Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes an impeller configured to be placed inside a left ventricle of a subject. A driving magnet is coupled to a motor and is rotated by the motor. A driven magnet is magnetically coupled to the driving magnet and is rotated by the driving magnet. A drive cable extends from the driven magnet and imparts rotational motion from the driven magnet to the impeller. A set of sensors is configured to detect a magnetic phase difference between the driven magnet and the driving magnet. A computer processor receives the detected magnetic phase difference and determines a physiological parameter of the subject, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing an impeller by forming a structure having first and second bushings at proximal and distal ends of the structure, the first and second bushings being connected to one another by at least one elongate element. The elongate element is caused to radially expand and form at least one helical elongate element, at least partially by axially compressing the structure. The helical elongate element is coated with a coupling agent configured to enhance bonding between the helical elongate element and an elastomeric layer. The coated helical elongate element is coated with the elastomeric layer. Subsequently, an elastomeric film is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the elastomeric film coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. Other applications are also described.

A rotor for a cardiac support system is disclosed. The rotor is assembled or can be assembled from at least four shell elements to form a hollow cylinder and/or on a shaft, wherein the shell elements are magnetized or can be magnetized alternately in magnetization direction which are oppositely directed or are orthogonal, so as to form a magnetized body having at least four magnetic poles.

A rotor for a cardiac support system is disclosed. The rotor is assembled or can be assembled from at least four shell elements to form a hollow cylinder and/or on a shaft, wherein the shell elements are magnetized or can be magnetized alternately in magnetization direction which are oppositely directed or are orthogonal, so as to form a magnetized body having at least four magnetic poles.

Modular mammalian body implantable fluid flow influencing device, comprising: docking unit having receiving surface, distal and proximal ends, proximal guide hole. Functional unit having docking surface shaped to mate with receiving surface, distal and proximal ends. Control wire extends from proximal end of functional unit then goes through guide hold then extends proximally away from docking unit. Functional and docking units are dimensioned and shaped to be deliverable to an implantation site via catheter. Functional unit has docked configuration in which docking surface mates with receiving surface of docking unit and undocked configuration in which docking surface is unmated with and spaced apart from receiving surface of docking unit. Functional unit moveable at implantation site between undocked and docked configurations via movement of control wire. Functional unit moveable into docked configuration by pulling control wire, and moveable from into undocked configuration by pushing control wire. Multiple functional units also disclosed.

Modular mammalian body implantable fluid flow influencing device, comprising: docking unit having receiving surface, distal and proximal ends, proximal guide hole. Functional unit having docking surface shaped to mate with receiving surface, distal and proximal ends. Control wire extends from proximal end of functional unit then goes through guide hold then extends proximally away from docking unit. Functional and docking units are dimensioned and shaped to be deliverable to an implantation site via catheter. Functional unit has docked configuration in which docking surface mates with receiving surface of docking unit and undocked configuration in which docking surface is unmated with and spaced apart from receiving surface of docking unit. Functional unit moveable at implantation site between undocked and docked configurations via movement of control wire. Functional unit moveable into docked configuration by pulling control wire, and moveable from into undocked configuration by pushing control wire. Multiple functional units also disclosed.

The invention provides intravascular devices for treating certain medical conditions such as edema without causing thrombosis. The intravascular devices of the disclosure include non-thrombogenic surfaces that improve blood compatibility by reducing device-related thrombus formation and inflammatory reactions. The non-thrombogenic surfaces may include surface topographies (e.g., surface roughness) and modified chemistries (e.g., coatings and/or treatments), which prevent thrombosis by reducing local shear forces and inhibiting adhesion of blood clotting factors.

Apparatus and methods are described including a catheter, and first and second impellers configured to be inserted into a subject's body via the catheter, the first and second impellers being disposed in series with each other. A motor is configured to generate rotational motion. A rotation shaft extends from the motor to the first impeller and imparts the rotational motion from the motor to the first impeller. A gear mechanism disposed between the first and second impeller is configured to effect a change in rotational motion that is imparted from the first impeller to the second impeller, such that the second impeller rotates in a different manner from the first impeller. Other applications are also described.

A centrifugal blood pump includes: a housing; a suction inlet for introducing blood into the housing; an impeller that is rotatably disposed in the housing and imparts a centrifugal flow to the blood introduced through the suction inlet by rotation; and a discharge outlet for discharging the blood given a centrifugal flow by the impeller. The impeller is formed in a double impeller structure including double vanes arranged vertically.

The present invention relates to a percutaneous blood pump (1) and an introducer system to be placed in the circulatory system of a patient e.g. using the Seldinger technique without the need of surgical access. The percutaneous blood pump (1) comprises a pump housing (11) inside which a radially pumping impeller (12) is arranged for rotation by means of a rotating flexible cable housed inside a protective flexible catheter (15) and attached to a bearing housing (21) in which a set of radial and axial bearings are housed and arranged for rotation by means of a flexible cable housed inside another protective flexible catheter (25) and driven by an electric motor (30) in a motor housing (31). In addition, an introducer system, comprising an expandable introducer is provided, arranged to facilitate easy and safe introduction of the percutaneous blood pump. The introducer system may comprise a hemostatic valve to limit blood loss during insertion and percutaneous blood pump use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a per-cutaneous blood pump that can be large enough to deliver full circulatory support and is easily and safely introduced into the circulatory system by means of an expandable introducer. The introducer system may include a closure device that is configured to close the incision site after removal of the blood pump and introducer.