Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods that employ a pump to assist or support blood flow. An apparatus for pumping blood may include a pump housing having an outer wall disposed about a longitudinal pump axis, and having an upstream end and a downstream end; a blood flow straightener having a plurality of fins and positioned in the upstream end of the pump housing and secured to the pump housing by the plurality of fins; a diffuser having a plurality of diffuser fins and positioned in the downstream end of the pump housing and secured to the pump housing by the plurality of diffuser fins; and an impeller positioned between the blood flow straightener and the diffuser, and including a plurality of impeller blades. The apparatus may further include a pump drive configured to impart a rotational motion to the impeller by applying a magnetic field.

Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods that employ a pump to assist or support blood flow. An apparatus for pumping blood may include a pump housing having an outer wall disposed about a longitudinal pump axis, and having an upstream end and a downstream end; a blood flow straightener having a plurality of fins and positioned in the upstream end of the pump housing and secured to the pump housing by the plurality of fins; a diffuser having a plurality of diffuser fins and positioned in the downstream end of the pump housing and secured to the pump housing by the plurality of diffuser fins; and an impeller positioned between the blood flow straightener and the diffuser, and including a plurality of impeller blades. The apparatus may further include a pump drive configured to impart a rotational motion to the impeller by applying a magnetic field.

A blood pump includes an impeller; a drive shaft coupled to the impeller and configured to rotate with the impeller; a motor configured to drive the impeller; and a bearing assembly disposed adjacent the motor and configured to receive an end of the drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a bearing, where the end of the drive shaft is at least partially rounded, and the where the bearing includes a concave depression defined in a first side of the bearing, where the depression is configured to receive the end of the drive shaft. The bearing assembly may include a lubricant chamber configured to hold a lubricant.

A blood pump includes an impeller; a drive shaft coupled to the impeller and configured to rotate with the impeller; a motor configured to drive the impeller; and a bearing assembly disposed adjacent the motor and configured to receive an end of the drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a bearing, where the end of the drive shaft is at least partially rounded, and the where the bearing includes a concave depression defined in a first side of the bearing, where the depression is configured to receive the end of the drive shaft. The bearing assembly may include a lubricant chamber configured to hold a lubricant.

A bearing assembly is configured to retain a distal end of an impeller of a blood pump, where the impeller includes a drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a pivot member coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft; a distal bearing cup having a proximally-facing surface configured to engage at least a portion of a distal section of the pivot member; and a sleeve bearing disposed around at least a portion of a proximal section of the pivot member.

A bearing assembly is configured to retain a distal end of an impeller of a blood pump, where the impeller includes a drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a pivot member coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft; a distal bearing cup having a proximally-facing surface configured to engage at least a portion of a distal section of the pivot member; and a sleeve bearing disposed around at least a portion of a proximal section of the pivot member.

A percutaneous circulatory support device includes a housing having a proximal end portion and a motor carried by the housing. A driving magnet is operatively coupled to the motor, and a driven magnet is operatively coupled to the driving magnet. The driven magnet includes a frustoconical shape. An impeller is disposed within the housing, and the impeller is operatively coupled to the driven magnet. The motor rotates the impeller, via the driving magnet and the driven magnet, relative to the impeller housing to cause blood to flow through the percutaneous circulatory support device and blood is inhibited from pooling in the proximal end portion of the impeller housing.

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.

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 percutaneous circulatory support device includes an impeller housing having an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is rotatably fixed relative to the impeller housing. An impeller is configured to rotate relative to the shaft and the impeller housing to cause blood to flow into the inlet, through the impeller housing, and out of the outlet.