A blood pump (10) includes a pump housing (30) having a pump inlet (16) and a pump outlet (18) spaced apart along a longitudinally extending central pump axis (28). The blood pump (10) also includes a rotating assembly (100) comprising an impeller (104). The blood pump (10) further includes partial arc journal bearings (160, 180) that support the rotating assembly (100) for rotation in the housing (30). The rotating assembly (100) is rotatable relative to the housing (30) to pump blood from the pump inlet (16) to the pump outlet (18).

A blood pump (10) includes a pump housing (30) having a pump inlet (16) and a pump outlet (18) spaced apart along a longitudinally extending central pump axis (28). The blood pump (10) also includes a rotating assembly (100) comprising an impeller (104). The blood pump (10) further includes partial arc journal bearings (160, 180) that support the rotating assembly (100) for rotation in the housing (30). The rotating assembly (100) is rotatable relative to the housing (30) to pump blood from the pump inlet (16) to the pump outlet (18).

The invention relates to a blood pump for the invasive application within a body of a patient comprising a rotor (43, 27) which is drivable about an axis of rotation and is radially compressible or expandable and which has a hub (18, 28) and at least one impeller blade (14, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30) fastened thereto, as well as comprising a housing (19, 19) which is compressible or expandable in the radial direction by an axial stretching or axial compression. The object of making both the rotor and the housing expandable and compressible in as simple a manner as possible is achieved in accordance with the invention in that a control body (21) is provided which passes through the hub (18) in the longitudinal direction, which is freely axially displaceable relative to the hub and which is coupled to the housing on the distal side of the rotor such that it exerts pulling and/or compression forces on the housing by a movement in the longitudinal direction with respect to the housing.

The present invention provides an intravascular blood pump comprising a pump assembly without a flow inducer or diffuser, and proximal and distal flow rate or pressure sensors, wherein the distal flow rate or pressure sensor may be tracked distal to the impeller after placement of the blood pump within the patient's vasculature.

A catheter pump assembly is provided that includes a proximal a distal portion, a catheter body, an impeller, and a flow modifying structure. The catheter body has a lumen that extends along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal portions. The impeller is disposed at the distal portion. The impeller includes a blade with a trailing edge. The flow modifying structure is disposed downstream of the impeller. The flow modifying structure has a plurality of blades having a leading edge substantially parallel to and in close proximity to the trailing edge of the blade of the impeller and an expanse extending downstream from the leading edge. In some embodiments, the expanse has a first region with higher curvature and a second region with lower curvature. The first region is between the leading edge and the second region.

The invention generally relates to improved medical blood pump devices, systems, and methods. For example, blood pumps may be provided that include a housing defining a blood flow path between an inlet and an outlet. A rotor may be positioned in the blood flow path. A motor stator may be driven to rotate the rotor to provide the blood flow through the pump. Axial and/or tilt stabilization components may be provided to increase an axial and/or tilt stabilization of the rotor within the blood flow path. In some embodiments, biasing forces are provided that urge the rotor toward a bearing component. The biasing force may be provided by adjusting drive signals of the motor stator. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more magnets (e.g., permanent/stator magnets) may be provided to bias the rotor in the upstream and/or downstream direction (e.g., toward a bearing (chamfer, step, conical), or the like).

The invention generally relates to improved medical blood pump devices, systems, and methods. For example, blood pumps may be provided that include a housing defining a blood flow path between an inlet and an outlet. A rotor may be positioned in the blood flow path. A motor stator may be driven to rotate the rotor to provide the blood flow through the pump. Axial and/or tilt stabilization components may be provided to increase an axial and/or tilt stabilization of the rotor within the blood flow path. In some embodiments, biasing forces are provided that urge the rotor toward a bearing component. The biasing force may be provided by adjusting drive signals of the motor stator. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more magnets (e.g., permanent/stator magnets) may be provided to bias the rotor in the upstream and/or downstream direction (e.g., toward a bearing (chamfer, step, conical), or the like).

Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes an impeller configured to be placed inside a left ventricle of a subject, and a frame configured to be disposed around the impeller. The frame is shaped such that, in a non-radially constrained configuration of the frame, the frame defines a cylindrical central portion, and a distal conical portion that is disposed distally with respect to the cylindrical central portion and that widens from a distal end of the frame to a distal end of the cylindrical central portion. The frame defines struts that define openings therebetween, and all openings that are defined at least partially within the distal conical portion of the frame extend into the cylindrical central portion of the frame. Other applications are also described.

Mechanical circulatory supports configured to operate in series with the native heart are disclosed. In an embodiment, a centrifugal pump is used. In an embodiment, inlet and outlet ports are connected into the aorta and blood flow is diverted through a lumen and a centrifugal pump between the inlet and outlet ports. The supports may create a pressure rise between about 40-80 mmHg, and maintain a flow rate of about 5 L/min. The support may be configured to be inserted in a collinear manner with the descending aorta. The support may be optimized to replicate naturally occurring vortex formation within the aorta. Diffusers of different dimensions and configurations, such as helical configuration, and/or the orientation of installation may be used to optimize vortex formation. The support may use an impeller which is electromagnetically suspended, stabilized, and rotated to pump blood.

Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods that employ a pump to assist or support blood flow. An apparatus for pumping blood may include a pump housing having an outer wall disposed about a longitudinal pump axis, and having an upstream end and a downstream end; a blood flow straightener having a plurality of fins and positioned in the upstream end of the pump housing and secured to the pump housing by the plurality of fins; a diffuser having a plurality of diffuser fins and positioned in the downstream end of the pump housing and secured to the pump housing by the plurality of diffuser fins; and an impeller positioned between the blood flow straightener and the diffuser, and including a plurality of impeller blades. The apparatus may further include a pump drive configured to impart a rotational motion to the impeller by applying a magnetic field.