Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an axial shaft configured for insertion into, and rotation within, a subject's body. The blood pump also includes an impeller, which includes a proximal bushing disposed over the axial shaft, a distal bushing disposed over the axial shaft distally from the proximal bushing, and one or more blades. Each of the blades includes a single inner helical elongate element, a single outer helical elongate element, and a film of material extending between the inner helical elongate element and the outer helical elongate element. The blades are proximally coupled to the proximal bushing and distally coupled to the distal bushing such that, as the axial shaft rotates, the blades rotate, thereby pumping blood of the subject. Other applications are also described.

An intravascular blood pump has an intake filter that reduces risk of heart tissue being sucked into an intake port of the pump. The filter defines a plurality of apertures, through which blood flows through the filter. The apertures are sized to prevent ingestion, by the input port, of the heart tissue. The filter includes a plurality of generally helical first struts wound about a longitudinal axis of the filter, and a plurality of second struts. The first and second struts collectively define the plurality of apertures therebetween. The struts may be woven filaments, or the apertures may be defined in a thin film (foil) tube, where remaining material between the apertures form the struts.

An intravascular blood pump has an intake filter that reduces risk of heart tissue being sucked into an intake port of the pump. The filter defines a plurality of apertures, through which blood flows through the filter. The apertures are sized to prevent ingestion, by the input port, of the heart tissue. The filter includes a plurality of generally helical first struts wound about a longitudinal axis of the filter, and a plurality of second struts. The first and second struts collectively define the plurality of apertures therebetween. The struts may be woven filaments, or the apertures may be defined in a thin film (foil) tube, where remaining material between the apertures form the struts.

Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an impeller, and a frame disposed around the impeller. An axial shaft extends from a proximal end of the frame to a distal end of the frame. The impeller is coupled to the axial shaft. A radial bearing is configured to radially stabilize the axial shaft and aa bearing housing houses the radial bearing. A layer of elastomeric material is disposed between the radial bearing and the bearing housing. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an axial shaft configured for insertion into, and rotation within, a subject's body. The blood pump also includes an impeller coupled to the axial shaft such that, as the axial shaft rotates, the impeller pumps blood of the subject. Proximal and distal radial bearings surround the axial shaft and are configured to radially stabilize the axial shaft while the axial shaft rotates. Proximal and distal sleeves, which are less flexible than the axial shaft, are disposed around the axial shaft, such that the proximal and distal sleeves contact the proximal and distal radial bearings, respectively, as the axial shaft rotates. A ratio between a length of the axial shaft and a combined length of the proximal sleeve and distal sleeve is between 2:1 and 6:1. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a solid axial shaft having a shaft diameter that is less than 0.8 mm, an impeller configured for insertion into a left ventricle of a heart of a subject and coupled to the axial shaft, and a hollow drive cable coupled, at a distal end of the drive cable, to the axial shaft, and configured to rotate so as to rotate the axial shaft, thereby causing the impeller to pump blood of the subject from the left ventricle. Other applications are also described.

A method of providing ventricular support for a human patient during a high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention procedure includes inserting a mechanical circulatory support device into the vasculature of a human patient. The mechanical circulatory support device being movable between a compressed state and an expanded state. The mechanical circulatory support device is delivered into a heart of the human patient with the aid of a delivery assist device. Operating. The mechanical circulatory support device is operated for a support period. A clinically significant arrhythmia adverse event (AE) associated with the mechanical circulatory support device experiencing the arrhythmia event between the time of vascular access with the mechanical circulatory support device and removal of the mechanical circulatory support device from the vasculature is approximately 2.3%.

A method of providing ventricular support for a human patient during a high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention procedure includes inserting a mechanical circulatory support device into the vasculature of a human patient. The mechanical circulatory support device being movable between a compressed state and an expanded state. The mechanical circulatory support device is delivered into a heart of the human patient with the aid of a delivery assist device. Operating. The mechanical circulatory support device is operated for a support period. A clinically significant arrhythmia adverse event (AE) associated with the mechanical circulatory support device experiencing the arrhythmia event between the time of vascular access with the mechanical circulatory support device and removal of the mechanical circulatory support device from the vasculature is approximately 2.3%.

An intravascular blood pump has an intake filter that reduces risk of heart tissue being sucked into an intake port of the pump. The filter defines a plurality of apertures, through which blood flows through the filter. The apertures are sized to prevent ingestion, by the input port, of the heart tissue. The filter includes a plurality of generally helical first struts wound about a longitudinal axis of the filter, and a plurality of second struts. The first and second struts collectively define the plurality of apertures therebetween. The struts may be woven filaments, or the apertures may be defined in a thin film (foil) tube, where remaining material between the apertures form the struts.

An intravascular blood pump has an intake filter that reduces risk of heart tissue being sucked into an intake port of the pump. The filter defines a plurality of apertures, through which blood flows through the filter. The apertures are sized to prevent ingestion, by the input port, of the heart tissue. The filter includes a plurality of generally helical first struts wound about a longitudinal axis of the filter, and a plurality of second struts. The first and second struts collectively define the plurality of apertures therebetween. The struts may be woven filaments, or the apertures may be defined in a thin film (foil) tube, where remaining material between the apertures form the struts.