The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

A blood pump comprises a pump casing having a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet connected by a passage, and an impeller arranged in said pump casing so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The impeller is provided with blades sized and shaped for conveying blood along the passage from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet, and is rotatably supported in the pump casing by a first bearing at a first axial end of the impeller and a second bearing axially spaced apart from the first bearing. The first bearing comprises a projection extending along the axis of rotation and connected to one of the impeller and the pump casing and a cavity in the other one of the impeller and the pump casing, the projection comprising an enlarged portion that engages the cavity such that the first bearing and the second bearing are arranged to bear axial forces in the same axial direction.

A device and method for diverting a portion of oxygenated blood from a lower pressure region, e.g., left atrium or pulmonary vein, and providing it to the aorta, bypassing the left ventricle, operating at least in part, on the Venturi effect. The device includes a first conduit that diverts a portion of blood from the aorta to a parallel flow path. The device includes a second conduit that delivers blood from the lower pressure region to the first conduit. The blood from the lower pressure region in the second conduit is combined with the blood from the aorta in the first conduit and returned to the aorta. The second conduit is coupled to the first conduit at or near a narrow segment of the first conduit. A Venturi effect at or near the narrow segment draws the blood from the lower pressure region into the first and/or second conduit.

The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

A catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include an elongate catheter body and an impeller assembly coupled to a distal portion of the elongate catheter body. The impeller assembly can comprise an impeller configured to rotate during operation of the catheter pump. A tube can extend through at least portions of the elongate catheter body and the impeller assembly. The tube can extend distal the impeller and can be configured to remain in the portions of the elongate catheter body and the impeller assembly during operation of the catheter pump.

Systems, devices and methods for treating lymphatic congestion are disclosed. In one method, a balloon is placed at or near the veno-lymph junction. The balloon is inflated and deflation through cycles of slow inflation and rapid deflation. In another embodiment, an arteriovenous fistula is created near the veno-lymph junction. Alternate embodiments may also include axial pumps, stents, or balloons in combination with the fistula. These devices and methods create an acceleration of the blood flow past the lymphatic duct which reduces local pressure via the Venturi effect and according to the Bernoulli principle which facilitates lymph entering into the bloodstream.

A tubular graft comprising an internal helical formation which imparts helical flow on fluid passing through the tubular graft. One end of the tubular graft is tapered from an inner base to an outer tip.

The subject matter of the present invention is a pump arrangement (1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50), in particular for use in the body's own vessels, having a pump (11, 41, 51) and a sheath (12, 42, 52) receiving the pump, bounding a flow passage (S) and having a distal intake opening (13, 43, 53) and a proximal outflow opening (14, 29, 39, 44, 54) for producing a driving flow by means of the pump, wherein the pump is arranged in a first fluid-tight section (12a, 42a, 52a) having the distal intake opening and a second fluid-tight section (12b, 42b, 52b) includes the proximal outflow opening. In accordance with the invention, a further inlet opening (15) is present between the first section and the second section and is arranged between the intake opening and the outflow opening, with the first section and the second section being arranged with respect to one another such that the inlet opening opens into the flow proximal to the pump.

The devices and methods described herein include a body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator and a downstream flow decelerator. The fluid flow modulator preferably includes one or more openings that define a gap/entrainment region that provides a pathway through which additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) is entrained into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

A prosthetic heart valve either of the mechanical type or the bio prosthetic type, comprises a tubular or cylindrical frame element, a plurality of injectors, a suturing member surrounding the tubular or cylindrical frame element, tether lines to secure the device during diastolic filling but more predominantly during systolic contraction that creates a vortex effect with externally supplied pressurized fluid injected angularly within a transport structure is provided. Such a unit is utilized to accelerate the hemodynamics, reduce the energy required for said transport or both. The annular frame is designed to allow a passageway for blood flow and regulating flow during systolic contraction. Such a result is achieved through the introduction of pressurized fluid (blood) via a plurality of injectors situated evenly around the circumference of the subject tubular or cylindrical unit, and angled uniformly for an even pressure injection of fluid within the conveyance component thereof.