Apparatus comprising and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an axial shaft, and an impeller disposed on the axial shaft. The impeller is configured to pump blood of the subject by rotating. The impeller and the axial shaft are configured to undergo axial back-and-forth motion during operation of the impeller. A distal tip element is disposed at a distal end of the blood pump. The distal tip element defines an axial-shaft-receiving tube, configured to receive at least a portion of the axial shaft during forward motion of the axial shaft. The distal tip element additionally defines an atraumatic distal tip portion disposed distally of the axial-shaft-receiving tube. Other applications are also described.

The present application describes various features for a catheter pump that prevents or inhibits unwanted fluids from entering a cavity or opening of a catheter pump. If unwanted fluids enter a cavity or opening of the catheter pump, the examples described herein cause the unwanted fluid to be expelled from the catheter pump.

A catheter pump system includes a catheter assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongate body extending therebetween, the elongate body defining at least an inner lumen; a motor assembly comprising a shaft assembly extending at least partially within the elongate body of the catheter assembly, the shaft assembly configured to rotate about an axis; a flow diverter housing defining a chamber and a fluid pathway through which a proximally-conveyed fluid flows, wherein the shaft assembly extends outward from the chamber into the inner lumen of the elongate body; and a seal mounted to and extending around the shaft assembly, the seal configured to inhibit fluid within the elongate body of the catheter assembly from entering the chamber at least about an outer periphery of the shaft assembly.

A catheter includes a catheter body, a pump assembly and a cannula. The pump assembly can be disposed at a distal end of the catheter body and has a distal portion. The cannula can be coupled to the distal end portion of the pump assembly and can include a proximal cannula portion and a distal cannula portion. The distal cannula portion has an approximately helical shape which can allow the cannula to be inserted into a patient's right heart and pump blood therethrough. In certain implementations, the distal tip of the helical shape has a slight bias relative to the main helix to further facilitate delivery of the device. In certain applications this bias is toward the central axis of the helix.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing an impeller by forming a structure having first and second bushings at proximal and distal ends that are connected to one another by at least one elongate element. The elongate element is made to radially expand and form a helical elongate element. An elastomeric material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the elastomeric material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. The coupling is performed such that a layer of the material disposed around a radially outer edge of the helical elongate element forms the effective edge of the impeller blade. A step is performed to enhance bonding of the elastomeric material to the helical elongate element in a manner that does not cause a protrusion from the effective edge of the impeller blade. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing an impeller by forming a structure having first and second bushings at proximal and distal ends that are connected to one another by at least one elongate element. The elongate element is made to radially expand and form a helical elongate element. An elastomeric material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the elastomeric material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. The coupling is performed such that a layer of the material disposed around a radially outer edge of the helical elongate element forms the effective edge of the impeller blade. A step is performed to enhance bonding of the elastomeric material to the helical elongate element in a manner that does not cause a protrusion from the effective edge of the impeller blade. Other applications are also described.

The invention relates to a flexible catheter (1) with a drive shaft (2), with a sleeve (6) surrounding the drive shaft (2) and with a sheath (7) surrounding the drive shaft (2) and the sleeve (6), wherein the drive shaft, the sleeve (6) and the sheath (7) are pliable, wherein the drive shaft (2) at a proximal end of the drive shaft (2) comprises a coupling element (5) for connecting the drive shaft (2) to a drive motor (18), wherein the drive shaft (2) at least regionally consist of a alloy which contains at least 10% by weight of chromium, nickel and cobalt in each case. The invention moreover relates to a blood pump arrangement with such a catheter.

A system for cleaning an implanted blood pump, comprising: an inflow catheter having an expandable inflow member positioned about the periphery thereof; an inflow tube coupled with the inflow catheter; a valve assembly coupled to the inflow tube; an outflow tube coupled to the valve assembly; and an outflow catheter having an expandable outflow member positioned about the periphery thereof, the outflow catheter being coupled to the outflow tube. In use, the inflow tube and outflow tube extend through the skin of a human body, the inflow catheter and outflow catheter are positioned within the human body, and the valve assembly is positioned outside the human body.

Apparatus and methods are described including coupling a rigid tube to a drive cable that comprises a plurality of coiled wires, by placing ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube at a given location within a butt-welding overtube. The ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube are visible when they are disposed at the given location within the butt-welding overtube, via a window defined by the butt-welding overtube. The placement of the drive cable within the butt-welding overtube is such that a helical groove within a portion of the butt-welding overtube is disposed over the drive cable. Welding rings are formed around the butt-welding overtube. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including coupling a rigid tube to a drive cable that comprises a plurality of coiled wires, by placing ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube at a given location within a butt-welding overtube. The ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube are visible when they are disposed at the given location within the butt-welding overtube, via a window defined by the butt-welding overtube. The placement of the drive cable within the butt-welding overtube is such that a helical groove within a portion of the butt-welding overtube is disposed over the drive cable. Welding rings are formed around the butt-welding overtube. Other applications are also described.