Systems and methods for providing hemodynamic support to a patient with an intravascular blood pump are disclosed. In some implementations, the blood pump includes a motor and an improved motor cable for delivering electrical power to the motor. The motor includes a stator with one or more coils. The motor cable includes one or more electrical conduits. The motor cable also includes a tail portion and a head portion. In some implementations, the head portion may have an O-shape or a C-shape. The motor cable may reduce the complexity of assembling the blood pump. For example, the motor cable may reduce the risk of shorting the one or more coils and/or the one or more electrical conduits.

The invention relates to a fluid pump comprising at least one impeller blade (1, 1′, 1″) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (3) and conveys a fluid in operation and comprising a support device (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 12′, 13, 13′, 14, 14′, 15, 17) which supports the at least one impeller blade (1, 1′, 1″) in at least one support region, wherein the support device is changeable between a first state in which the rotor is radially compressed and a second state in which the rotor is radially expanded; and wherein at least one impeller blade extends at least partly radially inwardly with respect to the axis of rotation (3) from the support region/support regions in the radially expanded state of the rotor.

Apparatus and methods are described including a catheter, and first and second impellers configured to be inserted into a subject's body via the catheter, the first and second impellers being disposed in series with each other. A first impeller cage is disposed around the first impeller, and a second impeller cage is disposed around the second impeller. A sleeve extends longitudinally along more than 50 percent of a distance between the first and second impellers. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a catheter, and first and second impellers configured to be inserted into a subject's body via the catheter, the first and second impellers being disposed in series with each other. A first impeller cage is disposed around the first impeller, and a second impeller cage is disposed around the second impeller. A sleeve extends longitudinally along more than 50 percent of a distance between the first and second impellers. Other applications are also described.

A circulatory support device includes a flexible cannula having a fluid outlet at a proximal end; and a pump assembly disposed at a distal end of the flexible cannula. The pump assembly includes a pump housing having a fluid inlet defined therein; a motor disposed within a distal end of the housing; and an impeller, driven to rotate by the motor, and configured to push blood toward the fluid outlet.

An axial flux motor includes a housing; a drive shaft disposed within the housing; at least one rotor; and at least one stator. The at least one rotor includes a diametrically-magnetized single pole pair magnetic ring having a rotor aperture defined through the center of the magnetic ring, where the drive shaft extends through the rotor aperture and where the at least one rotor is fixed to the drive shaft. The at least one stator includes a number of conductive windings and a stator aperture, where the drive shaft extends through the stator aperture and where the drive shaft is rotatable within the aperture. The at least one stator is configured to generate an axial magnetic field that causes the at least one rotor to rotate, thereby rotating the drive shaft.

A coupling for a circulatory assist device includes a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler including a first inner portion configured to be secured to a first shaft, a first body extending from the inner portion, and first magnets joined to the body. The second coupler offset from and separate from the first coupler with a gap therebetween. The second coupler including a second inner portion configured to be secured to a second shaft, a second body extending from the second inner portion, and second magnets joined to the body. The second magnets magnetically coupled to the first magnets and configured to transfer a torque applied to one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an other of the first shaft and the second shaft.

A coupling for a circulatory assist device includes a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler including a first inner portion configured to be secured to a first shaft, a first body extending from the inner portion, and first magnets joined to the body. The second coupler offset from and separate from the first coupler with a gap therebetween. The second coupler including a second inner portion configured to be secured to a second shaft, a second body extending from the second inner portion, and second magnets joined to the body. The second magnets magnetically coupled to the first magnets and configured to transfer a torque applied to one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an other of the first shaft and the second shaft.

A catheter system includes a catheter including an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof, and an introducer sheath assembly disposed over a proximal section of the catheter. The introducer sheath assembly includes an introducer sheath disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween, and a tubular plug. The introducer sheath includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen therein. The tubular plug extends through the lumen and includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end that protrudes from the introducer sheath distal end. The plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. The plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

A catheter system includes a catheter including an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof, and an introducer sheath assembly disposed over a proximal section of the catheter. The introducer sheath assembly includes an introducer sheath disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween, and a tubular plug. The introducer sheath includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen therein. The tubular plug extends through the lumen and includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end that protrudes from the introducer sheath distal end. The plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. The plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.