Abstract: A rotor bearing system includes a mandrel and a plurality of canted cantilever bearing pads supporting the mandrel, such that, when the bearing pads are run-in against the mandrel, the bearing pads generate uniform bearing gaps and alignment. The mandrel and the bearing pads are sized to form a running proximity to exclude the entry of red blood cells or flow entrained contaminant inclusions therebetween during operation, thereby causing the bearing system to operate in an elasto-hydrodynamic regime of mixed- or boundary-lubrication.

Abstract: A rotor bearing system includes an inner bearing component and an outer bearing component. One of the bearing components includes at least three protrusions sized to form a close running proximity to the remaining component. A bearing gap between the inner bearing component and the outer bearing component is sized to exclude the entry of red blood cells between the bearing components during operation of the rotor bearing system and causing the bearing to operate in an elasto-hydrodynamic regime of mixed- or boundary-lubrication.

Abstract: A shallow angle rotor bearing-vane system includes a smooth angled non-rotating journal component and a mating angled bearing/vane component, incorporating a plurality of integrated bearing/vanes oriented in a generally radial direction, which provide axial and radial load carrying support between the rotating components, and pumping action to the blood. The load carrying bearing surface situated in very close running proximity to the mating bearing component to prevent entry of red blood cells between the mating bearing surfaces, thereby creating a bearing operating in an elasto-hydrodynamic regime of mixed-lubrication or boundary-lubrication.