Abstract: Methods for determining a viscosity of a fluid passing through a fluid pump are disclosed. An amount of energy associated with axially moving a rotor may be determined and correlated to a viscosity of fluid interacting therewith. For example, energy associated with a response of a suspended rotor may be determined. The amount of energy may be correlated with a viscosity of the fluid interacting with the rotor. The rotor may be initially unsuspended and an amount of energy associated with suspending the rotor may be determined and correlated with a viscosity of fluid interacting with the rotor. In another method, subsequent to suspending a rotor, the rotor may be unsuspended and an energy response of the rotor may be quantified to determine a viscosity of fluid passing through the pump. Systems for determining a viscosity of a fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pump for pumping sensitive fluids, such as blood, has no mechanical contact between the impeller and any other structure.

Abstract: A low profile pump inlet for an implantable blood pump is disclosed. The low profile pump inlet has an inflow diffuser for attachment to a conduit bearing an inflow of a fluid such as blood and an outflow orifice in fluid connection with the diffuser. The outflow orifice is configured to direct the fluid from the diffuser into a pump such as an implantable blood pump. The low profile pump inlet helps to suppress the effects of upstream pipe bends on the blood traveling through the inlet. The inlet thus provides a flow having a substantially uniform velocity profile into the blood pump.