A rotor for a pump has a housing and a rotor, and has at least one blade. The rotor is able to be actuated to rotate about an axis of rotation in order to convey a fluid in the axial or radial direction, and the rotor is able to be deformed in the radial direction between a first, radially compressed state and a second, radially expanded state. At a maximum speed of rotation of the rotor at which the power of the pump is at a maximum, the blade is essentially radially oriented, and/or the rotor has its maximum diameter.

In a pump housing having an interior for accommodating a pump rotor, which may be transferred from a radially compressed state into a radially expanded state, and comprises a housing skin revolving in circumferential direction, as well as at least one reinforcement element, a stretch-resistant element revolving in circumferential direction is provided, which is stretched less than 5% in the expanded state as opposed to the force-free state in circumferential direction, and which limits any further expansion of the pump housing in radial direction.

In a pump housing having an interior for accommodating a pump rotor, which may be transferred from a radially compressed state into a radially expanded state, and comprises a housing skin revolving in circumferential direction, as well as at least one reinforcement element, a stretch-resistant element revolving in circumferential direction is provided, which is stretched less than 5% in the expanded state as opposed to the force-free state in circumferential direction, and which limits any further expansion of the pump housing in radial direction.

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.

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.

A method for gripping the pericardium uses a device with an outer part and an inner part. The device is pushed through an incision towards the pericardium until an end of the device touches the pericardium or the heart or a layer arranged on the heart. Subsequently, the inner part is moved until at least one outer part end and/or an inner part end is arranged on the pericardium. The device for gripping the pericardium has an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube have end surfaces with different surface structures.

A method for gripping the pericardium uses a device with an outer part and an inner part. The device is pushed through an incision towards the pericardium until an end of the device touches the pericardium or the heart or a layer arranged on the heart. Subsequently, the inner part is moved until at least one outer part end and/or an inner part end is arranged on the pericardium. The device for gripping the pericardium has an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube have end surfaces with different surface structures.