Remote Data Monitor For Heart Pump System

Abstract

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.