Blood pump controllers having daisy-chained batteries

Systems and related methods for supplying power to an implantable blood pump are provided. A system includes a base module and a plurality of energy storage devices. A first energy storage device is operatively coupled to the base module. A second energy storage device is operatively coupled to the first modular energy storage device. The energy storage devices are mechanically coupled in series, electrically coupled in parallel, and configured to provide redundant sources of power to drive an implantable blood pump.

BACKGROUND

Ventricular assist devices, known as VADs, often include an implantable blood pump and are used for both short-term (i.e., days, months) and long-term applications (i.e., years or a lifetime) when a patient's heart is incapable of providing adequate circulation, commonly referred to as heart failure or congestive heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, more than five million Americans are living with heart failure, with about 670,000 new cases diagnosed every year. People with heart failure often have shortness of breath and fatigue. Years of living with blocked arteries and/or high blood pressure can leave a heart too weak to pump enough blood to the body. As symptoms worsen, advanced heart failure develops.

A patient suffering from heart failure may use a VAD while awaiting a heart transplant or as a long term destination therapy. A patient may also use a VAD while recovering from heart surgery. Thus, a VAD can supplement a weak heart (i.e., partial support) or can effectively replace the natural heart's function. VADs can be implanted in the patient's body and powered by an electrical power source inside or outside the patient's body.

While a VAD can greatly improve the quality of a patient's life, the consequences of insufficient power for proper operation of the VAD are significant to patient safety. All ventricular assist systems (VAS) require several watts of power to provide cardiac support. Thus, patients using a VAS and their supporting caregivers or providers (hereinafter “users”) can use non-implanted replenishable and/or replaceable power supplies to maintain mobility. Such non-implanted power supplies typically include battery packs and AC wall power converters. The power from these sources may be conveyed to the VAD via a VAS controller using cables.

Battery packs are often carried by the patient. Existing battery packs, however, are heavy and provide limited options for expanding or contracting the weight of battery packs carried by the patient. Instead, many existing products employ a single energy storage configuration, typically a battery of fixed capacity. While some existing devices allow for an optional larger capacity battery pack to be used in lieu of a standard battery pack, options for tailoring the weight of batteries carried by the patient are limited. For example, a patient may have different battery support needs depending on the patient's activity on a given day, but because existing devices often do not allow patients to select a battery configuration based on such needs, the patient may have to use more battery capacity than necessary or limit their activity. Moreover, because of the criticality of powering VADs described above, there is a need to provide modularity of battery configurations while maintaining redundancy. Merely adding a redundant battery can add undesirable weight, cost, and complications such as confusion when switching batteries.

Accordingly, improved portable energy supply systems and related methods that do not have at least some of the above-discussed disadvantages would provide benefits to users of wearable or implanted medical devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein include energy supply systems for wearable or implantable medical devices, and related methods that can provide increased flexibility with regard to carried battery capacity and increased reliability in powering such medical devices. In many embodiments, a plurality of energy storage devices are mechanically coupled in series, and electrically coupled in parallel, and configured to provide redundant sources of power to drive an implantable blood pump. The energy storage devices include additional input connectors to allow additional energy storage devices to be mechanically and electrically coupled thereto. The energy storage devices provide patients increased flexibility to appropriately meet the power capacity needs and avoid burdensome weight that is not otherwise needed for applicable activities.

Thus, in one aspect, a system is provided for supplying power to an implantable blood pump. The system includes a base module and a plurality of energy storage devices. The base module is operatively coupled with the blood pump to supply electrical power to drive the implantable blood pump. The first modular energy storage device is configured to be operatively coupled to the base module to supply electrical power to the base module, and the second modular energy storage device is operatively coupled to the first modular energy storage device to supply electrical power to the first modular energy storage device. The second modular energy storage device is mechanically coupled in series to the first modular energy storage device and electrically coupled in parallel to the first modular energy storage device, and the first and second modular energy storage devices are configured to provide redundant sources of power to drive the implantable blood pump.

In many embodiments of the system, the first and second modular energy storage devices comprise one or more battery cells. In many embodiments of the system, the first modular energy storage device is configured to be releasably coupled to the base module, and the second modular energy storage device is configured to be releasably coupled to the first modular energy storage device.

