A blood pump including a housing having an inflow tube defining a major axis spanning through the inflow tube and a flow path spanning along the major axis, a rotor disposed within the inflow tube, the rotor and the inflow tube defining a gap therebetween, a stator surrounding the inflow tube and the rotor, and the housing defining an access conduit spanning through the inflow tube and the stator transverse to the major axis, the access conduit being in communication with the gap.

Apparatus and methods are described for manufacturing a housing for an impeller of a blood pump. A mandrel is placed inside an inner lining, with a central cylindrical portion of a frame disposed around the inner lining, the mandrel being shorter than a length of the inner lining. A portion of an elongate tube is placed around at least a portion of the frame. The inner lining, the frame and the portion of the elongate tube are heated, via the mandrel, and, while heating the inner lining, the frame, and the portion of the elongate tube, pressure is applied from outside the portion of the elongate tube, such as to cause the portion of the elongate tube to become coupled to the frame. Other applications are also described.

A catheter pump having a rotor shaft rotatably arranged in the inner catheter for driving an expandable conveyor element provided at the pump head. The conveyor element is rotatably mounted between a. distal hearing point and a proximal bearing point, wherein the outer catheter has a sleeve section on the distal end thereof surrounding the proximal bearing point, and wherein the proximal bearing point can be moved in the axial direction relative to the sleeve section in order to expand the conveyor element, wherein the proximal bearing point comprises a bearing receiver having a rotational bearing point for a rotary head rotationally fixed to the distal end of the rotor shaft, and a force application point at an axial distance to same for a force application section provided at the distal end of the inner catheter for axially moving the proximal bearing points relative to the sleeve section.

A catheter pump having a rotor shaft rotatably arranged in the inner catheter for driving an expandable conveyor element provided at the pump head. The conveyor element is rotatably mounted between a. distal hearing point and a proximal bearing point, wherein the outer catheter has a sleeve section on the distal end thereof surrounding the proximal bearing point, and wherein the proximal bearing point can be moved in the axial direction relative to the sleeve section in order to expand the conveyor element, wherein the proximal bearing point comprises a bearing receiver having a rotational bearing point for a rotary head rotationally fixed to the distal end of the rotor shaft, and a force application point at an axial distance to same for a force application section provided at the distal end of the inner catheter for axially moving the proximal bearing points relative to the sleeve section.

Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes an impeller disposed within a frame and configured to pump blood through a pump-outlet tube and out of one of more blood outlet openings. The frame includes an inner lining. A protective braid is disposed over a distal portion of the frame and configured to block structures from the subject's left ventricle from entering into the frame. A proximal end of the protective braid is embedded between the pump-outlet tube and the inner lining, such that, during crimping of the frame, the braid becomes crimped with the pump-outlet tube and the inner lining, thereby preventing the braid from moving with respect to pump-outlet tube or the inner lining. Other applications are also described.

A blood pump is described that includes an impeller having proximal and distal bushings, at least one helical elongate element, a spring that is disposed inside of the helical elongate element and along an axis around which the helical elongate element winds, and a film of material supported between the helical elongate element and the spring. A frame is disposed around the impeller. A flexible elongate element extends radially from the spring to the helical elongate element, and maintains the helical elongate element within a given distance from the spring, to thereby maintain a gap between an outer edge of a blade of the impeller and an inner surface of the frame, during rotation of the impeller. Other applications are also described.

A blood pump is described that includes an impeller having proximal and distal bushings, at least one helical elongate element, a spring that is disposed inside of the helical elongate element and along an axis around which the helical elongate element winds, and a film of material supported between the helical elongate element and the spring. A frame is disposed around the impeller. A flexible elongate element extends radially from the spring to the helical elongate element, and maintains the helical elongate element within a given distance from the spring, to thereby maintain a gap between an outer edge of a blade of the impeller and an inner surface of the frame, during rotation of the impeller. Other applications are also described.

A catheter system includes a catheter including an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof, and an introducer sheath assembly disposed over a proximal section of the catheter. The introducer sheath assembly includes an introducer sheath disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween, and a tubular plug. The introducer sheath includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen therein. The tubular plug extends through the lumen and includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end that protrudes from the introducer sheath distal end. The plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. The plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

A catheter system includes a catheter including an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof, and an introducer sheath assembly disposed over a proximal section of the catheter. The introducer sheath assembly includes an introducer sheath disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween, and a tubular plug. The introducer sheath includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen therein. The tubular plug extends through the lumen and includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end that protrudes from the introducer sheath distal end. The plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. The plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

A heart pump assembly having a blood inlet configured to increase blood flow into the heart pump assembly is disclosed herein. The heart pump assembly includes a motor housing, a cannula connected to the motor housing, and a blood inlet connected to the cannula. The blood inlet has a distal body portion, a proximal body portion defining an inlet conduit therewithin, and a plurality of cage openings defined and positioned between the distal and proximal body portions. The inlet conduit has one of a tapered portion, a frustrum-shaped portion, or both a tapered portion and a frustrum-shaped portion and is adapted to reduce flow turbulence at the blood inlet and increase the blood flow into the heart pump.