Patent ID: 8157720

Claim:
A supplemental blood flow system for assisting with blood circulation in a patient, the system comprising: a supplemental blood flow device implantable in the patient, a controller configured to direct electrical power to the supplemental blood flow device and controlling the flow rate of blood through the device, the controller having first and second power inlets and a power outlet, the power outlet adapted to be coupled to an electrical line leading to the supplemental blood flow device, a portable programming module coupled to the first power inlet and configured to allow pump operating parameters stored in the controller to be changed according to the needs of the patient, and at least one power supply unit configured to be coupled to the first and second power inlets, the at least one power supply unit including a power adaptor coupled to the portable programming module and a battery coupled to the second power inlet, wherein the power adaptor supplies power to the portable programming module, through the portable programming module and the first power inlet to the controller, and through the controller and the second power inlet to the battery, to thereby charge the battery with power supplied through the controller.