The present invention is generally related to methods and systems for preventing onset or worsening of RHF in patients with implanted ventricular assist devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to identifying patients at risk for RHF following implantation of a ventricular assist device based on pulmonary artery pressure measurement and/or trends and adjusting a pump operating parameter to prevent or reduce the onset or worsening of RHF in such patients, improve patient outcomes, or reduce mortality risks associated with VAD implantation. In particular, a pump operating parameter may be adjusted to reduce or minimize particularly high pressure loads on a patient’s heart or amount of time the patient is exposed to such high pressure loads following implantation.

A method for providing a treatment recommendation to a physician for treating a patient is disclosed. The method comprises determining, from a processor in communication with a patient data repository, a first treatment recommendation based on a combination of selected patient demographics from the patient data repository applicable to the patient, and operational parameters of a plurality of ventricular assist devices (VADs) suitable for treating the patient, the first treatment recommendation having a first survival rate and comprising the use of a first VAD. The method then obtains a first signal from using the first VAD on the patient. The method then determines a second treatment recommendation based on the first signal and the first treatment recommendation, the second treatment recommendation having a second survival rate. The method then provides the second treatment recommendation to the physician if the second survival rate is higher than the first survival rate.

A method for providing a treatment recommendation to a physician for treating a patient is disclosed. The method comprises determining, from a processor in communication with a patient data repository, a first treatment recommendation based on a combination of selected patient demographics from the patient data repository applicable to the patient, and operational parameters of a plurality of ventricular assist devices (VADs) suitable for treating the patient, the first treatment recommendation having a first survival rate and comprising the use of a first VAD. The method then obtains a first signal from using the first VAD on the patient. The method then determines a second treatment recommendation based on the first signal and the first treatment recommendation, the second treatment recommendation having a second survival rate. The method then provides the second treatment recommendation to the physician if the second survival rate is higher than the first survival rate.

The invention relates to a pump device having a pump (8) and an energy supply device (5, 18), wherein the pump has a conveying element (9, 11) which conveys a fluid by means of supplied energy, wherein the pump has a transport state and an operating state, and wherein at least one first element (9, 9a, 10, 10′, 11) of the pump has a different shape and/or size in the transport state than in the operating slate. The operating safety of such a pump device is increased by a detection device (12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29) which detects whether at least the first element is in the operating state with respect to shape and/or size by means of a sensor.

There is provided a method for controlling the movement of bile and/or gall stones in the biliary duct. The method comprises 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 stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct, or for actively moving the fluid in the biliary duct, with a low risk of injuring the biliary duct.

A circulatory support device includes a flexible cannula having a fluid outlet at a proximal end; and a pump assembly disposed at a distal end of the flexible cannula. The pump assembly includes a pump housing having a fluid inlet defined therein; a motor disposed within a distal end of the housing; and an impeller, driven to rotate by the motor, and configured to push blood toward the fluid outlet.

A circulatory support device includes a flexible cannula having a fluid outlet at a proximal end; and a pump assembly disposed at a distal end of the flexible cannula. The pump assembly includes a pump housing having a fluid inlet defined therein; a motor disposed within a distal end of the housing; and an impeller, driven to rotate by the motor, and configured to push blood toward the fluid outlet.

A heart pump is disclosed herein. The heart pump can include a cannula having one or more outlets. An impeller can be positioned in the cannula. The impeller can be configured to pump blood through the outlets along a longitudinal axis when the impeller is rotated at an operational speed. The heart pump can be configured to adjust an effective area of the outlets while the impeller is rotating or to provide relative motion between the cannula and the impeller along the longitudinal axis while the impeller is rotating.

A heart pump is disclosed herein. The heart pump can include a cannula having one or more outlets. An impeller can be positioned in the cannula. The impeller can be configured to pump blood through the outlets along a longitudinal axis when the impeller is rotated at an operational speed. The heart pump can be configured to adjust an effective area of the outlets while the impeller is rotating or to provide relative motion between the cannula and the impeller along the longitudinal axis while the impeller is rotating.

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.