A bearing assembly is configured to retain a distal end of an impeller of a blood pump, where the impeller includes a drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a pivot member coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft; a distal bearing cup having a proximally-facing surface configured to engage at least a portion of a distal section of the pivot member; and a sleeve bearing disposed around at least a portion of a proximal section of the pivot member.

The circulation assist devices disclosed herein can be used, for example, in methods of decreasing venous pressure in the Fontan circulation. The devices can include an inlet, an outlet, a stator, a rotor, and an impeller driven by rotation of the rotor. In some embodiments, the impeller blade (or blades) can at least partially define a central lumen extending through the device. The device can be coupled to the inferior vena cava and the pulmonary artery. Rotating the impeller blade(s) increases blood velocity through the lumen and causes the outlet pressure to be higher than the inlet pressure. The impeller can be configured such that, when it is stationary, the forward static pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet is minimized. That is, the forward static pressure drop of the device approximates the pressure drop between the inferior vena cava and central pulmonary artery of the unassisted Fontan circulation.

The circulation assist devices disclosed herein can be used, for example, in methods of decreasing venous pressure in the Fontan circulation. The devices can include an inlet, an outlet, a stator, a rotor, and an impeller driven by rotation of the rotor. In some embodiments, the impeller blade (or blades) can at least partially define a central lumen extending through the device. The device can be coupled to the inferior vena cava and the pulmonary artery. Rotating the impeller blade(s) increases blood velocity through the lumen and causes the outlet pressure to be higher than the inlet pressure. The impeller can be configured such that, when it is stationary, the forward static pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet is minimized. That is, the forward static pressure drop of the device approximates the pressure drop between the inferior vena cava and central pulmonary artery of the unassisted Fontan circulation.

The present disclosure provides a catheter pump system comprising components configured to prevent blood from entering the catheter pump system. The catheter pump system includes a septum including a moisture absorbing material and/or an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft coated on an inner or an outer surface with a clot activator.

The present disclosure provides a catheter pump system comprising components configured to prevent blood from entering the catheter pump system. The catheter pump system includes a septum including a moisture absorbing material and/or an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft coated on an inner or an outer surface with a clot activator.

A catheter pump system is provided herein. The catheter pump system includes a catheter pump, a fluid system located within the catheter pump, and at least one filter membrane. The catheter pump has a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongate body extending therebetween, and the elongate body defining at least an inner lumen. The fluid system is configured to pressurize the catheter pump with fluid. The at least one filter membrane is configured to reduce an amount of particles within the fluid of the fluid system.

A catheter pump system is provided herein. The catheter pump system includes a catheter pump, a fluid system located within the catheter pump, and at least one filter membrane. The catheter pump has a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongate body extending therebetween, and the elongate body defining at least an inner lumen. The fluid system is configured to pressurize the catheter pump with fluid. The at least one filter membrane is configured to reduce an amount of particles within the fluid of the fluid system.

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.

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.