An apparatus is disclosed including: an intracardiac pump device having a path for a guidewire extending through the pump device from a first opening to a second opening; and a lumen which extends from a first end located outside of the pump device, into the pump device through the first opening in the pump device, along the path for the guidewire, out of the pump device through the second opening, and to a second end located outside of the pump device. The lumen is configured to receive the guidewire such that when the guidewire passes through the lumen from the first end to the second end, the guidewire is positioned along the path.

A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and magnetically driven.

A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and magnetically driven.

A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and magnetically driven.

A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and magnetically driven.

A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and magnetically driven.

A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and magnetically driven.

An apparatus is disclosed including: an intracardiac pump device having a path for a guidewire extending through the pump device from a first opening to a second opening; and a lumen which extends from a first end located outside of the pump device, into the pump device through the first opening in the pump device, along the path for the guidewire, out of the pump device through the second opening, and to a second end located outside of the pump device. The lumen is configured to receive the guidewire such that when the guidewire passes through the lumen from the first end to the second end, the guidewire is positioned along the path.

A cardiac assist system includes a pneumatic effector which is implanted beneath a pericardial sac and over a myocardial surface overlying the patient's left ventricle. A port is implanted and receives a percutaneously introduced cannula. The port is connected to supply a driving gas received from the cannula to the pneumatic effector. An external drive unit includes a pump assembly and control circuitry which operate the pump to actuate the pneumatic effector in response to the patient's sensed heart rhythm. A connecting tube has a pump end connected to the pump and a percutaneous port-connecting end attached to the implantable port.

A cardiac assist system includes a pneumatic effector which is implanted beneath a pericardial sac and over a myocardial surface overlying the patient's left ventricle. A port is implanted and receives a percutaneously introduced cannula. The port is connected to supply a driving gas received from the cannula to the pneumatic effector. An external drive unit includes a pump assembly and control circuitry which operate the pump to actuate the pneumatic effector in response to the patient's sensed heart rhythm. A connecting tube has a pump end connected to the pump and a percutaneous port-connecting end attached to the implantable port.