In many embodiments of the system, the first and second modular energy storage devices include battery cells storing electrical power and connectors to transfer electrical power. In many embodiments of the system, each of the first and second modular energy storage devices includes one or more battery cells configured to store electrical power, an input connector configured to receive electrical power, and an output connector configured to output electrical power. In many embodiments of the system, each of the first and second modular energy storage devices includes first and second input connectors each configured to receive electrical power and an output connector configured to output electrical power.

In many embodiments of the system, the first and second modular energy storage devices and the base module include connectors connectable to transfer electrical power. In many embodiments of the system, a first output connector of the first modular energy storage device is connectable to a base module input connector of the base module and an input connector of the first modular energy storage device is connectable to a second output connector of the second modular energy storage device.

In many embodiments, the system further includes a third modular energy storage device operatively coupled to the second modular energy storage device. In some embodiments, the third modular energy storage device is mechanically coupled in series to the second modular energy storage device and electrically coupled in parallel to the second modular energy storage device, and the third modular energy storage device is configured to provide an additional redundant source of power to drive the implantable blood pump.

In many embodiments of the system, the first and second modular energy storage devices may be similar. For example, the first modular energy storage device and the second modular energy storage device may be configured to be interchangeable. As another example, the first modular energy storage device and the second modular energy storage device may be configured to be substantially identical.

In many embodiments of the system, the base module includes a controller coupled to the implantable blood pump. The controller includes an internal energy storage device configured to provide power to drive the implantable blood pump, and the first or second modular energy storage devices are configured to provide power to drive the implantable blood pump when the internal energy storage device is in a substantially depleted state. In some embodiments, the base module includes a controller that powers the implantable pump through a driveline cable. In some embodiments, the base module includes an external energy transmitter that powers the implantable pump wirelessly by transcutaneous energy transmission.

In many embodiments, the system further includes an alternate power source coupled to an input connector of the second modular energy storage device. For example, the alternate power source may include a charging unit drawing power from a standard AC power outlet. In some embodiments, the charging unit is configured to charge at least one of the modular energy storage devices during operation of the implantable blood pump.

In many embodiments of the system, the components are configured to be worn externally by a patient. In many embodiments of the system, each of the first and second modular energy storage devices and the base module are configured to be worn externally by a patient implanted with the blood pump.

In many embodiments of the system, the base module includes one or more indicators configured to indicate a level of power available to drive the implantable blood pump or a fault associated with the implantable blood pump. For example, the indicators may be visual indicators and/or audio indicators. In some embodiments, the base module is configured to wirelessly transmit one or more notifications regarding the level of power available or the fault to an external device.

In many embodiments of the system, each of the first and second modular energy storage devices includes one or more indicators. For example, in some embodiments of the system, each of the first and second modular energy storage devices includes one or more indicators configured to indicate a remaining power level of the respective modular energy storage device.

In another aspect, a modular external electrical power system is provided for supplying power to an implantable blood pump. The system includes a first modular energy storage device and a second modular energy storage device. The first modular energy storage device is operatively configured to supply electrical power to drive the implantable blood pump, and the second modular energy storage device is releasably coupled to the first modular energy storage device. Each of the first and second modular energy storage devices may include one or more battery cells to store electrical power, an input connector configured to receive electrical power, and an output connector configured to output electrical power. The second modular energy storage device is mechanically coupled in series to the first modular energy storage device and electrically coupled in parallel to the first modular energy storage device, and the first and second modular energy storage devices are configured to provide redundant sources of electrical power to drive the implantable blood pump.

In many embodiments of the system, the first and second modular energy storage devices may have a variety of functions. In some embodiments of the system, each of the first and second modular energy storage devices is a battery module. In some embodiments of the system, the first modular energy storage device is a control unit configured to drive the implantable blood pump and the second modular energy storage device is a battery module.

In many embodiments, the system further includes a third modular energy storage device releasably coupled to the second modular energy storage device. The third modular energy storage device includes one or more battery cells to store electrical power, an input connector configured to receive electrical power, and an output connector configured to output electrical power. The third modular energy storage device is mechanically coupled in series to the second modular energy storage device and electrically coupled in parallel to the second modular energy storage device, and is configured to provide an additional redundant source of electrical power to drive the implantable blood pump.

