Abstract: A foldable, intravascularly insertable blood pump (10) comprises a foldable, radially delivering impeller (20) accommodated in a foldable housing or envelope (24). Axially before and behind the impeller a clearance (60) is provided between the impeller (20) and the front and back walls (32, 62) of the housing (24), the clearance being at least 0.2 mm. Preferably, the space defined between adjacent blades (54) of the impeller (20) is open towards the front wall (32) of the housing (24).

Abstract: An extravascular pulsation blood pump possesses a bidirectionally acting pumping system (P, M) having a pump (P) which is connected via a first conduit (L1) to the left ventricle (LV) and via a second conduit (L2) to the aorta (AO). By means of a control means (St), the pump (P) is operated alternately in one and the other direction according to a given cardiac rhythm, so that alternately blood is sucked through the first conduit (L1) and simultaneously blood ejected through the second conduit (L2) to the same extent, on the one hand, and blood is sucked through the second conduit (L2) and simultaneously blood ejected through the first conduit (L1), on the other hand. The pulsation blood pump combines the functions and advantages of an extravascular copulsation pump with those of an extravascular counterpulsation blood pump.

Abstract: A catheter (20), which can be part of an intravascular blood pump, possesses a kink sensor which extends over the total length of the catheter and comprises an optical fiber (28A). The optical fiber is attached to an evaluation device (100) which evaluates a preset light quantity transmitted through the optical fiber as to whether a part of the light quantity is coupled out of the optical fiber along the length of the optical fiber. This is interpreted as a kink event and displayed. The optical fiber preferably utilized for the kink sensor is the optical fiber of an optical pressure sensor.

Abstract: A foldable intravascularly insertable blood pump employs an impeller with radially delivering vanes in combination with an annular deflection channel. The impeller is driven by a shaft extending through a catheter wherein the impeller and its envelope are foldable by relative displacement of the shaft and catheter.

Abstract: For the treatment of an insufficient cardiac valve or a cardiac valve with a stenosis, a device is provided that comprises a micro axial pump (40). The pump portion (14) of the micro axial pump carries a dilating device (18) suitable for pushing open a stenosis in a valve. The dilating device is designed as a high-pressure balloon. During dilation, the micro axial pump (40) operates so that the heart is relieved. With insufficient cardiac valves, a stent (21) is fastened to the dilating device (17), the stent surrounding a flexible cardiac valve prosthesis (20). By dilation, the stent (21) is pressed against the insufficient cardiac valve and the same is passivated. The cardiac valve of the cardiac valve prosthesis is unfolded to assume the function of the natural cardiac valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simply lockable quick coupling (10) for releasably connecting a hose (12) to an implantable apparatus, comprising a first attachment piece (14) that can be connected to the hose (12) and a second attachment piece (16) that can be connected to the apparatus, wherein the attachment pieces (14, 16) can be rotated relative to each other in the locked state.

Abstract: A blood pump is temporarily operated at a low rotational speed lying below a design rotational speed. This involves a risk of thrombogenesis since flow detachments may occur at blades of an impeller of the rotary blood pump. For eliminating deposits at said impeller, the rotational speed of said pump is temporarily increased to the design rotational speed. Alternatively, said pump alternately operates at said design rotational speed and a low rotational speed, and this pulsed operation is synchronized with the heart rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intracardiac blood pump with a flexible screen between which discharge ports are located. The pump parts are connected to the flexible screen which catches the axially discharged flow and deflects the same in an axial direction. The delivery rate of the pump is increased by preventing impact losses and swirls at the discharge ports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micromotor (10), the stator of which contains a back iron jacket (18). Said back iron jacket consists of a continuous unslotted sleeve consisting of a metal alloy that contains ferritic iron as the main constituent, up to 30% chromium and preferably aluminium and yttrium oxide. Electric conductivity is reduced by the oxidation of the aluminium. The yttrium oxide performs the same function. The reduced electric conductivity suppresses eddy currents to a great extent. The back iron jacket (18) has a high magnetic conductivity with a small wall thickness, thus increasing the electrical output for a motor with a small diameter.

Abstract: For the treatment of an insufficient cardiac valve or a cardiac valve with a stenosis, a device is provided that comprises a micro axial pump (40). The pump portion (14) of the micro axial pump carries a dilating device (18) suitable for pushing open a stenosis in a valve. The dilating device is designed as a high-pressure balloon. During dilation, the micro axial pump (40) operates so that the heart is relieved. With insufficient cardiac valves, a stent (21) is fastened to the dilating device (17), the stent surrounding a flexible cardiac valve prosthesis (20). By dilation, the stent (21) is pressed against the insufficient cardiac valve and the same is passivated. The cardiac valve of the cardiac valve prosthesis is unfolded to assume the function of the natural cardiac valve.