Remote Data Monitor For Heart Pump System
A pump control system includes a controller module for controlling a pump, such as an implantable blood pump. A remote monitor is adapted to communicate with the controller module via a wireless communications medium, such as a low-power radio s frequency link. The remote monitor provides a user interface similar or identical to the controller module, providing a user the ability to remotely monitor the pump's performance and to respond to alarms.
1 . A pump control system comprising:
a controller module connectable to an implanted heart pump; and
a monitor module adapted to communicate with the controller module via a wireless communications medium.
2 . The pump control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller module includes:
a processor;
a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor, the motor controller adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed, the motor controller adapted to output digital representations of pump motor operating parameters to the processor;
a user interface coupled to the processor; and
wherein the monitor module includes a user interface.
3 . The pump control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller module user interface matches the monitor module user interface.
4 . The pump control system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications medium is a bi-directional radio frequency (RF) fink.
5 . The pump control system of claim 1 , wherein monitor module includes a device for attaching to a user's wrist.
6 . The pump control system of claim 1 , wherein monitor module includes a device for attaching to a user's belt.
7 . The pump control system of claim 1 , wherein monitor module includes a device for receiving and outputting audio signals.
8 . The pump control system of claim 1 , wherein monitor module is programmed to periodically transmit status information to the controller module.
9 . A method of operating a blood pump, comprising:
connecting a controller module to a blood pump; and
transmitting data between a monitor module and the controller module via a wireless communications medium.
10 . The method of claim 9 , transmitting data includes transmitting functional and alarm messages.
11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
powering the pump such that the pump operates at a desired speed;
outputting digital representations of pump operating parameters on a user interface of the controller module;
transmitting the pump operating parameters to the monitor module; and
displaying the pump operating parameters on a user interface of the monitor module.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein transmitting data includes transmitting via a bi-directional radio frequency (RF) link.
13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising: attaching the monitor module to a user's wrist.
14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising attaching the monitor module to a user's belt.
15 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising transmitting status information from the module to the controller module.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein transmitting status information includes transmitting received signal strength information.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising varying the transmit output power of the controller module in response to the received signal strength information.
18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a plurality of controller modules are connected to a plurality of corresponding blood pumps, and wherein one monitor module communicates with the plurality of controller modules.
19 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a plurality of controller modules are connected to a plurality of corresponding blood pumps, and wherein each of the controller modules communicates with a corresponding monitor module on a predetermined frequency.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein data transmitted from the controller module includes the address of the intended monitor module.
21 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a plurality of monitor modules communicate with a single controller module.
22 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the controller module verifies that no other controller module is transmitting before transmitting data to the monitor module.