A method and a device for the measurement of one or more fluid-mechanically effective parameters of a fluid, with a fluid pump which comprises a delivery element which is mounted in a magnet bearing, and the delivery element of the fluid pump is excited into an oscillation by way of an excitation device, wherein the oscillation parameters as well as, as the case may be, the oscillation behaviour is measured, and parameters of the fluid are determined from this.

A method and a device for the measurement of one or more fluid-mechanically effective parameters of a fluid, with a fluid pump which comprises a delivery element which is mounted in a magnet bearing, and the delivery element of the fluid pump is excited into an oscillation by way of an excitation device, wherein the oscillation parameters as well as, as the case may be, the oscillation behaviour is measured, and parameters of the fluid are determined from this.

Mechanical circulatory assist systems and related methods produce a pulsatile blood flow in synchronization with heart activity. A mechanical circulatory assist system includes a continuous-flow pump and a controller. The continuous-flow pump is implantable in fluid communication with a left ventricle of a heart of a patient and an aorta of the patient to assist blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. The controller includes a sensor that generates a signal indicative of an activity of the heart. The controller is operatively connected to the continuous-flow pump and configured to operate the continuous-flow pump in an artificial pulse mode in synchronization with the activity of the heart.

Mechanical circulatory assist systems and related methods produce a pulsatile blood flow in synchronization with heart activity. A mechanical circulatory assist system includes a continuous-flow pump and a controller. The continuous-flow pump is implantable in fluid communication with a left ventricle of a heart of a patient and an aorta of the patient to assist blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. The controller includes a sensor that generates a signal indicative of an activity of the heart. The controller is operatively connected to the continuous-flow pump and configured to operate the continuous-flow pump in an artificial pulse mode in synchronization with the activity of the heart.

A heart pump and a method for operating a VAD (ventricular assist device) heart pump, in which method a time-dependent pressure of the blood to be delivered is measured directly by means of at least one pressure sensor arranged on the pump inlet and/or on the pump outlet. A temperature of the blood is additionally detected. By evaluating the measured pressure profiles and/or corresponding rates of change of the measured pressure, it is possible for delivery parameters of the pump, and physiological values of the heart assisted by the pump, to be determined in a convenient and reliable manner.

A method of controlling an implantable blood pump including a housing having a proximal portion including an inlet, a distal portion including an outlet, and an impeller therein, the method including detecting when a pressure in the housing exceeds a pressure threshold and executing a first vector control command to displace the impeller axially in a distal direction from a primary position to a secondary position different than the primary position in response to the pressure exceeding the pressure threshold.

An impeller and rotor structure for a magnetically levitated pump define a smooth primary flow path and U-shaped secondary flow path, which extends around an annular magnetic rotor. The u-shaped secondary flow path is defined by a large outer side gap along an outer surface of the rotor, a large bottom gap along a bottom surface of the rotor and a large inner gap along an inner surface of the rotor. Shroudless impeller blades are purely radial and overhung from a thin peripheral ring attached to the annular magnetic rotor. A center post having a low aspect ratio extends through the annular rotor. The low aspect ratio is configured to prevent flow in the primary flow path from colliding directly with flow in the secondary flow path at the inner radial gap.

Various contactless bearing mechanisms including hydrodynamic and magnetic bearings are provided for a rotary pump as alternatives to mechanical contact bearings. In one embodiment, a pump apparatus includes a pump housing defining a pumping chamber. The housing has a spindle extending into the pumping chamber. A spindle magnet assembly includes first and second magnets disposed within the spindle. The first and second magnets are arranged proximate each other with their respective magnetic vectors opposing each other. The lack of mechanical contact bearings enables longer life pump operation and less damage to working fluids such as blood.

Methods and apparatuses for determining operational parameters of a blood pump comprising a rotor which transports the blood are provided. The change in the behaviour of at least one first and one second operational parameter, independently from each other, of the pump, is determined. A determination of the flow through the pump and/or the difference in pressure across the pump and/or the viscosity of the blood takes into account the determined change in behaviour of the at least two operational parameters. A modelling for a dynamic model of the known quantities may be carried out and an estimation method using a Kalman filter may be used.

Methods and apparatuses for determining operational parameters of a blood pump comprising a rotor which transports the blood are provided. The change in the behaviour of at least one first and one second operational parameter, independently from each other, of the pump, is determined. A determination of the flow through the pump and/or the difference in pressure across the pump and/or the viscosity of the blood takes into account the determined change in behaviour of the at least two operational parameters. A modelling for a dynamic model of the known quantities may be carried out and an estimation method using a Kalman filter may be used.