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 accessing an interior chamber of an implanted heart pump comprising at least one inflow port, at least one outflow port and an interior chamber positioned therebetween, the interior chamber including at least one mechanical component of the heart pump, the system comprising:
 a catheter assembly comprising:
 a first catheter configured for insertion into to the inflow port of the heart pump after the heart pump is fully implanted in a subject, and 
 a second catheter configured for insertion into to the outflow port of the heart pump after the heart pump is fully implanted in a subject; 
   wherein at least one of the first and second catheters comprises a lumen configured to guide one or more device components into the interior chamber of the heart pump after the heart pump is fully implanted in a subject.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second catheters comprises an inflatable balloon positioned near the distal end of the catheter, wherein inflation of the balloon occludes fluid flow. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device component is selected from the group consisting of an inspection device component, interrogation device component, maintenance device component and manipulation device component. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device component is selected from the group consisting of scopes, fluid delivery devices, probes, and brushes. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the device component is a scope, and wherein the scope comprises a hollow working channel through which one or more additional components is deliverable to the interior chamber of the heart pump. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more additional components are selected from the group consisting of scopes, fluid delivery devices, probes, and brushes. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more additional components is a fluid delivery device that delivers a solution to the heart pump which reduces blood clot formation in the heart pump. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the solution comprises an anticoagulant selected from the group consisting of heparin, tissue plasminogen activator (tPa), streptokinase, collagenase, proteases, proteoltyic agents, superhydrophobic agents, and analogs thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two closure devices, wherein the closure devices configured for delivery into the inflow port and outflow port of the heart pump by the catheter assembly, wherein the closure devices are configured to occlude blood flow into and out of the heart pump, thereby excluding the heart pump from the blood flow circuit of the subject.