Systems and methods for evaluating blood behavior when flowing through an implantable medical device are provided. A flow loop includes the implantable medical device, and a blood reservoir configured to contain a volume of blood and to supply blood from the volume of blood to the implantable medical device. The flow loop further includes a plurality of tubing sections coupled in flow communication between the implantable medical device and the blood reservoir, the plurality of tubing sections including a least a first tubing section having a first diameter and a second tubing section having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter, and a flow diverter coupled in flow communication between the plurality of tubing sections and the blood reservoir, the flow diverter comprising an outlet that is configured to be positioned below a surface of the volume of blood.

A blood pump system including an optical sensor configured to detect an optical signal during pumping operation of the blood pump, and an optical fiber configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical fiber sensor to an evaluation device communicatively coupled to the optical fiber sensor. The evaluation device is configured to receive as inputs the transmitted optical signal and a signal indicative of the motor current and determine a mechanical failure event associated with the blood pump based on the motor current and the optical signal.

A blood pump system including an optical sensor configured to detect an optical signal during pumping operation of the blood pump, and an optical fiber configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical fiber sensor to an evaluation device communicatively coupled to the optical fiber sensor. The evaluation device is configured to receive as inputs the transmitted optical signal and a signal indicative of the motor current and determine a mechanical failure event associated with the blood pump based on the motor current and the optical signal.

A system for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel of a heart includes a valve and a controller. The valve includes an outer frame and two or more leaflets and is sized for placement at least partially within the blood vessel. The two or more leaflets are sized to overlap or contact each other in an expanded state. The controller is disposed outside the heart and transmits signals to the valve.

A blood pump system including an optical sensor configured to detect an optical signal during pumping operation of the blood pump, and an optical fiber configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical fiber sensor to an evaluation device communicatively coupled to the optical fiber sensor. The evaluation device is configured to receive as inputs the transmitted optical signal and a signal indicative of the motor current and determine a mechanical failure event associated with the blood pump based on the motor current and the optical signal.

A blood pump system including an optical sensor configured to detect an optical signal during pumping operation of the blood pump, and an optical fiber configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical fiber sensor to an evaluation device communicatively coupled to the optical fiber sensor. The evaluation device is configured to receive as inputs the transmitted optical signal and a signal indicative of the motor current and determine a mechanical failure event associated with the blood pump based on the motor current and the optical signal.

A cardiac assist system having a pumping device for moving blood, wherein a pumping capacity of the pumping device is adjustable using an adjustment signal based on laser doppler with an optical fiber. A measuring device measures a flow rate of the body fluid, the measuring device comprising at least one light source for outputting a light beam and at least one sensor element for detecting a reflected partial beam of the light beam. The measuring device is adapted to measure the body fluid using the reflected partial beam of the light beam. A determination device is adapted to determine the adjustment signal using the measurement signal. The device may include a bore opening to a blood flow channel, with an optical fiber extending through the bore.

A cardiac assist system having a pumping device for moving blood, wherein a pumping capacity of the pumping device is adjustable using an adjustment signal based on laser doppler with an optical fiber. A measuring device measures a flow rate of the body fluid, the measuring device comprising at least one light source for outputting a light beam and at least one sensor element for detecting a reflected partial beam of the light beam. The measuring device is adapted to measure the body fluid using the reflected partial beam of the light beam. A determination device is adapted to determine the adjustment signal using the measurement signal. The device may include a bore opening to a blood flow channel, with an optical fiber extending through the bore.

A controller implantable within the body of a patient as part of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system and a method therefore are provided. According to one aspect, the controller includes processing circuitry configured to determine a voltage difference by determining a difference between a first voltage obtained from an internal coil of the controller and a target voltage, and is further configured to encode the voltage difference to produce an encoded voltage difference message. The internal coil is configured to transmit the encoded voltage difference message to a power transmitter to enable closed loop control of power transfer from the power transmitter to the controller to drive the voltage difference toward zero.

A ventricular assist device controller holding garment assembly includes a shirt that has a front side, a back side, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a right sleeve, and a left sleeve. The shirt has a neck opening and a torso opening and bounds an interior space. A front pocket is positioned on an outer surface of the front side of the shirt. The front pocket is positioned nearer to the torso opening than the neck opening and has an upper edge comprising an access opening of the front pocket. The front pocket has an exterior wall. A shield comprising a heat resistant material is positioned between the exterior wall and the interior space. A controller receiving space is defined between the exterior wall and the shield and holds a controller for a ventricular assist device.