Implantable cardiac support system

1 . An implantable cardiac support system, the system comprising:

a cannula at a distal region of the support system;

a flow machine configured to convey blood through the cannula;

an ultrasound measuring device at a proximal region of the support system, the ultrasound measuring device comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers arranged to form an array arranged to measure blood flow in a region surrounding the support system, wherein at least two ultrasound transducers of the plurality of ultrasound transducers are oriented orthogonal to each other, wherein a main sensitivity direction of a first orthogonal transducer of the plurality of ultrasound transducers is no more than 45 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the support system and a main sensitivity direction of a second orthogonal transducer of the plurality of ultrasound transducers is 90 degrees from the first orthogonal transducer; and

at least one processor programmed to

receive signals from the ultrasound measuring device;

combine the signals to compensate for rotational flow induced by the flow machine; and

determine a total volume flow of blood in a region of the support system in a vicinity of the flow machine based on the combined signals received from the ultrasound measuring device.

2 . The support system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound measuring device comprises at least three ultrasound transducers.

3 . The support system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to assess a direction of flow of the blood.

4 . The support system of claim 1 , wherein the flow machine is disposed between the cannula and the ultrasound measuring device.

5 . The support system of claim 1 , wherein the support system is configured to be implanted in an aortic valve.

6 . The support system of claim 1 , wherein the support system is elongated between a first end and a second end.

7 . The support system of claim 1 , wherein the cannula is disposed adjacent to a distal end of the support system comprising an inlet opening, and wherein the ultrasound measuring device is disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the support system.

8 . A method for determining a total fluid volume flow of blood in a region of a cardiac support system, the method comprising:

performing a first ultrasound measurement with an ultrasound measurement device in a first orientation in a proximal region of an end of the support system that is opposite a cannula, wherein a flow machine of the support system is configured to convey blood through the cannula;

performing a second ultrasound measurement with the ultrasound measurement device in a second orientation different from the first orientation in the proximal region of the end of the support system, wherein the first orientation and the second orientation are orthogonal to each other and wherein a main sensitivity direction associated with the first orientation is no more than 45 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the support system and a main sensitivity direction associated with the second orientation is 90 degrees from the main sensitivity direction of the first orientation;

combining the first and second ultrasound measurements to compensate for rotational flow induced by the flow machine of the support system;

determining the total fluid volume flow in a vicinity of the flow machine using the combination of first and second ultrasound measurements.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising monitoring the support system using the first and second ultrasound measurements.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound measurement device is positioned opposite to the cannula of the support system in the first orientation.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound measurement device is positioned opposite to the cannula in the second orientation.