Tc1 LLC

Thoratec Corporation

Kathryn B Frederick

Daniel I Harjes

Eric T Lee

Julien Duhamel

Jorge Jimenez

Christopher James Cotter

Cori G Pierce

Keith Kearsley

Kaitlyn Nicole Spink

Peter J Gazzara, Iii

Gabe Wegel

Brian Barber

The invention generally relates to heart pump systems. In some embodiments, a pressure sensor is provided with a heart pump, either at the inflow or the outflow of the blood pump. The heart pump may further include a flow estimator based on a rotor drive current signal delivered to the rotor. Based on the rotor drive current signal, a differential pressure across the pump may be calculated. The differential pressure in combination with the pressure measurements from the pressure sensor may be used to calculate pressure on the opposite side of the pump from the pressure sensor. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is located at the outflow of the pump and the pump is coupled with the left ventricle. The differential pressure and pressure measurement may be used to calculate a left ventricular pressure waveform of the patient. With such a measurement, other physiological parameters may be derived.

Pressure sensing ventricular assist devices and methods of use

The present disclosure provides an apical connector for use in a heart wall. The apical connector may include a port defining an aperture therethrough, an anchoring device extending distally from the port and configured for advancing at least partially through the heart wall, and a cannula configured for advancing through the aperture of the port and at least partially through the heart wall. The cannula may include a locking tab configured to engage the port and lock the cannula with respect to the port.

Apical connectors and instruments for use in a heart wall

A protective cap for fluidly sealing a connector of a cable is provided. The protective cap includes a flexible body having an interior cavity with a distal opening through which the connector is inserted. The distal opening is defined by an annular ridge that engages a cable portion proximal the connector to fluidly seal the entire connector within the cavity. The body portion may have an oval-shaped cross-section while the interior cavity is cylindrical so that the portions wider portions of the body provide longitudinal rigidity to facilitate installation and removal of the cap by a manual pushing and pulling. A tether may be included to attach the cap to a distal portion of the cable. The protective cap and tether may be integrally formed of a soft, highly flexible material to improve ease of use, biocompatibility and patient comfort.

Protective cap for driveline cable connector

Growing community of inventors

Medford, MA, United States of America

Kathryn B Frederick