The present disclosure is directed generally to mechanical cardiovascular support systems used in the medical field to assist the movement of blood. In particular the present disclosure is directed to mechanical cardiovascular support systems where an impeller is connected to a motor via a rotary drive shaft, the motor is contained in a motor compartment, the rotary drive shaft extends from the motor compartment, and a mechanical seal, for example a rotary shaft lip seal, prevents blood from entering the motor compartment. The seal may have an inverted radial shaft seal, have two opposing radial shaft seals, and/or have one or more elastomeric discs, among other features.

A pump for immersion in a fluid includesan inductor having guide vanes to induce linear fluid flow; a rotor with a central, flared body, this rotor being downstream of the inductor relative to the direction of fluid circulation; a helical blade provided around the central body; this helical blade having a flared external profile and having turns with an increasing winding pitch, and the internal casing volume being complementary to the flared helical blade, a casing around the rotor; a diffuser having blades making the flow of fluid linear and disposed downstream of the rotor to evacuate the fluid from the rotor; anda diffuser insert having blades and an outlet orifice with a diameter less than the inlet diameter of the diffuser insert, the blades directing the fluid from the diffuser towards the orifice to increase the orifice outlet pressure.

A micro pumping mechanism is proposed to generate flow in micro channels of micro fluidic devices and three dimensional microprocessors cooled by the flow of coolant fluids. The proposed micro pump comprises a rotating disk inside a chamber, which overlaps with the fluidic micro channel. The rotating disk induces a shear flow across the micro channel, transporting fluid elements in the direction of the rotation of the disk. The disk can be rotated by external magnetic or electric fields as in direct drive, induction, or electrostatic motors.

Sensors for catheter pumps are disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly comprising a catheter and a cannula coupled to a distal portion of the catheter. The cannula can have a proximal port for permitting the flow of blood therethrough. The catheter assembly can include a sensor to be disposed near the proximal port. A processing unit can be programmed to process a signal detected by the sensor. The processing unit can comprise a computer-readable set of rules to evaluate the signal to determine a position of the cannula relative to an aortic valve of a patient.

The present disclosure provides intravascular ventricular assist devices for insertion into the vasculature of an individual to improve the overall blood flow of the individual. In many embodiments, the intravascular ventricular assist devices described herein provide an individual with an intravascular ventricular assist device that is sized and configured for insertion into an aortic root or pulmonary root such that its reduced size and placement provide the individual with an improved quality of life. The intravascular ventricular assist devices described herein utilize a pump and optionally a prosthetic valve in combination with a self-expandable or balloon expandable stent or frame to allow placement within the aortic root or the pulmonary root such that a functioning valve works in combination with the pump to increase blood flow within the heart. Both intravascular left ventricular assist devices and intravascular right ventricular assist devices are within the scope of the present disclosure. Processes for implanting the intravascular ventricular assist devices are also disclosed herein.

Provided is a slide device which includes a fixed-side slide member having an annular-shaped first slide surface, and a rotary-side slide member having an annular-shaped second slide surface, with the slide device being configured such that the first slide surface and the second slide surface are positioned opposite to each other, and an outer peripheral side of the fixed-side slide member and an outer peripheral side of the rotary-side slide member are brought into contact with a liquid containing a blood component, and a region where the first slide surface and the second slide surface face each other along the rotary-side slide member, the first slide surface and the second slide surface are brought into contact with each other on an outermost periphery of the opposite-facing region of the first and second slide surfaces.

A catheter pump assembly is provided that includes an elongate polymeric catheter body, a cannula, and a tubular interface. The elongate polymeric catheter body has a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula has an expandable portion disposed distally of the elongate polymeric catheter body. The cannula can also have another tubular portion that is proximal to the distal portion. The tubular interface has an outer surface configured to be joined to the tubular portion of the cannula and an inner surface. The inner surface is disposed over the distal end of the elongate polymeric catheter body. The tubular interface has a plurality of transverse channels extending outward from the inner surface of the tubular interface. An outer surface of the elongate polymeric catheter body projects into the transverse channels to mechanically integrate the elongate polymeric catheter body with the tubular interface.

A catheter pump assembly is provided that includes an elongate polymeric catheter body, a cannula, and a tubular interface. The elongate polymeric catheter body has a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula has an expandable portion disposed distally of the elongate polymeric catheter body. The cannula can also have another tubular portion that is proximal to the distal portion. The tubular interface has an outer surface configured to be joined to the tubular portion of the cannula and an inner surface. The inner surface is disposed over the distal end of the elongate polymeric catheter body. The tubular interface has a plurality of transverse channels extending outward from the inner surface of the tubular interface. An outer surface of the elongate polymeric catheter body projects into the transverse channels to mechanically integrate the elongate polymeric catheter body with the tubular interface.

Sensors for catheter pumps are disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly comprising a catheter and a cannula coupled to a distal portion of the catheter. The cannula can have a proximal port for permitting the flow of blood therethrough. The catheter assembly can include a sensor to be disposed near the proximal port. A processing unit can be programmed to process a signal detected by the sensor. The processing unit can comprise a computer-readable set of rules to evaluate the signal to determine a position of the cannula relative to an aortic valve of a patient.

Sensors for catheter pumps are disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly comprising a catheter and a cannula coupled to a distal portion of the catheter. The cannula can have a proximal port for permitting the flow of blood therethrough. The catheter assembly can include a sensor to be disposed near the proximal port. A processing unit can be programmed to process a signal detected by the sensor. The processing unit can comprise a computer-readable set of rules to evaluate the signal to determine a position of the cannula relative to an aortic valve of a patient.