Heart assist system

A method of operating a supplemental blood flow system for assisting with blood circulation in a patient, the method comprising:

• directing electrical power to a supplemental blood flow device implanted in a patient through a controller electrically coupled to the supplemental blood flow device, the controller including a power outlet coupled to the supplemental blood flow device and also including first and second power inlets;
• adjusting parameters of a pump associated with the supplemental blood flow device using a portable programming module coupled temporarily to the controller at one of the first and second power inlets;
• storing the parameters in the controller;
• controlling a flow rate of blood through the supplemental blood flow device by applying the parameters stored in the controller to operate the pump;
• coupling at least one power supply unit to the controller at the first power inlet;
• coupling a battery to the controller at the second power inlet;
• and
• supplying power to the battery through the controller with the at least one power supply unit to thereby charge the battery with power supplied through the controller, wherein power supplied to the battery from the at least one power supply unit is delivered from the at least one power supply unit and through each of the controller and the portable programming module before arrival at the battery.

A method of operating a supplemental blood flow system for assisting with blood circulation in a patient, the method comprising:

• directing electrical power to a supplemental blood flow device implanted in a patient through a controller electrically coupled to the supplemental blood flow device, the controller including a power outlet coupled to the supplemental blood flow device and also including first and second power inlets;
• adjusting parameters of a pump associated with the supplemental blood flow device using a portable programming module coupled temporarily to the controller at one of the first and second power inlets;
• storing the parameters in the controller;
• controlling a flow rate of blood through the supplemental blood flow device by applying the parameters stored in the controller to operate the pump;
• coupling at least one power supply unit to the controller at the first power inlet;
• coupling at least one of a battery and the portable programming module to the controller at the second power inlet;
• and
• supplying power to the at least one of the battery and the portable programming module through the controller with the at least one power supply unit, wherein power supplied to the battery from the at least one power supply unit is delivered from the at least one power supply unit and through each of the controller and the portable programming module before arrival at the battery.