Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an impeller that has proximal and distal bushings, and is configured to pump blood through a subject's body. A frame, which includes proximal and distal bearings, is disposed around the impeller. An axial shaft passes through the proximal and distal bearings of the frame and the proximal and distal bushings of the impeller. The axial shaft is coupled to at least one of the proximal and distal bushings of the impeller, such that the at least one bushing is held in an axially-fixed position with respect to the axial shaft, and is not held in an axially-fixed position with respect to the proximal and distal bearings. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an impeller that has proximal and distal bushings, and is configured to pump blood through a subject's body. A frame, which includes proximal and distal bearings, is disposed around the impeller. An axial shaft passes through the proximal and distal bearings of the frame and the proximal and distal bushings of the impeller. The axial shaft is coupled to at least one of the proximal and distal bushings of the impeller, such that the at least one bushing is held in an axially-fixed position with respect to the axial shaft, and is not held in an axially-fixed position with respect to the proximal and distal bearings. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus that mixes non-homogenous fluid. A threaded shaft within a housing circulates fluid within a container to effect mixing. In one embodiment, when placed in a container of fluid, the housing the fluid is recirculated through opposing ends of the housing. In an embodiment of a related method for mixing, a pump housing containing a screw journaled for rotation receives fluid within a container and conveys the fluid therethrough to circulate a fluid portion in the container along an exterior surface of the housing for mixing with another fluid portion to improve fluid homogeneity. After mixing, the portion of the fluid which first circulates through the housing may recirculate through the housing with said another portion of the fluid. The fluid may be continuously mixed and recirculated through the housing.

Apparatus that mixes non-homogenous fluid. A threaded shaft within a housing circulates fluid within a container to effect mixing. In one embodiment, when placed in a container of fluid, the housing the fluid is recirculated through opposing ends of the housing. In an embodiment of a related method for mixing, a pump housing containing a screw journaled for rotation receives fluid within a container and conveys the fluid therethrough to circulate a fluid portion in the container along an exterior surface of the housing for mixing with another fluid portion to improve fluid homogeneity. After mixing, the portion of the fluid which first circulates through the housing may recirculate through the housing with said another portion of the fluid. The fluid may be continuously mixed and recirculated through the housing.

Pump assemblies may include a pumping unit. The pumping unit may include at least one impeller having an impeller housing with an impeller housing intake end, an impeller housing outlet end and an impeller housing interior extending from the impeller housing intake end to the impeller housing outlet end. An impeller assembly may be disposed in the impeller housing interior of the impeller housing. The impeller assembly may include an impeller hub. At least one impeller screw blade may extend from the impeller hub. An impeller shaft may drivingly engage the impeller hub for rotation of the impeller assembly in the impeller housing interior. The impeller shaft may be configured for driving connection to the power unit. At least one diffuser may include a diffuser housing with a diffuser housing intake end disposed in fluid communication with the impeller housing outlet end of the impeller housing of the impeller, a diffuser housing outlet end and a diffuser housing interior extending from the diffuser housing intake end to the diffuser housing outlet end. A plurality of diffuser vanes may be disposed in the diffuser housing interior of the diffuser housing. At least one pump extension may include a pump extension housing with a pump extension housing intake end disposed in fluid communication with the diffuser housing outlet end of the diffuser housing, a pump extension housing outlet end and a pump extension housing interior extending from the pump extension housing intake end to the pump extension housing outlet end. Methods of pumping a liquid from an area to be drained to a discharge area are also disclosed.

Pump assemblies may include a pumping unit. The pumping unit may include at least one impeller having an impeller housing with an impeller housing intake end, an impeller housing outlet end and an impeller housing interior extending from the impeller housing intake end to the impeller housing outlet end. An impeller assembly may be disposed in the impeller housing interior of the impeller housing. The impeller assembly may include an impeller hub. At least one impeller screw blade may extend from the impeller hub. An impeller shaft may drivingly engage the impeller hub for rotation of the impeller assembly in the impeller housing interior. The impeller shaft may be configured for driving connection to the power unit. At least one diffuser may include a diffuser housing with a diffuser housing intake end disposed in fluid communication with the impeller housing outlet end of the impeller housing of the impeller, a diffuser housing outlet end and a diffuser housing interior extending from the diffuser housing intake end to the diffuser housing outlet end. A plurality of diffuser vanes may be disposed in the diffuser housing interior of the diffuser housing. At least one pump extension may include a pump extension housing with a pump extension housing intake end disposed in fluid communication with the diffuser housing outlet end of the diffuser housing, a pump extension housing outlet end and a pump extension housing interior extending from the pump extension housing intake end to the pump extension housing outlet end. Methods of pumping a liquid from an area to be drained to a discharge area are also disclosed.

The invention provides a fluid pump apparatus comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a screw member and a rotatable pump member. The screw member has at least one helical screw blade configured to be rotated by a fluid flow stream and the rotatable pump member is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet.

In at least one embodiment, the liquid circulation system comprises a rotor located within a tank, a stator having a plurality of coils outside the tank, and an exterior tank wall that is non-magnetic and that is located next to the rotor and between the rotor and the stator,
wherein an axis (R) of rotation of the rotor is in parallel with the exterior tank wall, the coils of the stator are arranged along the axis (R) of rotation of the rotor so that the rotor is configured to be rotated by the stator in a touchless manner through the exterior tank wall by means of a varying electromagnetic field driven by the stator to circulate a liquid within the tank.

In at least one embodiment, the liquid circulation system comprises a rotor located within a tank, a stator having a plurality of coils outside the tank, and an exterior tank wall that is non-magnetic and that is located next to the rotor and between the rotor and the stator,
wherein an axis (R) of rotation of the rotor is in parallel with the exterior tank wall, the coils of the stator are arranged along the axis (R) of rotation of the rotor so that the rotor is configured to be rotated by the stator in a touchless manner through the exterior tank wall by means of a varying electromagnetic field driven by the stator to circulate a liquid within the tank.

The catheter device comprises a drive shaft connected to a motor, and a rotor mounted on the drive shaft at the distal end section. The rotor has a frame structure which is formed by a screw-like boundary frame and rotor struts extending radially inwards from the boundary frame. The rotor struts are fastened to the drive shaft by their ends opposite the boundary frame. Between the boundary frame and the drive shaft extends an elastic covering. The frame structure is made of an elastic material such that, after forced compression, the rotor unfolds automatically.