An introducer sheath for using in delivering a device includes a proximal end opposite a distal end and a body portion, the body portion defining a lumen of the introducer sheath configured for receiving the device, a first portion of the introducer sheath having a compressed configuration defined by a compressed diameter and an expanded configuration defined by an expanded diameter, and at least one actuator configured for transitioning the first portion from the compressed diameter to the expanded diameter.

An introducer sheath for using in delivering a device includes a proximal end opposite a distal end and a body portion, the body portion defining a lumen of the introducer sheath configured for receiving the device, a first portion of the introducer sheath having a compressed configuration defined by a compressed diameter and an expanded configuration defined by an expanded diameter, and at least one actuator configured for transitioning the first portion from the compressed diameter to the expanded diameter.

An introducer sheath for use in delivering devices includes a proximal portion opposite a distal portion and a body portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the body portion defining a lumen of the introducer sheath configured for receiving at least one device, at least one bypass opening positioned in the proximal portion of the introducer sheath such that the bypass opening extends from an exterior of the introducer sheath to the lumen of the introducer sheath, and at least one plug configured to positioned within the lumen of the introducer sheath and to inhibit the flow of blood into the lumen proximal of the plug.

An intravascular blood pump (1) comprises a pump casing (2) having a blood flow inlet (21) and a blood flow outlet (22), and an impeller (3) arranged in said pump casing (2) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the impeller (3) has blades (31) sized and shaped for conveying blood from the blood flow inlet (21) to the blood flow outlet (22). The blood pump (1) further comprises a drive unit (104) for rotating the impeller (3), the drive unit (104) comprising a plurality of posts (140) arranged about the axis of rotation (10). Coil windings (47) around the posts are sequentially controllable so as to create a rotating magnetic field. The shaft portion (141) of each of the posts (140) comprises a soft magnetic material which is discontinuous in cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective post (140).

An intravascular blood pump (1) comprises a pump casing (2) having a blood flow inlet (21) and a blood flow outlet (22), and an impeller (3) arranged in said pump casing (2) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the impeller (3) has blades (31) sized and shaped for conveying blood from the blood flow inlet (21) to the blood flow outlet (22). The blood pump (1) further comprises a drive unit (104) for rotating the impeller (3), the drive unit (104) comprising a plurality of posts (140) arranged about the axis of rotation (10). Coil windings (47) around the posts are sequentially controllable so as to create a rotating magnetic field. The shaft portion (141) of each of the posts (140) comprises a soft magnetic material which is discontinuous in cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective post (140).

A minimally invasive circulatory support device, system, and related methods. The circulatory assist devices, systems, and methods use low profile catheter-based techniques and provide temporary and chronic circulatory support depending on the needs of the patient. The circulatory assist device, systems, and methods include a stent cage and an impeller. The stent cage is formed of a first material that is sufficiently rigid to expand radially outward and press against an artery wall is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath. The impeller includes at least one blade formed of a second material that is sufficiently rigid to expand and retain shape while rotating and assisting blood to flow within the artery and is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath with the stent cage.

Catheter blood pumps that include collapsible blood conduits and one or more collapsible impellers. The catheter blood pumps include an outflow and an expandable flow diverter disposed in an outflow region. The expandable flow diverters can be completely proximal to a proximal end of the collapsible blood conduit.

Catheter blood pumps that include collapsible blood conduits and one or more collapsible impellers. The catheter blood pumps include an outflow and an expandable flow diverter disposed in an outflow region. The expandable flow diverters can be completely proximal to a proximal end of the collapsible blood conduit.

A method for treating a patient may include establishing an anastomosis between a pulmonary artery and an aorta; and pumping blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta when the pulmonary artery has a pressure lower than or equal to a pressure of the aorta.

In various embodiments, a catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include an elongated catheter body having a distal portion including an expandable cannula having an inlet and an outlet. An impeller assembly can include an impeller shaft and one or more blades. The impeller blades can draw blood into the expandable cannula when rotated. Further, an expandable support can have a mounting portion. The mounting portion can have a cylindrical member disposed on the impeller shaft and can include an enlarged distal portion at a distal end of the impeller shaft and a nose member. Further, a re-sealable member can be disposed in the enlarged distal portion of the cylindrical member and can have a path through the re-sealable member through which a guidewire can be positioned. Further, the nose member can have an aperture distal of the re-sealable member for passage of the guidewire.