Test controller for a rotary pump

Abstract

A test controller and method to operate a rotary motor of a pump are provided. The test controller includes a test speed circuit electrically coupled to, but detachable from, the pump and being configured to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. An actuator selectively activates the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor at the predetermined test speed and/or for the predetermined test time. The method includes electrically coupling the test controller to the pump and, in response to selective activation of the actuator, selectively activating the test speed circuit to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to operate the pump motor at a predetermined test speed and/or for a predetermined test time. The method further includes detaching the test controller from the pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A test controller for operating a rotary pump motor of a pump configured for implantation into a patient and that operates in the implanted state without the test controller, the rotary pump motor having a normal operating speed, comprising:
 a test speed circuit electrically coupled to, but detachable from, the pump and being configured to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed that is lower than the normal operating speed of the pump motor; and   an actuator configured to selectively activate the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor to rotate at the predetermined test speed in response to selective activation of the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The test controller of  claim 1 , wherein the normal operating speed is from about 20,000 rotations-per-minute to about 28,000 rotations-per- minute, and the predetermined test speed is from about 780 rotations-per-minute to about 1180 rotations-per-minute. 
     
     
         3 . The test controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a timing circuit electrically coupled to the test speed circuit and the actuator, the timing circuit operating with the test speed circuit and the actuator to discontinue the at least one signal to the pump motor after a predetermined period of time in response to continuous activation of the actuator.   
     
     
         4 . The test controller of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined period of time is from about four to about six seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The test controller of  claim 1 , wherein the test speed circuit is configured to produce the at least one signal during selective activation of the actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The test controller of  claim 1 , wherein the test speed circuit is electrically coupled to, but detachable from, a power supply for the pump to transform a power signal from the power supply into the at least one signal. 
     
     
         7 . The test controller of  claim 1 , wherein the pump includes an impeller. 
     
     
         8 . A test controller for operating a rotary pump motor of a pump configured for implantation into a patient and that operates in the implanted state without the test controller, the rotary pump motor having a predetermined operating speed, comprising:
 a test speed circuit electrically coupled to, but detachable from, the pump and being configured to apply at least one signal to the pump motor to cause the pump motor to rotate for a predetermined test time; and   an actuator configured to selectively activate the test speed circuit to operate the pump motor to rotate for the predetermined test time in response to selective activation of the actuator.   
     
     
         9 . The test controller of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined test time is from about four to about six seconds. 
     
     
         10 . The test controller of  claim 8 , wherein the speed circuit is further configured to apply the at least one signal to the pump motor to operate the pump motor to rotate at a predetermined test speed. 
     
     
         11 . The test controller of  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined test speed is from about 780 rotations-per-minute to about 1180 rotations-per-minute. 
     
     
         12 . The test controller of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a timing circuit electrically coupled to the test speed circuit and the actuator, the timing circuit operating with the test speed circuit and the actuator to discontinue the at least one signal to the pump motor after a predetermined period of time in response to continuous activation of the actuator.   
     
     
         13 . The test controller of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined time is from about four seconds to about six seconds. 
     
     
         14 . The test controller of  claim 8 , wherein the test speed circuit is configured to apply the at least one signal during selective activation of the actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The test controller of  claim 8 , wherein the pump includes an impeller.