In many embodiments of the system, the first and second modular energy storage devices are similar. In many embodiments of the system, the first modular energy storage device and the second modular energy storage device are interchangeable. In many embodiments of the system, the first modular energy storage device and the second modular energy storage device are substantially identical.

In many embodiments, the system further includes an alternate power source coupled to the input connector of the second modular energy storage device. For example, the alternate power source may include a charging unit drawing power from a standard AC power outlet. In some embodiments, the charging unit is configured to charge at least one of the modular energy storage devices during operation of the implantable blood pump.

In many embodiments of the system, components are configured to be worn externally by a patient. In many embodiments of the system, the first and second modular energy storage devices are configured to be worn externally by a patient.

In still another aspect, a mechanical circulatory support system is provided. The system includes an implantable blood pump, a controller for driving the implantable blood pump, and a modular energy storage device. The controller includes an internal battery configured to provide power to drive the implantable blood pump. The modular energy storage device is mechanically coupled in series to the controller and electrically coupled in parallel to the controller, and the energy storage device is configured to provide power to drive the implantable blood pump when the internal battery of the controller is in a substantially depleted state.

In many embodiments of the system, additional modular energy storage devices may be coupled to the modular energy storage devices. In some embodiments of the system, the modular energy storage device includes an input connector for receiving electrical power from an additional modular energy storage device, and each of the modular energy storage device and the additional modular energy storage device include one or more battery cells. In some embodiments, the system also includes the additional modular energy storage device. In some embodiments of the system, the additional modular energy storage device may be releasably coupled to the modular energy storage device. In some embodiments of the system, the additional modular energy storage device may be mechanically coupled in series to the modular energy storage device and electrically coupled in parallel to the modular energy storage device. In some embodiments of the system, the additional modular energy storage device includes an additional input connector for receiving electrical power.

In another aspect, a method is provided for electrically powering an implantable blood pump. The method includes connecting a first external energy storage device to a base module operatively configured to supply electrical power to drive the implantable blood pump, and connecting a second external energy storage device to the first energy storage device, wherein the first energy storage device and second energy storage device are mechanically connected in series and electrically connected in parallel. The first and second energy storage devices are configured to provide redundant sources of electrical power to drive the implantable blood pump.

In many embodiments of the method, the base module includes a controller comprising an internal energy storage device. In many embodiments of the method, the first and second energy storage devices are configured to provide electrical power when the internal energy storage device is in a substantially depleted state.

In many embodiments, the method further includes connecting the second external energy storage device to a charging unit drawing power from a standard AC power outlet. In many embodiments of the method, the charging unit is configured to charge at least one of the first external energy storage device or the second external energy storage device during operation of the implantable pump.

In many embodiments of the method, the modular energy storage devices may be disconnected for flexibility. In many embodiments, the method further includes disconnecting the second modular energy storage device when less power capacity is required.

In many embodiments, the method further includes connecting a third external energy storage device to the second energy storage device. In some embodiments, the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device are mechanically connected in series and electrically connected in parallel, and the third energy storage device is configured to provide an additional redundant source of electrical power to drive the implantable blood pump.

In another aspect, a method is provided for electrically powering an implantable blood pump. The method includes supplying power to drive the implantable pump from a base module and supplying power to the base module from at least one of a first or second modular energy storage device. The base module comprises a controller coupled to the implantable blood pump, the controller includes an internal energy storage device configured to provide the power to drive the implantable blood pump, and the first energy storage device and second energy storage device are mechanically connected in series and electrically connected in parallel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is an illustration of a mechanical circulatory support system10implanted in a patient's body12. The mechanical circulatory support system10includes an implantable blood pump assembly14, ventricular cuff16, outflow cannula18, an external system controller20, and power sources22. The implantable blood pump assembly14can include a VAD that is attached to an apex of the left ventricle, as illustrated, or the right ventricle, or both ventricles of the heart24. The VAD can include a centrifugal (as shown) or axial flow pump as described in further detail herein that is capable of pumping the entire output delivered to the left ventricle from the pulmonary circulation (i.e., up to 10 liters per minute). Related blood pumps applicable to the present invention are described in greater detail below and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,695,471, 6,071,093, 6,116,862, 6,186,665, 6,234,772, 6,264,635, 6,688,861, 7,699,586, 7,976,271, 7,997,854, 8,007,254, 8,152,493, 8,652,024, and 8,668,473 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2007/0078293, 2008/0021394, 2009/0203957, 2012/0046514, 2012/0095281, 2013/0096364, 2013/0170970, 2013/0121821, and 2013/0225909, all of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes in their entirety. With reference toFIG. 1, the blood pump assembly14may be attached to the heart24via the ventricular cuff16which is sewn to the heart24and coupled to the blood pump14. The other end of the blood pump14connects to the ascending aorta via the outflow cannula18so that the VAD effectively diverts blood from the weakened ventricle and propels it to the aorta for circulation to the rest of the patient's vascular system.

