A driving mechanism and a blood pump are disclosed. The driving mechanism comprises a housing assembly, a rotating assembly, and a sphere. The rotating assembly has a distal end and a proximal end; the distal end of the rotating assembly is rotatably mounted to the housing assembly. A first groove is formed on the proximal end of the rotating assembly, and the first groove has an internally concave first spherical wall. A second groove is formed on the housing assembly, and the second groove is arranged opposite the first groove; the second groove has an internally concave second spherical wall. A portion of the sphere is arranged within the first groove and a portion within the second groove, which are capable of sliding engagement with the first spherical wall and the second spherical wall, respectively.

A driving mechanism and a blood pump are disclosed. The driving mechanism comprises a housing assembly, a rotating assembly, and a sphere. The rotating assembly has a distal end and a proximal end; the distal end of the rotating assembly is rotatably mounted to the housing assembly. A first groove is formed on the proximal end of the rotating assembly, and the first groove has an internally concave first spherical wall. A second groove is formed on the housing assembly, and the second groove is arranged opposite the first groove; the second groove has an internally concave second spherical wall. A portion of the sphere is arranged within the first groove and a portion within the second groove, which are capable of sliding engagement with the first spherical wall and the second spherical wall, respectively.

A cardiac assist system having a pumping device for moving blood, wherein a pumping capacity of the pumping device is adjustable using an adjustment signal based on laser doppler with an optical fiber. A measuring device measures a flow rate of the body fluid, the measuring device comprising at least one light source for outputting a light beam and at least one sensor element for detecting a reflected partial beam of the light beam. The measuring device is adapted to measure the body fluid using the reflected partial beam of the light beam. A determination device is adapted to determine the adjustment signal using the measurement signal. The device may include a bore opening to a blood flow channel, with an optical fiber extending through the bore.

A cardiac assist system having a pumping device for moving blood, wherein a pumping capacity of the pumping device is adjustable using an adjustment signal based on laser doppler with an optical fiber. A measuring device measures a flow rate of the body fluid, the measuring device comprising at least one light source for outputting a light beam and at least one sensor element for detecting a reflected partial beam of the light beam. The measuring device is adapted to measure the body fluid using the reflected partial beam of the light beam. A determination device is adapted to determine the adjustment signal using the measurement signal. The device may include a bore opening to a blood flow channel, with an optical fiber extending through the bore.

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.

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.

A percutaneous circulatory support system may include a blood pump. The blood pump may include an impeller assembly with an impeller housing having a first central axis. The blood pump may include a motor housing having a second central axis. A magnetic assembly may magnetically couple the impeller assembly with the motor assembly. A flexible connector may couple the impeller housing with the motor housing. The magnetic assembly may bias the impeller housing and the motor housing to a first configuration with the first central axis aligned with the second central axis.

A percutaneous circulatory support system may include a blood pump. The blood pump may include an impeller assembly with an impeller housing having a first central axis. The blood pump may include a motor housing having a second central axis. A magnetic assembly may magnetically couple the impeller assembly with the motor assembly. A flexible connector may couple the impeller housing with the motor housing. The magnetic assembly may bias the impeller housing and the motor housing to a first configuration with the first central axis aligned with the second central axis.

The disclosed technology includes a flexible sleeve having a split that can be removably disposed over an inlet of an intravascular pump while the pump is inserted into a cardiovascular system. The split sleeve can be configured to prevent blood from flowing out the inlet, thereby reducing or preventing blood loss. As the intravascular pump is inserted into an introducer sheath and into a patient, the physician can apply pressure to the split sleeve and the inlet of the intravascular pump, thereby creating a seal and preventing blood loss.

The disclosed technology includes a flexible sleeve having a split that can be removably disposed over an inlet of an intravascular pump while the pump is inserted into a cardiovascular system. The split sleeve can be configured to prevent blood from flowing out the inlet, thereby reducing or preventing blood loss. As the intravascular pump is inserted into an introducer sheath and into a patient, the physician can apply pressure to the split sleeve and the inlet of the intravascular pump, thereby creating a seal and preventing blood loss.