Abstract: A catheter pump system includes a shaft assembly, an impeller coupled to a distal portion of the shaft assembly, and a motor assembly coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft assembly. The motor assembly is configured to drive the impeller via the shaft assembly. The catheter pump system also includes at least one valve operable to release one of i) a clearing fluid or ii) nanosphere particles into the catheter pump system, such as for example, in response to a fluid pressure within the catheter pump system exceeding a threshold fluid pressure, and/or in response to another internal condition of the catheter pump system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imprinting a pattern on a medical device to provide a surface with greater surface area and improved adhesion properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are stent holding devices having a support mandrel and one or more stent retaining fixtures disposed on the mandrel. The retaining fixture may include a character identifier to facilitate tracking a stent mounted on the holding device. The retaining fixture may include a conical protrusion and a conical recess to allow any number of retaining fixtures to engage each other and be stacked on the mandrel. The retaining fixture may include a tubular member having a spiral cut that enables the diameter of the tubular member to be adjusted to allow for a frictional fit on the mandrel. The retaining fixture may have a Z-shaped or T-shaped structure configured to retain a stent. The stent retaining fixture may also have a filament for retaining a stent.