FIG. 1illustrates the mechanical circulatory support system10during battery22powered operation. A driveline26that exits through the patient's abdomen28, connects the implanted blood pump assembly14to the external system controller20, which monitors system10operation. Related controller systems applicable to the present invention are described in greater detail below and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,242, 6,991,595, 8,323,174, 8,449,444, 8,506,471, 8,597,350, and 8,657,733, EP 1812094, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2005/0071001 and 2013/0314047, all of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes in their entirety. The system may be powered by either one, two, or more batteries22. As can be seen inFIG. 1, batteries22are both mechanically connected to the external system controller20. Batteries22are thus both mechanically and electrically connected in parallel. It will be appreciated that although the system controller20and power source22are illustrated outside/external to the patient body, the driveline26, system controller20and/or power source22may be partially or fully implantable within the patient, as separate components or integrated with the blood pump assembly14. Examples of such modifications are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,508 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0127253, all of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes in their entirety.

With reference toFIG. 2, a left ventricular assist blood pump assembly200(which may correspond with blood pump assembly14described above) having a circular shaped housing210is implanted in a patient's body with a first face211of the housing210positioned against the patient's heart H and a second face213of the housing210facing away from the heart H. The first face211of the housing210includes an inlet cannula212extending into the left ventricle LV of the heart H. The second face213of the housing210has a chamfered edge214to avoid irritating other tissue that may come into contact with the blood pump assembly200, such as the patient's diaphragm. To construct the illustrated shape of the puck-shaped housing210in a compact form, a stator220and electronics230of the pump assembly200are positioned on the inflow side of the housing toward first face211, and a rotor240of the pump assembly200is positioned along the second face213. This positioning of the stator220, electronics230, and rotor240permits the edge214to be chamfered along the contour of the rotor240, as illustrated inFIG. 2, for example.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram of an overall communication architecture of the mechanical support system ofFIG. 1. A driveline couples the implanted blood pump assembly200to the external system controller20, which monitors system operation via various software applications. The blood pump assembly200itself also includes several software applications that are executable by the on board electronics230(e.g., processors) for various functions, such as to control radial levitation and/or drive of the rotor of the pump assembly200during operation. The external system controller20may in turn be coupled to either batteries22or a power module30that connects to an AC electrical outlet. The external system controller20may also include an emergency backup battery (EBB) to power the system (e.g., when the batteries22are depleted) and a membrane overlay, including Bluetooth capabilities for wireless data communication. An external computer having a system monitor32that is configurable by an operator, such as clinician or patient, may further be coupled to the circulatory support system for configuring the external system controller20, implanted blood pump assembly200, and/or patient specific parameters, updating software on the external system controller20and/or implanted blood pump assembly200, monitoring system operation, and/or as a conduit for system inputs or outputs.

