A catheter pump is provided that includes a rotatable impeller and an elongate cannula. The elongate cannula has a mesh that has a plurality of circumferential members disposed about the impeller. The elongate cannula has a plurality of axial connector extending between a proximal side of a distal circumferential member and a distal side of a proximal circumferential member. The circumferential members are radially self-expandable. The cannula is configured to minimize fracture within at least in the distal zone of the mesh as the elongated cannula moves into a sheathing device.

A method of determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump including determining a pump speed and a pump flow value; analyzing the pump speed and the pump flow value to a pump loss constant value; determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of a cardiac cycle based on the analysis of the pump speed and the pump flow value to the pump loss constant value; determining a mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the determined graft hydraulic resistance value; comparing the mean arterial pressure index of the patient to a mean arterial pressure index range; and generating an alert when the mean arterial pressure index varies with respect to a mean arterial pressure index range.

A method of determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump including determining a pump speed and a pump flow value; analyzing the pump speed and the pump flow value to a pump loss constant value; determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of a cardiac cycle based on the analysis of the pump speed and the pump flow value to the pump loss constant value; determining a mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the determined graft hydraulic resistance value; comparing the mean arterial pressure index of the patient to a mean arterial pressure index range; and generating an alert when the mean arterial pressure index varies with respect to a mean arterial pressure index range.

Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device that includes an impeller (50) and a frame (34) disposed around the impeller (50). The frame (34) includes strut junctions (33) at a proximal end of the frame, the strut junctions (33) being configured to be maintained in open states, during assembly of the left ventricular assist device, to facilitate insertion of the impeller (50) into the frame (34). A securing element (117) holds the struts junctions in closed states, subsequent to the insertion of the impeller (50) into the frame (34). A pump-outlet tube (24) extends to a distal end of the frame (34) and defines one or more lateral blood inlet openings (108) that are configured to allow blood to flow from the subject's left ventricle into the pump-outlet tube (24). Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device that includes an impeller (50) and a frame (34) disposed around the impeller (50). The frame (34) includes strut junctions (33) at a proximal end of the frame, the strut junctions (33) being configured to be maintained in open states, during assembly of the left ventricular assist device, to facilitate insertion of the impeller (50) into the frame (34). A securing element (117) holds the struts junctions in closed states, subsequent to the insertion of the impeller (50) into the frame (34). A pump-outlet tube (24) extends to a distal end of the frame (34) and defines one or more lateral blood inlet openings (108) that are configured to allow blood to flow from the subject's left ventricle into the pump-outlet tube (24). Other applications are also described.

A method for controlled purging of a blood pump and a blood pump assembly for implementing the method are provided. The blood pump is in fluid communication with a purging device. The purging device comprises a purge reservoir and a supplemental reservoir configured to be fluidically connected to the blood pump. The purge reservoir is configured to receive a purge fluid and the supplemental reservoir configured to receive a supplemental purge fluid. At least a portion of the blood pump is inserted into a patient and operated. A flow of the purge fluid is provided from the purge reservoir to the blood pump. A purge flow parameter at the blood pump is measured using a measuring device and when it is determined by a controller that the purge flow parameter meets a predetermined threshold, a remediation protocol is identified.

A method for controlled purging of a blood pump and a blood pump assembly for implementing the method are provided. The blood pump is in fluid communication with a purging device. The purging device comprises a purge reservoir and a supplemental reservoir configured to be fluidically connected to the blood pump. The purge reservoir is configured to receive a purge fluid and the supplemental reservoir configured to receive a supplemental purge fluid. At least a portion of the blood pump is inserted into a patient and operated. A flow of the purge fluid is provided from the purge reservoir to the blood pump. A purge flow parameter at the blood pump is measured using a measuring device and when it is determined by a controller that the purge flow parameter meets a predetermined threshold, a remediation protocol is identified.

A cable that includes a first tubular body defining a first lumen therethrough, a tubular purge body disposed within the first lumen and extending along at least a portion of a length of the first lumen, the tubular purge body defining a purge lumen arranged to transfer a fluid therethrough, and at least one tubular electrical wire body disposed within the first lumen, each tubular electrical wire body defining an electrical wire lumen therethrough for receiving one or more electrical wires. The cable may also include one or more overmolds and one or more cases. The cable may be operably connected between a handle for a medical device and a controller.

A cable that includes a first tubular body defining a first lumen therethrough, a tubular purge body disposed within the first lumen and extending along at least a portion of a length of the first lumen, the tubular purge body defining a purge lumen arranged to transfer a fluid therethrough, and at least one tubular electrical wire body disposed within the first lumen, each tubular electrical wire body defining an electrical wire lumen therethrough for receiving one or more electrical wires. The cable may also include one or more overmolds and one or more cases. The cable may be operably connected between a handle for a medical device and a controller.

Materials and methods related to blood pump systems are described. These can be used in patients to, for example, monitor arterial pressure, measure blood flow, maintain left ventricular pressure within a particular range, avoid left ventricular collapse, prevent fusion of the aortic valve in a subject having a blood pump, and provide a means to wean a patient from a blood pump.