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.

A ventricular support system including a light source, a fiber optic splitter, two or more filters, an intravascular blood pump having two or more sensor heads, and a photodetector is disclosed. At least some of the light transmitted by the light source is split by the fiber optic splitter such that a portion is transmitted to each of the two or more filters. Each portion of light is filtered by one of the two or more filters and transmitted to one of the two or more sensor heads. Light beams reflected from each of the two or more sensor heads are combined by the fiber optic splitter. At least some of the combined light beams are received by the photodetector. By only using a single light source and a single photodetector with the two or more sensor heads, the ventricular support system may have improved portability.

A ventricular support system including a light source, a fiber optic splitter, two or more filters, an intravascular blood pump having two or more sensor heads, and a photodetector is disclosed. At least some of the light transmitted by the light source is split by the fiber optic splitter such that a portion is transmitted to each of the two or more filters. Each portion of light is filtered by one of the two or more filters and transmitted to one of the two or more sensor heads. Light beams reflected from each of the two or more sensor heads are combined by the fiber optic splitter. At least some of the combined light beams are received by the photodetector. By only using a single light source and a single photodetector with the two or more sensor heads, the ventricular support system may have improved portability.

An inflow cannula for an implantable blood pump having an impeller defining a plurality of flow channels, the inflow cannula includes a proximal end a distal end proximate the impeller, the distal end including a protuberance extending outward from the inflow cannula.

An inflow cannula for an implantable blood pump having an impeller defining a plurality of flow channels, the inflow cannula includes a proximal end a distal end proximate the impeller, the distal end including a protuberance extending outward from the inflow cannula.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an implantable blood pump includes a housing defining a flow path, a rotor positioned within the flow path, and a motor including a stator, positioned outside of said housing, the stator including a length of silver wire, wherein the silver wire is not positioned within a hermetically sealed compartment once the blood pump is ready for implantation into a patient in need thereof. The present invention may also include a method of implanting the implantable blood pump including the step of implanting the blood pump within the patient and within or adjacent to the vasculature.

A wireless power system capable of transmitting power through the skin over distances ranging from a few inches to several feet includes an external transmitting coil assembly and a receiving coil assembly. A transmitting resonant coil and a receiving resonant coil are constructed as to have closely matched or identical resonant frequencies so that the magnetic field produced by the transmitting resonant coil is able to cause the receiving resonant coil to resonate strongly also, even when the distance between the two resonant coils greatly exceeds the largest dimension of either coil. The receiving resonant coil then creates its own local time varying magnetic field, which inductively produces a voltage to provide power to an active implantable medical device or implantable rechargeable battery.

A flushing system for a catheter, in particular for a catheter of a catheter pump, comprising a supply line having a pump section, a discharge line having a pump section and a pump, wherein the diameter of the pump section of the discharge line is smaller than the diameter of the pump section of the supply conduit, the pump interacts with the pump section of the supply line for supplying flushing fluid to the catheter, and the pump interacts with the pump section of the discharge line for discharging flushing fluid from the catheter.

A flushing system for a catheter, in particular for a catheter of a catheter pump, comprising a supply line having a pump section, a discharge line having a pump section and a pump, wherein the diameter of the pump section of the discharge line is smaller than the diameter of the pump section of the supply conduit, the pump interacts with the pump section of the supply line for supplying flushing fluid to the catheter, and the pump interacts with the pump section of the discharge line for discharging flushing fluid from the catheter.