While the mechanical support system described above with respect toFIGS. 1-3can be powered by a number of different components including batteries22, an emergency backup battery included in external system controller20, or power module30, such systems (and other similarly available mechanical support systems) present a number of limitations. First, since batteries22are electrically and mechanically connected in parallel to controller20and each battery22has only one connection which is used to electrically and mechanically connect it to controller20, the battery operation shown inFIG. 1does not provide for easily modifying power capacity to accommodate varying usage. Rather, in such systems, the only way to increase or decrease capacity is to use different capacity batteries in place of batteries22, which may or may not be available for a given system, and which may not otherwise be feasible for manufacturers to provide due to costs associated therewith. For the same reason, batteries22may not be charged while connected to controller20, which means that an alternate source of power must be used when batteries22are being charged, including a different set of batteries or power module30. In view of these limitations, systems such as system10depicted inFIG. 1typically require batteries22that are able to provide power for an extended period of time. Given the capacity needed, such batteries are often heavy, bulky, and burdensome to carry around, and greatly limit the mobility of patients with VADs. Embodiments are described herein with reference toFIGS. 4-10that address the limitations above and other limitations as will be understood in the following description.

FIG. 4illustrates a mechanical circulatory support system400that employs a modular external power supply system. As with mechanical circulatory support system10described above with respect toFIG. 1, mechanical circulatory support system400includes an implantable blood pump assembly14, ventricular cuff16, outflow cannula18, and a driveline26that exits through the patient's abdomen28. In mechanical circulatory support system400, however, the driveline26connects the implanted blood pump assembly14to a base module402, which may include a controller that monitors and provides indications regarding system400operation, as will be described further herein. The base module402can also include battery cells used to power implantable blood pump14as will also be discussed in further detail below.

The mechanical circulatory support system400further includes batteries404and408. As can be seen inFIG. 4, the battery404and the battery408are connected mechanically in series, i.e., the battery404is connected directly to the base module402, and the battery408is connected to the battery404via a coupling406. As will be described in further detail, while the batteries404and408can be mechanically coupled in series, they are configured to be electrically coupled in parallel, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Although not shown in detail, each of the batteries404,408can include two connectors to allow for the serial coupling depicted inFIG. 4. In some embodiments, each of the batteries404,408includes an output connector for providing electrical power to base module402and/or implantable blood pump14and an input connector to receive electrical power from battery408via coupling406or from another power source.

Although the coupling406is illustratively depicted as a cable connection, it will be understood that this serial connection may be achieved by any suitable coupling, so long as battery404is provided with a connector configured to connect to the coupling406to the battery404. For example, batteries404and408may be connected by connectors that snap or click into place, by pins or lock-pins, by magnetic connectors, by one or more hinges, by ball-and-socket connectors, thrust bearing joints, belts, chains, strings, ropes, nuts and bolts or screws, threads, crush rib or other press fit, crimp connection, adhesive or adhesive tape or Velcro or similar materials, elastic rivet, O-ring and wiper combination, or an over-molding that captures a part.

In many embodiments, the battery408includes two connectors, including an output connector configured to provide electrical power to battery408, base module402, and/or implantable blood pump14, via coupling406and an input connector to receive electrical power from another power source. For example, although not shown inFIG. 4, the battery408can include an input connector to receive electrical power from another battery, a charging unit that draws electrical power from a standard AC power outlet, or any other suitable source of electrical power.

In many embodiments, the batteries404and408are designed to be interchangeable, so that they may be freely swapped with other interchangeable batteries as they are charged or otherwise replaced. For example, the batteries404and408can include the same types of connectors, and may have the same form factor so as to each fit in the same wearable holsters or other wearable supports. In some embodiments, the batteries404and408are substantially identical, so that multiple different batteries need not be manufactured and/or purchased by the user. The batteries404,408, however, can have different sizes, shapes, and/or capacities, to allow for increased user flexibility.

FIG. 5illustrates a mechanical circulatory support system500that employs a modular external power supply system. As with the mechanical circulatory support system10and400described above with respect toFIGS. 1 and 4, the mechanical circulatory support system500includes an implantable blood pump assembly14, ventricular cuff16, outflow cannula18, and a driveline26that exits through the patient's abdomen28. As with the mechanical circulatory support system400, the mechanical circulatory support system500includes a driveline26that connects the implanted blood pump assembly14to a base module502. As with the mechanical circulatory support system400, the mechanical circulatory support system500includes batteries504,508mechanically coupled serially via the coupling506and electrically coupled in parallel. The mechanical circulatory support system500includes an alternate configuration of batteries504,508relative to the batteries404,408depicted inFIG. 4. Specifically, as seen inFIG. 5, the batteries504,508can be arranged on one side of patient12as opposed to on opposite sides as depicted inFIG. 4. Moreover,FIG. 5further shows how the battery508can be coupled via another coupling506to a charging unit510, which draws electrical power from a standard AC power outlet512. As described above with respect to the batteries404,408, it will be understood that the batteries504,508may each also include both an input and output connector to allow for the modular serial connection described. It will be understood that providing for an extra connection via coupling506allows either of batteries504,508to be charged by charging unit510during operation of blood pump assembly14. Moreover, both the batteries504,508can be configured to couple with any number of other power sources including other similarly configured batteries, other charging units configured similarly to the charging unit510, or other suitable sources of electrical power.

