the fluid handling system based at least in part on the electrical signal from the first component; compare the system state with a predetermined state condition corresponding to said first instruction; and output an indication on the display of the system state.

A fluid handling system includes a console configured to connect with a first electrical interface that is configured to connect to a plurality of components of the fluid handling system, the console including a second electrical interface configured to connect with the first electrical interface, a display, and one or more hardware processors. A control system includes the one or more hardware processors and a non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the control system to: detect an electrical signal from a first component of the plurality of components of the fluid handling system responsive to a caretaker performing a first instruction; determine a system state of the fluid handling system based at least in part on the electrical signal from the first component; compare the system state with a predetermined state condition corresponding to said first instruction; and output an indication on the display of the system state.

Systems and methods are provided for insertion of a medical device into a blood vessel. The system may include a sheath assembly with an introducer sheath and a variable size repositioning sheath. The variable size repositioning sheath may be configured to be adjustable in size in a radial direction and to be inserted into the blood vessel or an expandable introducer sheath. In some aspects, the system may include an intracardiac device such as a blood pump with an elongate catheter.