The invention relates to a micromotor (10), the stator of which contains a back iron jacket (18). Said back iron jacket consists of a continuous unslotted sleeve consisting of a metal alloy that contains ferritic iron as the main constituent, up to 30% chromium and preferably aluminium and yttrium oxide. Electric conductivity is reduced by the oxidation of the aluminium. The yttrium oxide performs the same function. The reduced electric conductivity suppresses eddy currents to a great extent. The back iron jacket (18) has a high magnetic conductivity with a small wall thickness, thus increasing the electrical output for a motor with a small diameter.

The invention relates to a stator vane device (105) for guiding the flow of a fluid flowing out of an outlet opening (110) of a heart support system (100). The stator vane device (105) has at least one stator vane (115), which can be connected to the heart support system (100) and arranged in the region of the outlet opening (110). The at least one stator vane (115) is formed such that it can be folded together to take an insertion state of the heart support system (100) and can be unfolded to take a flow guiding state. The at least one stator vane (115) is designed to project radially or obliquely from the heart support system (100) in the flow guiding state.

The invention relates to a stator vane device (105) for guiding the flow of a fluid flowing out of an outlet opening (110) of a heart support system (100). The stator vane device (105) has at least one stator vane (115), which can be connected to the heart support system (100) and arranged in the region of the outlet opening (110). The at least one stator vane (115) is formed such that it can be folded together to take an insertion state of the heart support system (100) and can be unfolded to take a flow guiding state. The at least one stator vane (115) is designed to project radially or obliquely from the heart support system (100) in the flow guiding state.

The invention generally relates to heart pump systems. In some embodiments, a pressure sensor is provided with a heart pump, either at the inflow or the outflow of the blood pump. The heart pump may further include a flow estimator based on a rotor drive current signal delivered to the rotor. Based on the rotor drive current signal, a differential pressure across the pump may be calculated. The differential pressure in combination with the pressure measurements from the pressure sensor may be used to calculate pressure on the opposite side of the pump from the pressure sensor. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is located at the outflow of the pump and the pump is coupled with the left ventricle. The differential pressure and pressure measurement may be used to calculate a left ventricular pressure waveform of the patient. With such a measurement, other physiological parameters may be derived.

The invention generally relates to heart pump systems. In some embodiments, a pressure sensor is provided with a heart pump, either at the inflow or the outflow of the blood pump. The heart pump may further include a flow estimator based on a rotor drive current signal delivered to the rotor. Based on the rotor drive current signal, a differential pressure across the pump may be calculated. The differential pressure in combination with the pressure measurements from the pressure sensor may be used to calculate pressure on the opposite side of the pump from the pressure sensor. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is located at the outflow of the pump and the pump is coupled with the left ventricle. The differential pressure and pressure measurement may be used to calculate a left ventricular pressure waveform of the patient. With such a measurement, other physiological parameters may be derived.

A fluid pump conveys a fluid, such as blood. A fluid channel that is bounded by a channel wall and a rotor arranged in the fluid channel and that is rotatably mounted about a pivot point of the bearing with a mechanical, hydrodynamic and/or hydrostatic, axial and radial bearing. The fluid channel has a spherical section and the rotor has a rotor body and a conveying element that is arranged within the spherical section of the fluid channel and configured to generate a substantially spherical rotational area of the rotor. The spherical center of the spherical section of the fluid channel and the spherical center of the spherical rotational area substantially coincide with the pivot point so that a minimum distance between the rotor and the channel wall is maintained in the spherical section upon a tilting of the rotor.

A centrifugal blood pump includes a housing having a pumping chamber, an inlet having an inlet axis, and an outlet having an outlet axis. The inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. The pump further includes an impeller rotatably disposed within the pumping chamber, and a strut connected to the housing at the inlet. The strut is connected to the housing at a circumferential position about the inlet axis such that a major axis of the strut and the outlet axis define a predetermined angle in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the inlet axis. The circumferential position of the strut relative the outlet axis reduces or eliminates damage to blood flowing around the strut.

A centrifugal blood pump includes a housing having a pumping chamber, an inlet having an inlet axis, and an outlet having an outlet axis. The inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. The pump further includes an impeller rotatably disposed within the pumping chamber, and a strut connected to the housing at the inlet. The strut is connected to the housing at a circumferential position about the inlet axis such that a major axis of the strut and the outlet axis define a predetermined angle in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the inlet axis. The circumferential position of the strut relative the outlet axis reduces or eliminates damage to blood flowing around the strut.

A method of operating a blood pump that is purged with a purge solution that contains a pH controlling and buffering agent combined with aqueous dextrose and a reduced amount of heparin or no heparin. The blood pump has a gap between a shaft and housing through which the purge solution flows. In operation, the purge solution exits the housing and is discharged into the patient. The purge solution is therefore required to perform lubricating and heat transfer functions in the pump yet be biocompatible with the patient.

A blood flow assist system can include an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft and an impeller on the impeller shaft, a primary flow pathway disposed along an exterior surface of the impeller. The system can include a rotor assembly at a proximal portion of the impeller shaft. A secondary flow pathway can be disposed along a lumen of the impeller shaft. During operation of the blood flow assist system, blood can be pumped proximally along the primary flow pathway and the secondary flow pathway. The system can include a sleeve bearing distal the impeller. The system can include a drive unit having a distal end disposed distal a proximal end of the second impeller. The drive unit comprising a drive magnet and a drive bearing between the drive magnet and the impeller assembly.