The present disclosure relates to a brushless DC electric motor, such as for an actuator unit of an implant, as for a cardiac assist system, with a stator with a hollow-cylindrical iron-free winding and a rotor which can rotate relative to the stator. A shaft has a number p of pairs of permanent-magnetic poles, and the winding has a number n of three-phase systems separate from one another. The number of n three-phase systems separate from one another, is varied based on a number p of pairs of permanent-magnetic poles, and the systems are arranged in a manner spatially offset from one another by an angle of 360°/n.

An introducer sheath for use in delivering devices includes a proximal portion opposite a distal portion and a body portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the body portion defining a lumen of the introducer sheath configured for receiving at least one device, at least one bypass opening positioned in the proximal portion of the introducer sheath such that the bypass opening extends from an exterior of the introducer sheath to the lumen of the introducer sheath, and at least one plug configured to positioned within the lumen of the introducer sheath and to inhibit the flow of blood into the lumen proximal of the plug.

An introducer sheath for use in delivering devices includes a proximal portion opposite a distal portion and a body portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the body portion defining a lumen of the introducer sheath configured for receiving at least one device, at least one bypass opening positioned in the proximal portion of the introducer sheath such that the bypass opening extends from an exterior of the introducer sheath to the lumen of the introducer sheath, and at least one plug configured to positioned within the lumen of the introducer sheath and to inhibit the flow of blood into the lumen proximal of the plug.

An intravascular blood pump having a drive section (11), a catheter (14) fastened to the drive section proximally and a pump section (12) fastened to the drive section distally possesses an electric motor (21) whose motor shaft (25) is mounted in the drive section (11) with two radial sliding bearings (27, 31) and an axial sliding bearing (40). During operation, purge fluid is conveyed through the bearing gap of the axial sliding bearing (40) and further through the radial sliding bearing (31) at the distal end of the drive section (11). The purge fluid is highly viscous, for example 20% glucose solution.

An intravascular blood pump having a drive section (11), a catheter (14) fastened to the drive section proximally and a pump section (12) fastened to the drive section distally possesses an electric motor (21) whose motor shaft (25) is mounted in the drive section (11) with two radial sliding bearings (27, 31) and an axial sliding bearing (40). During operation, purge fluid is conveyed through the bearing gap of the axial sliding bearing (40) and further through the radial sliding bearing (31) at the distal end of the drive section (11). The purge fluid is highly viscous, for example 20% glucose solution.

Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

The disclosure relates to a device for transcutaneously transmitting energy into a human body. The device may include an extracorporeally arranged transmission device that includes an induction charging coil and a sensor. Upon receiving an electrical current, the induction charging coil may provide a magnetic field to inductively transmit energy to an induction coil arranged intracorporeally, transcutaneously powering a medical device, such as a mechanical circulatory support system within in the body. The sensor may provide a position signal representing a relative position between the induction charging coil and the induction coil. In turn the position signal may be used to position the extracorporeal induction coil so that energy it is concentrically aligned with the intracorporeal induction coil and energy can be efficiently transferred to the medical device.

A device for reducing pressure within a lumen includes a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, an injection port in fluid communication with the reservoir, a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body. The fluid may be a compressible or a noncompressible fluid.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing an impeller by forming a structure having first and second bushings at proximal and distal ends that are connected to one another by at least one elongate element. The elongate element is made to radially expand and form a helical elongate element. An elastomeric material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the elastomeric material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. The coupling is performed such that a layer of the material disposed around a radially outer edge of the helical elongate element forms the effective edge of the impeller blade. A step is performed to enhance bonding of the elastomeric material to the helical elongate element in a manner that does not cause a protrusion from the effective edge of the impeller blade. Other applications are also described.