IP Library Granted Patent US 8,157,721
Granted Patent B2
US 8,157,721 · App. 12/347,775 · Granted Apr 17, 2012

Artificial heart pump system and its control apparatus

Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,157,721
App. No.
12/347,775
Granted
Apr 17, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An artificial heart pump system is provided independently with a controlling processor for controlling an operation status of a blood pump so as to perform in a preset condition and with an observing processor for controlling a display unit displaying an operation status and an operation condition of the blood pump. In addition, a memory device is mounted in an outside-the-body type battery pack included in the artificial heart pump system; data such as pump data, event log or the like is stored therein; and data are collected and managed automatically by a battery charger when charging the battery charger for a daily performance. Further, an interface unit of an artificial heart pump is proposed where a user can confirm displayed contents of the controller without exposing the controller externally.

Claims (32)

1. An artificial heart pump system comprising:

a blood pump configured to be implanted inside a body;

a control apparatus including a processor and configured to be arranged outside of the body in a portable manner for controlling the blood pump, the control apparatus being devoid of a user interface portion of the artificial heart pump system;

a display unit configured to display an operation status of the blood pump;

an instruction unit configured to provide the control apparatus with an instruction to alter an operation status of the blood pump;

an user interface unit configured to include the display unit and the instruction unit; and

wherein the user interface unit is separate from the control apparatus, is configured to be on the body and is connected to the control apparatus by a wired or a wireless communication line.

2. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit is a liquid crystal display unit for displaying at least one of a rotational speed of an impeller, a blood flow rate, and a discharging pressure of the blood pump.

3. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface unit includes a light emitting device for displaying the operation status of the blood pump and the control apparatus, and a buzzer for notifying an abnormality of the blood pump and the control apparatus.

4. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface unit and the control apparatus independently include a power supply circuit, and the interface unit includes a processor independent from the processor of the control apparatus.

5. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface unit is connected to the control apparatus by a wireless communication line.

6. A user interface unit for use in an artificial heart pump system comprising:

a first processor configured to be connected to a control apparatus for controlling operation of a blood pump implanted inside a body by a wired or a wireless communication line, the control apparatus including a second processor and being configured to be carried on an outside of the body;

a liquid crystal display device configured to be controlled by the first processor and display an operation status of the blood pump;

an alarm device configured to be controlled by the first processor and notify a user about a normal or an abnormal operation status of the blood pump and the control apparatus;

an instruction device configured to provide the control apparatus through the first processor with an instruction to alter the operation status of the blood pump; and

wherein the interface unit is configured to be on the body independently from the control apparatus.

7. The user interface unit according to claim 6 , wherein the alarm device includes a light emitting device.

8. The user interface unit according to claim 6 , wherein the alarm device includes a buzzer.

9. The user interface unit according to claim 6 , wherein the interface unit is connected to the control apparatus by a wireless communication line.

10. An artificial heart pump system comprising:

a blood pump configured to be implanted inside a body;

a control apparatus configured to be arranged outside of the body in a portable manner and carried on the body, the control apparatus comprising a first processor for controlling the blood pump;

a user interface unit separate from and movable with respect to the control apparatus so that the user interface unit can be moved to a desired place without also moving the control apparatus, the user interface unit being configured to be on the body; and

the interface unit which is separate from and movable with respect to the control apparatus comprising:

a second processor configured to provide the first processor of the control apparatus with instruction to alter an operation status of the blood pump; and

a display unit configured to display the operation status of the blood pump.

11. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 10 , wherein the user interface unit includes an alarm to provide notification about an abnormality of the blood pump.

12. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 10 , wherein the user interface unit includes a button configured to be operated by a user to change information displayed on the display unit.

13. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 10 , wherein the user interface unit includes a buzzer which provides notification about an abnormality of the blood pump.

14. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 10 , wherein the user interface unit includes a light emitting device for displaying the operation status of the blood pump and the control apparatus.

15. The artificial heart pump system according to claim 10 , wherein the user interface unit is connected to the control apparatus by a wireless communication line.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 19, 2017
From: THORATEC CORPORATION
To: THORATEC LLC
Reel/Frame 041428/0327 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2017
From: THORATEC LLC
To: TC1 LLC
Reel/Frame 041428/0685 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2013
From: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: THORATEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031199/0353 →
Priority Claims (3)
JP 2003-168137 · Jun 12, 2003 · national
JP 2003-168138 · Jun 12, 2003 · national
JP 2003-168139 · Jun 12, 2003 · national
Continuity (2)
Division 10864431 · Jun 10, 2004
Related Publication 20090118827A1 · May 7, 2009