System and Method for Heart Pump Interrogation and Inspection

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for in situ inspection, interrogation, and maintenance of heart pump function in subjects with an implanted heart pump. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a catheter assembly deliverable to the inflow port and outflow port of the implanted heart pump. The system comprises additional components used to examine pump function and prevent malfunction. In certain embodiments, the invention allows for temporary, mid-term, or permanent exclusion of the implanted heart pump from cardiac function without surgically removing the pump.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for increasing blood supply in a patient with inadequate heart function, the system comprising:
 an implantable device comprising at least one inflow port, at least one outflow port and an interior chamber positioned therebetween;   at least one pump positioned within the interior chamber for impelling blood from the inflow port to the outflow port;   a first catheter comprising:
 a first balloon sized to inflate and occlude the inflow port of the implantable device after the implantable device is fully implanted in a subject; and 
 a lumen extending through the balloon and configured to guide one or more device components into the interior chamber of the implantable device after the implantable device is fully implanted in a subject; and 
   a second catheter comprising a second balloon sized to inflate and occlude the outflow port of the implantable device after the implantable device is fully implanted in a subject.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second closure devices removably coupled to the first and second catheters, respectively, wherein the first closure device is configured for delivery into the inflow port and the second closure device is configured to delivery into the outflow port, wherein the first and second closure devices are configured to occlude blood flow into and out of the implantable device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second closure devices are configured for implanting at the inflow and outflow ports. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second closure devices are movable between a compressed configuration for insertion through a vasculature of the patient and an expanded configuration for occlusion of a vessel or the inflow or outflow ports of the implantable device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second closure devices comprise a manipulation structure for placing and removing the closure devices from the inflow and outflow ports. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second catheters comprises a temperature sensor at, or near, an outer surface of one of the first and second catheters. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second devices comprises 
       a temperature sensor at, or near, an outer surface of one of the first and second devices. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to determine a cardiac output parameter based on a temperature of fluid within the interior chamber of the implantable device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the cardiac output parameter is a flow rate driven by the pump. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable device is a ventricular assist device and the pump is configured to impel blood from a left ventricle to an aorta of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a probe configured for advancing through one of the first and second catheters, the probe having an energy transmission element for transmitting energy to the interior chamber of the heart pump 
     
     
         12 . A ventricular assist system for increasing blood supply in a patient with inadequate heart function, the system comprising:
 an implantable device comprising at least one inflow port, at least one outflow port and an interior chamber positioned therebetween, the heart pump including at least one pump for impelling blood from the inflow port to the outflow port;   an external controller coupled to the pump and configured to modulate a parameter of the pump; and   a probe configured for advancement through a vasculature of the patient into the interior chamber of the implantable device, wherein the probe is wirelessly coupled to the external controller and configured to transmit data related to the implantable device or the patient to the external controller.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the interior chamber of the implantable device and wirelessly coupled to the external controller. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the probe comprises a blood flow measurement element. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the parameter includes a flow rate of the pump. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the probe comprises an energy transmission element for transmitting energy to the interior chamber of the heart pump, wherein the energy is sufficient to reduce a volume of a blood clot within the interior chamber of the heart pump. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a source of vacuum pressure coupled to the probe and configured to apply suction to a distal end of the probe to remove fluid or debris from the interior chamber of the implantable device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first catheter comprising a first balloon sized to inflate and occlude the inflow port of the device after the heart device is fully implanted in a subject; and   a second catheter comprising a second balloon sized to inflate and occlude the outflow port of the device after the device is fully implanted in a subject.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising first and second closure devices removably coupled to the first and second catheters, respectively, wherein the first closure device is configured for delivery into the inflow port and the second closure device is configured to delivery into the outflow port, wherein the first and second closure devices are configured to occlude blood flow into and out of the implantable device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second closure devices comprise a manipulation structure for placing and removing the closure devices at the inflow and outflow ports.