FIG. 6is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an assembly600of modular energy storage devices604,606,608that are mechanically coupled in series and electrically coupled in parallel. The assembly600can be employed in employed in any of systems400and500described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly600supplies electrical power to an electrical load602, which can correspond with an implantable blood pump such as implantable blood pump14described above. The electrical power supplied to the electrical load602can be supplied by any suitable combination of the modular energy storage devices604,606,608. The modular energy storage devices604,606, and608can include any of the base modules or batteries described above with respect toFIGS. 4-6, or any other suitable energy storage devices configured to provide electrical power to an implantable blood pump. For example, the modular energy storage device604can be a simplified electrical representation of components of the base module402,502including one or more base module battery cells, and the modular energy storage devices606,608can be simplified electrical representations of components of external battery modules404,408,504,508.

In the illustrated embodiment, the modular energy storage devices604,606,608each include two connectors, allowing for a daisy-chained connection of the energy storage devices604,606,608. The modular energy storage device604includes an output connector612and an input connector614. The output connector612couples with a connector610to provide electrical power to the implantable blood pump. The input connector614is configured to receive electrical power from one or more of the modular energy storage devices606,608. Similarly, the modular energy storage device606includes an output connector618and an input connector620. The output connector618couples with the input connector614of the modular energy storage device604to provide electrical power to the implantable blood pump and/or the modular energy storage device604. The input connector620is configured to receive electrical power from the modular energy storage device608. The modular energy storage device608similarly includes an output connector624and an input connector626. The output connector624couples with input connector620of modular energy storage device606to provide electrical power to the implantable blood pump, the modular energy storage device604, and/or the modular energy storage device606. The input connector626is configured to receive electrical power from another source. Although depicted as open inFIG. 6, the input connector626can be connected to any suitable electrical power source, including another modular energy storage device with input and output connectors, a charging unit drawing power from a standard AC power outlet, or any other suitable electrical power source. Although each of the modular energy storage devices606and608are shown as including a grounding element, it will be understood that this may be effectively achieved by including a grounded connection in each input and output connector described above. Thus, input connectors614,620,626and output connectors618,624may each include both electrical power contacts and ground contacts to couple each component to a grounded connection.

The modular energy storage devices604,606,608can also include components616,622, and628for controlling the energy flow in accordance with any desired energy management strategy. For example, as depicted inFIG. 6, the components616,622,628can be diodes and associated components used to prevent flow of electrical power into a modular energy storage device that has a lower voltage than the other modular energy storage devices. In many embodiments, components616,622,628may include electronically controlled switches (e.g., metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs)) that are used to control distribution of electrical power received via the respective input connector to be output via the respective output connector and used to charge the respective one or more battery cells if not already fully charged.

The assembly600allows each successive modular energy storage device to be physically connected in series and electrically connected in parallel. Such an arrangement allows each of the successive modular energy storage devices to provide a redundant source of power to drive the implantable blood pump. For example, if the modular energy storage device604is a base module such as base module402,502configured to control implantable blood pump14and provide power thereto, and the base module402,502is discharged, either or both of the modular energy storage devices606,608can supply electrical power to the base module402,502to drive implantable blood pump14in lieu of base module402,502and/or to charge the battery cells of modular energy storage device604.

