The HeartMate II: Design and development of a fully sealed axial flow leftventricular assist system

Our group is developing the control and power transmission components requi red to implement a permanent and fully sealed left ventricular assist syste m (LVAS). Starting with the percutaneously powered HeartMate II blood pump, our development efforts are focused in the following areas: a complete red esign of the transcutaneous energy transmission system (TETS) to include a rectification network and autonomous voltage regulation within the secondar y coil, a hermetically sealed electronics package containing a miniaturized implementation of the existing redundant drive and control electronics wit h several power-input options. an implanted rechargeable lithium ion batter y pack capable of providing up to 1 h of untethered operation, implantable electrical connectors that allow components to be connected after placement in the body or to be replaced if needed, and a radio telemetry subsystem t o transmit diagnostic information and to permit remote adjustment of select ed parameters.