Apparatus and methods are described including delivering a left-ventricular assist device to a subject's left ventricle. A tube is positioned such that a proximal portion of the tube traverses an aortic valve of the subject, and a distal portion of the tube is disposed within a left ventricle of the subject. A pump pumps blood through the tube from the subject's left ventricle to the subject's aorta such as to cause the proximal portion of the tube to be maintained in an open state, and to cause at least a portion of the tube to become curved. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including delivering a left-ventricular assist device to a subject's left ventricle. A tube is positioned such that a proximal portion of the tube traverses an aortic valve of the subject, and a distal portion of the tube is disposed within a left ventricle of the subject. A pump pumps blood through the tube from the subject's left ventricle to the subject's aorta. A curved element is disposed within the tube and is configured to cause at least a portion of the tube to become curved. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including delivering a left-ventricular assist device to a subject's left ventricle. A tube is positioned such that a proximal portion of the tube traverses an aortic valve of the subject, and a distal portion of the tube is disposed within a left ventricle of the subject. A pump pumps blood through the tube from the subject's left ventricle to the subject's aorta. A curved element is disposed within the tube and is configured to cause at least a portion of the tube to become curved. Other applications are also described.

A sealed micropump includes an integrated motor and at least one impeller for generating fluid flow inside a housing of the micropump. The impeller includes a radial sliding bearing with a spider bearing for supporting an impeller pin of the impeller inside the housing. The impeller pin includes a sheathing of a material different from a material of the spider bearing.

Provided is a left ventricular assist system that includes at least: a blood pump; and a controller that controls the rotation of a rotary body of the blood pump. The controller controls the blood pump such that a rotational speed of the rotary body is periodically switched between a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed that is larger than the first rotational speed with a transition time required for switching the rotational speed set to substantially 0 (zero). Periodic switching of the rotational speed of the rotary body is asynchronous with a cardiac cycle of a user, and the rotary body rotates substantially only at rotational speeds of two values consisting of the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

Provided is a left ventricular assist system that includes at least: a blood pump; and a controller that controls the rotation of a rotary body of the blood pump. The controller controls the blood pump such that a rotational speed of the rotary body is periodically switched between a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed that is larger than the first rotational speed with a transition time required for switching the rotational speed set to substantially 0 (zero). Periodic switching of the rotational speed of the rotary body is asynchronous with a cardiac cycle of a user, and the rotary body rotates substantially only at rotational speeds of two values consisting of the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device that includes a tube configured to traverse a subject's aortic valve, with a distal portion of the tube within the subject's left ventricle. A frame disposed within the distal portion of the tube defines cells, and a width of each of the cells within a generally cylindrical portion of the frame is less than 2 mm. An inner lining lines at least some of the cylindrical portion of the frame. An impeller is disposed inside the frame. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes a frame having struts that define a plurality of cells. In its non-radially-constrained configuration, the frame includes a generally cylindrical portion. A tube defines blood outlet openings, and a portion of the tube is disposed outside the frame and is coupled to the generally cylindrical portion of the frame, such that the portion of the tube conforms with a structure of struts of the frame. An inner lining is coupled to an inside of the generally cylindrical portion of the frame, such as to provide the generally cylindrical portion of the frame with a smooth inner surface. An impeller is disposed at least partially inside the generally cylindrical portion of the frame and is configured to pump blood through the tube and out of the one of more blood outlet openings. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes a frame having struts that define a plurality of cells. In its non-radially-constrained configuration, the frame includes a generally cylindrical portion. A tube defines blood outlet openings, and a portion of the tube is disposed outside the frame and is coupled to the generally cylindrical portion of the frame, such that the portion of the tube conforms with a structure of struts of the frame. An inner lining is coupled to an inside of the generally cylindrical portion of the frame, such as to provide the generally cylindrical portion of the frame with a smooth inner surface. An impeller is disposed at least partially inside the generally cylindrical portion of the frame and is configured to pump blood through the tube and out of the one of more blood outlet openings. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing a housing for an impeller of a blood pump by placing an inner lining around a mandrel, placing a cylindrical portion of a frame around the inner lining, and placing a distal portion of an elongate tube around a portion of the frame. While the distal portion of the elongate tube is disposed around the portion of the frame, the inner lining, the frame, and the distal portion of the elongate tube are heated, via the mandrel, and pressure is applied from outside the distal portion of the elongate tube, such as to cause the distal portion of the elongate tube to conform with a structure of the struts of the frame, and to cause the inner lining and the distal portion of the elongate tube to become coupled to the frame. Other applications are also described.