FIG. 7is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an assembly700of a modular external power supply system, in accordance with many embodiments. Similar to the assembly600described above, the assembly700supplies power to an electrical load702via any suitable combination of modular energy storage devices704,706,708. The assembly700functions similar to assembly700described above, except that each of the modular energy storage devices704,706,708includes two input connectors (714,720, and726respectively). The additional input connectors allow the modular energy storage devices704,706,708to be connected in branching networks. For example, the modular energy storage device704can be connected to the electrical load702via an output connector712of the device704. As illustrated, both of the modular energy storage devices706,708can be simultaneously connected to the modular energy storage device704via input connectors714. Accordingly, the modular energy storage devices706,708can be both physically and electrically connected in parallel relative to one another. Relative to the modular energy storage device704, however, the modular energy storage devices706,708are each physically connected in series and electrically connected in parallel. The modular energy storage devices706,708each have two input connectors720and726respectively, which are depicted as open connectors and can be connected to any suitable electrical power source, including another modular energy storage device, a charging unit drawing power from a standard AC power outlet, or any other suitable electrical power source. The modular energy storage devices704,706,708can include components716,722,728(e.g., diodes or equivalent) that can function the same as the components616,622,628described above with respect to the assembly600. As described above with respect to input connectors614,620,626and output connectors618,624, input connectors714,720,726and output connectors718,724may each include both electrical power contacts and ground contacts to couple each component to a grounded connection.

It will be understood that the systems described above with respect toFIGS. 4-7allow for increased patient flexibility. Specifically, energy storage modules with the above-referenced mechanical and electrical arrangement and input and output connectors may be designed with limited capacity since any number of such energy storage modules may be connected to the system to provide sources of power to drive an implantable blood pump. For example, the individual energy storage modules may each provide an average run-time (depending on the load) of one to two hours, and accordingly may be designed to be more compact and less cumbersome than typical battery packs used to power VADs. Systems with this modularity may still provide around-the clock battery support, since any number of batteries may be mechanically coupled in series and electrically coupled in parallel. Thus, patients can choose to bring a number of batteries that will provide adequate run time depending on the patient's intended activity. For example, when planning a short errand, the patient may bring a single energy storage module. If, for example, the patient will be away from home all day, the patient may bring and/or couple more batteries to the system. This modularity can allow the patient to carry less weight on most days, and the weight that is carried may be better distributed due to the compact nature of the batteries.

Although the systems described above have primarily been directed to external power supply systems that provide power to an implantable blood pump by a driveline cable that enters the patient's body through the abdomen, similar systems and approaches can be applied to systems that provide power to an implantable blood pump wirelessly via transcutaneous energy transfer.FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate exemplary embodiments of a mechanical circulatory support system800with a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS) implanted in a patient's body. System800includes internal components801including a cannula18, a blood pump14, a rechargeable power storage device802, also referred to herein as an implantable power supply802, and a power receiver unit804. The rechargeable power storage device802can include two or more energy storage components806, which can be, for example, batteries including rechargeable batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, or the like.

The rechargeable power storage device802can be implanted in a location away from the cannula18, for example, in the lower abdominal as shown inFIG. 8A. The power receiving unit804includes a TETS receiver808that can be, for example, a receiver, a resonator, and inductive coil or the like, that can be coupled to the power storage device802, which is the electrical load of the power receiver unit804.

The mechanical circulatory support system800also includes a power transmitter unit810, that is external to the patient. In accordance with many embodiments, the transmitter unit810can be configured similarly to any of the base modules described above with respect to power supplied via serially-connected external battery modules. The transmitter unit810includes a transmitter resonator812, also referred to herein as a TETS transmitter812. The transmitter resonator812can include, for example, a coil, including an inductive coil that is configured to be coupled to an electric power source814such as an electrical wall outlet or external power sources. When the transmitter unit810is powered by, for example, connection to the electric power source814, an electrical current is generated in the coil of the transmitter resonator812.

The transmitter resonator812as part of the transmitter unit810can be embedded in a stationary object such as a wall, a chair, a bed, or other fixtures such as a car seat or objects that do not move by themselves without external control or human assistance. The source of power for a stationary and embedded transmitter resonator is generally alternating current from an electric outlet, but can also be direct current from a battery source. In other embodiments, the transmitter resonator812may be part of a piece of wearable clothing such as a vest or a jacket, or other wearable accessories. In the case of a transmitter resonator that is embedded into a piece of clothing or object wearable by a person that moves with a person, the source of power can be portable sized rechargeable batteries that also could be worn by the patient as described below with respect toFIG. 9.

