The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

A circulatory assist apparatus comprising: an inflatable pumping balloon having a proximal end joined to an elongated balloon catheter, the balloon catheter having a distal end joined to the pumping balloon and a proximal end, separated from the distal end by a length sufficient to extend from within a circulatory lumen to the outside of a patient's body, for receiving positive and negative pressure pulses from a pump to inflate and deflate the pumping balloon; and a radially expandable frame, mounted on one of a segment extending distally from the pumping balloon, the balloon catheter, and a sleeve tube surrounding the balloon catheter. The expandable frame is manipulate to expand within the circulatory lumen, and functions to space apart the inflatable balloon from the circulatory lumen, having a first diameter in a collapsed configuration for intraluminal delivery and a second, larger diameter in an expanded configuration achieved by said manipulation.

Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from cardiac dysfunction, congestive heart failure, reduced renal blood flow, increased renal vascular resistance, arterial hypertension, and/or kidney dysfunction, and, in response thereto, reducing blood pressure within a renal vein of the subject, by activating at least one impeller to pump blood from the renal vein into a vena cava of the subject, by the impeller rotating.

A catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices may prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

Apparatus and methods are described including a catheter, a first pump disposed on the catheter, and a second pump disposed on the catheter, proximally to the first pump. A control unit is configured to control activation of the first and second pumps. The first and second pumps are configured, when activated, to pump fluid in opposite directions from one another. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of: cardiac dysfunction, congestive heart failure, reduced renal blood flow, increased renal vascular resistance, arterial hypertension, and kidney dysfunction. In response thereto, blood pressure within a renal vein (32) of the subject is reduced, by placing a blood pump (150) inside the subject's renal vein and activating the impeller to pump blood from the renal vein into the subject's vena cava (26). Other applications are also described.

A circulatory assist apparatus comprises an inflatable pumping balloon having a proximal end joined to an elongated balloon catheter, the catheter having a distal end joined to the pumping balloon and a proximal end, separated from the distal end by a length sufficient to extend from within the circulatory lumen to the outside of a patient's body, for receiving positive and negative pressure pulses from a pump to inflate and deflate the pumping balloon; a proximal expandable frame comprising a distal portion of an elongated shaft surrounding the catheter; and a distal expandable frame. The distal end of the elongated shaft is abuttable against a stopping element surrounding the catheter as the shaft is advanced towards the inflatable pumping balloon, or is joined to the catheter in which case the proximal expandable frame is heat set to deploy spontaneously to a predetermined diameter upon release of the elongated shaft.

Apparatus and methods are described including an impeller for use in a blood pump. An impeller frame includes proximal and distal end portions and at least one helical elongate element that winds from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. A material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. A mediator is coupled to the helical elongate element. The helical elongate element has a first stiffness, the material has a lower stiffness than the first stiffness, and the mediator is configured to enhance bonding between the helical elongate element and the material. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including an impeller for use in a blood pump. An impeller frame includes proximal and distal end portions and at least one helical elongate element that winds from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. A material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. A mediator is coupled to the helical elongate element. The helical elongate element has a first stiffness, the material has a lower stiffness than the first stiffness, and the mediator is configured to enhance bonding between the helical elongate element and the material. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described, including a catheter (20) configured to be placed inside a blood vessel of a subject. A first impeller (28) is disposed on the catheter, and a second impeller (28) is disposed on the catheter, proximally to the first impeller. A support structure (160) is disposed upon the catheter such that a longitudinal center of the support structure is disposed between the first and second impellers, the support structure being configured to support an inner wall of the blood vessel in an open configuration in a region between the first and second impellers. Other applications are also described.