Small Battery Size - Latest Development

I've heard that the total implantation-2 years off...Haven't heard smaller batteries as of yet.  Amen to your comment Larry B with swimming etc,/bathing.  I've been an avid swimmer all my life.  

I don't know if you saw the news a few weeks ago.  The FDA has given Medtronic fast track approval to develop a completely implantable LVAD including the power source. N it's a few years from going to market but it is coming. Medtronics is working on it and predicts in 2 to 5 years it could be ready for wide distribution.

An LVAD with no DRIVELINE. No more infection risk, and since it's all internal, no  more bandages to change. Essentially a heart transplant without the risk of infection or rejection.

Not sure if I want to do the surgery again just to get that,  but if my pump was having issues this would be a great upgrade

I don't know if you saw the news a few weeks ago.  The FDA has given Medtronic fast track approval to develop a completely implantable LVAD including the power source. N it's a few years from going to market but it is coming. Medtronics is working on it and predicts in 2 to 5 years it could be ready for wide distribution.

An LVAD with no DRIVELINE. No more infection risk, and since it's all internal, no  more bandages to change. Essentially a heart transplant without the risk of infection or rejection.

Not sure if I want to do the surgery again just to get that,  but if my pump was having issues this would be a great upgrade

use wide masking tape for showering.   It works great.  Keeps site dry and removes easily.

My husband his destination HM2 surgery in oct. 2016.  He had to have a replacement 5 days later , Thrombosis on the pump.  He was in the hospital 61 days.  His age is 74.  There has been some events due to the Lvad, but nothing basically faulty with it.  He recently had an alarm go off and he stopped breathing , was unconscious for 1 minute. His pump stopped and there was no blood being pumped.   I am his wife and caregiver, very scary.  Did the steps, called the team, he did come back to me.  He was hospitalized at Mayo in Pheonix , for what they call “short to shield “.  They preformed an external percutaneous lead replacement , this did not solve the problem ,when returned to grounded cable.  He was discharged with a power module and a non-grounded cable.  We will be replacing his pump again due to continued wiring damage progression. 

I, Susan would like to know if any other Lvad patient has experienced this.

Can't wait. Hope it happens in my life time. I'm 74yrs

Yes. My husband want a bath and to go swimming again.

I have not had to address the issue with metal detectors, wanding, etc. yet.  However, my LVAD team explained that if you suspect it could happen to arrive early, give them the security letter I always carry, advise security what you have and the circumstances, and to request a manual inspection by proper security personnel.

I've had an LVAD for five years now and have been through metal detectors at sporting events, airports, foreign travel, and other types of events. Tell security you have an LVAD and they will wand you by hand. There is no danger to your LVAD (no magnets involved) and no note or card required. Sometimes it takes a little longer, waiting for a person with a wand to show up, but sometimes you can go through faster, too. 

I havent flown but i have been in different circumstances wuth bag checks. Basically i have said i have medical issues, heart pump implant and ooened the top of my bag all with no problems.

I havent flown but i have been in different circumstances wuth bag checks. Basically i have said i have medical issues, heart pump implant and ooened the top of my bag all with no problems.

I refuse to allow them to wand me or scan me in any way as a magnetic field can stop your pump. I quickly volunteer for a personal pat down. Now I call ahead and ask for the senior TAS agent on duty for the time and flight that concerns me. I have a Doctors letter explaining my condition with the doctor personal cell number. The bigger problem is forcing them to allow you to take all your equipment on board as carry on. Checked baggage may not arrive at and when you do, if ever. I have a hard case bag that is the largest allowed carry on. It took me hours to figure out how to position everything just perfectly so that it still close. I even took pictures so that I could repeat it.

Most sporting events only have walk thrus that are similar to a retail store so the power is not that strong. They are OK, but don not linger in them. If you are pulled aside for a hand held scan refuse and explain situation allowing the physical pat down. 

Easiest way...order a wheelchair at the gate and the attendant will get you right through security.  The $5 tip we give is more than worth the ease.

Get a letter from your LVAD dept..and also you can't go through a scanner, plain and simple.  They can scan "wand" waste down but that is all.  And all of your gear goes on the plane.  Be very firm if need be.  

A lot depends on how you carry and distribute the weigh. Don't tell me your purse is under 7 lbs girl. I am a male but have studed all different kinds of ways to carry the equipment. For women the best thing I have found on the market is a thing called runtasty. I know the name is strange, but it is designed for joggers or runners. It has two pouches for water bottles which with a small modification can accommodate the batteries with an elastic band holding them in. The modification is one snip and then you can use the elastic as not intended. The controller will fit in the clear pocket designed for the cell phone. Janette, which is the same as my sister (actually just close, her's is Jeanette), if this is totally confusing to you please contact me at jeffwillcox@comcast.net or any body else.

Wow, Susan, my heart goes out to you and your husband.  What a fighter he is.  I had a little taste of driveline repair, alarms...However, the update on the software wasn't done for the new controller, therefore, it was off balance and didn't match.  My driveline was little severed and had to be repaired..Now I have a heavy inch/and a half hard type tube over it....Very balky!! What an experience as well, but nothing like your husband's.  Hope all is going smooth for you and God be with both of you...  

My husband, age 78,  had a similar occurrence although not as bad as the two of you suffered through.  It was a short to shield issue which must be fairly common.  And external repair was attempted but it was determined the problem was internal so he underwent a pump exchange.  Sadly to say it was almost a case of, "the operation was a success but the patient died"...almost.  On the 3rd post op day he bled out 2 units of blood from the old exit wound.  The wound was packed.  He was transfused and 3 months later he had a driveline infection.  This could be credited to not the short to shield problem but the blood loss post op which in my opinion was preventable.  He had 6 weeks of daily IV antibiotics and has been on a daily maintenance dose for the last 2 years.  Fortunately he has been able to be active and feels very well.  Hang in there.  It will all get better.  

Hi John,

I'm John and I've had my LVAD for 12 years now (I'm on my 3rd one).  I recently ordered the LVAD backpack and I LOVE it.  I used the shoulder bag or we had a conceal and carry shirt converted to handle the batteries. BY FAR, this is the best thing I have ever used.  They are pricey at around $100 but well worth it. Good luck in your search! Stay safe!

John

Totally agree with you Larry. Somehow we need to get Elon Musk to help us. Not kidding. I think we can get them to figure it out. Just need to see who knows how to get to them