When the receiver unit804in the patient comes within a separation distance D of the transmitter unit810, the mechanical circulatory support system800is able to wirelessly transfer energy from the transmitter unit810to the receiver unit804to recharge the power storage device802of the internal components801. In one embodiment, at a given separation distance D being in the range of 2.5 cm to 35 cm, the transmitter unit810is able to deliver power in the range of 5 W to 20 W to the receiver unit804to recharge the batteries806in the power storage device802of the internal components801.

The electric power source814can include any arrangement of the serially-connectable modular energy storage modules described herein.FIG. 9shows components900of a modular external power supply system that can be employed with the Transcutaneous Energy System (TETS) depicted inFIGS. 8A and 8B. As shown inFIG. 9, the components900include a coil902that can correspond to the inductive coil of transmitter resonator912described above. The coil902can be coupled to a right battery clip904, which is configured to hold a first battery906. The components900further include a left battery clip908, which is physically connected to right battery clip904and configured to hold a second battery906. In many embodiments, the batteries906are mechanically connected in series and electrically connected in parallel so as to provide redundant sources of power to drive the implantable blood pump. In some embodiments, the right battery clip904includes a user interface (UI) hub910with a screen configured to display charge status of one or more of the batteries906. The left battery clip908can include a UI hub912with or without a screen and be configured to display charge status of the battery906held by the left battery clip908. Although not shown inFIG. 9, the left battery clip908can further include an input connector configured to allow additional power sources to be coupled thereto, including additional batteries906, a charging unit drawing power from a standard AC power outlet, or any other suitable electrical power source.

FIG. 10is a simplified illustration of indicators that can be employed in a modular external power supply system1000. The system1000can include a base module1002, which can correspond with any of the base modules described above, and which can be coupled via a driveline or wirelessly to a medical device14, which can correspond to the implantable blood pump14as described herein. The system1000can also include a number of modular energy storage devices1004mechanically coupled in series and electrically coupled in parallel as described herein. The base module1002includes a display1006with indicators1008,1010,1012. A heart-shaped indicator1008can provide a high priority indication that a major failure of the system is occurring and may alert the user to seek immediate assistance and/or support. For example, the heart-shaped indicator1008can be displayed when components of medical device14are malfunctioning such that operation of the implantable blood pump is severely impaired or stopped entirely. The bell-shaped indicator1010can provide a lower priority indication related to the available power capacity of the system1000. For example, the bell-shaped indicator1010can flash yellow when one or more batteries reaches a first threshold of depletion, and can flash red when one or more batteries reaches a second increased threshold of depletion. The battery-shaped indicator1012can provide additional detail as to the specific level of charge of batteries of the system1000. The display1006can include a number of battery-shaped indicators1012that can provide indications as to the level of charge of batteries within base module1002or any of modular energy storage devices1004coupled thereto.

Any of the indications provided on the display1006can be wirelessly transmitted to a mobile device1014. Indications may be given on the mobile device1014in any suitable manner, including by notification messages or displayed indicators similar to those on display1006within applications on the mobile device1014. In some embodiments, other operating information of system1000or any components thereof can be transmitted wirelessly to be displayed on mobile device1014. In addition to the visual indicators described above, base module1002can be configured to provide audio indicators. For example, the base module1002can include a speaker (not shown) configured to beep with a particular pattern and/or tone to indicate malfunctions with the system1000and/or particular levels of power remaining. The base module1002can also include a user input button1018, which can be configured to allow a user to silence any of the aforementioned audio indicators. For example, in some embodiments, if a beeping alert regarding the power of the batteries of base module1002is sounded, a user can press input button1018once to silence the alert.

In addition to the indicators described above, each of the modular energy storage devices1004can include indicators1016that display the level of charge of each respective modular energy storage device1004. The indicators1016can include LEDs, which can be segmented to display one or more levels of charge associated with the respective energy storage device1004. In some embodiments, the segments associated particular levels of charge can have different colors of light to provide a further indication of the level of charge. For example, the LED in the rightmost segment of indicator1016associated with the highest level of charge can be green, an intermediate segment associated with an intermediate level of charge can be yellow, and the leftmost segment associated with the lowest level of charge can be red.