Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device that includes a pump-outlet tube the defines a lateral wall shaped to define one or more blood-outlet openings. An impeller pumps blood of a subject proximally through the pump-outlet tube, such that the blood exits the pump-outlet tube via the blood-outlet openings. A delivery tube extends, from outside the subject’s body, through the pump-outlet tube to a distal portion of the device. An inflatable element surrounds the delivery tube proximally to the blood-outlet openings and includes a distal inflatable-element portion, which is coupled to an inside of the lateral wall, and a proximal inflatable-element portion, which is wider than the pump-outlet tube and is disposed proximally to the pump-outlet tube. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with one or more fluid bags configured to exchange fluid with a subject in a bed, including a cart and a cart adjunct, which is removably couplable to the cart. The cart adjunct includes one or more bag-holding appendages, configured to hold the fluid bags, and a coupling element. The cart adjunct is couplable, via the coupling element, to a bedrail of the bed. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including multiple tubes, a console, and a cartridge. The cartridge holds the tubes and is configured for insertion into the console such that the cartridge and the console interact with one another. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a cartridge, which includes a first port, a second port, and a third port, and which holds tubes such that respective proximal portions of a purging-fluid tube, a waste tube, and a flushing tube pass through the first port, respective distal portions of the purging-fluid tube, the waste tube, and a pressure-sensing tube pass through the second port, and a distal portion of the flushing tube and a proximal portion of the pressure-sensing tube pass through the third port. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a device that includes a delivery catheter, a proximal element, which is disposed proximally to the delivery catheter and is wider than the delivery catheter, an elongate element passing through the proximal element and the delivery catheter, and a self-expandable element coupled to the elongate element. Packaging includes a tray, shaped to define a chamber in which the self-expandable element is packageable, and configured to stabilize the proximal element while the self-expandable element is retracted into the delivery catheter via retraction of the elongate element. A securement piece is coupled to the tray adjacently to the chamber, and is configured to secure a distal end of the delivery catheter while the self-expandable element is retracted into the delivery catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including, by passing a purging fluid through an intracorporeal device, which includes a first component, a second component, an inflatable element, and a self-expandable element, inflating the inflatable element with the purging fluid, and purging an interface between the first component and the second component. By suctioning the purging fluid from the intracorporeal device, the inflatable element is deflated. Subsequently to deflating the inflatable element, the self-expandable element is crimped. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an impeller (50) that includes a proximal bushing (64) and a distal bushing (58). Two or more helical elongate elements (52) extend from the proximal bushing (64) to the distal bushing (58), and an axial structure (54) is disposed inside of the two or more helical elongate elements (52), and along an axis around which the helical elongate elements (52) wind. The impeller (50) includes an impeller-overexpansion-prevention element (72). The impeller-overexpansion-prevention element is a single integrated structure that includes a ring (73) disposed around the axial structure (54), and a plurality of elongate elements (67) each of the elongate elements (67) extending from the ring to a respective helical elongate element (52) and being coupled to the respective helical elongate element (52) so as to prevent radial expansion of the impeller (50). Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for manufacturing a housing for an impeller of a blood pump. A frame is treated in order to enhance bonding between an inner surface of the frame and an inner lining. Subsequently, the inner lining is coupled to the inner surface of the frame along at least a portion of a central cylindrical portion of the frame. Subsequent to coupling the inner lining to the inner surface of the frame along at least a portion of the central cylindrical portion of the frame, a portion of an elongate tube is placed around at least a portion of the frame. While heating the inner lining, the frame, and the portion of the elongate tube, pressure is applied such as to cause the portion of the elongate tube to become coupled to the frame. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for manufacturing a housing for an impeller of a blood pump. A mandrel is placed inside an inner lining, with a central cylindrical portion of a frame disposed around the inner lining, the mandrel being shorter than a length of the inner lining. A portion of an elongate tube is placed around at least a portion of the frame. The inner lining, the frame and the portion of the elongate tube are heated, via the mandrel, and, while heating the inner lining, the frame, and the portion of the elongate tube, pressure is applied from outside the portion of the elongate tube, such as to cause the portion of the elongate tube to become coupled to the frame. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an axial shaft configured for insertion into, and rotation within, a subject's body. The blood pump also includes an impeller, which includes a proximal bushing disposed over the axial shaft, a distal bushing disposed over the axial shaft distally from the proximal bushing, and one or more blades. Each of the blades includes a single inner helical elongate element, a single outer helical elongate element, and a film of material extending between the inner helical elongate element and the outer helical elongate element. The blades are proximally coupled to the proximal bushing and distally coupled to the distal bushing such that, as the axial shaft rotates, the blades rotate, thereby pumping blood of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including delivering a left-ventricular assist device to a subject's aorta. The device including a distal-tip element that defines a straight proximal portion, and a curved distal portion, the curved distal portion defining first and second curves with an elongated straight portion between the first and second curves. The distal-tip element is centered with respect to the aortic valve using the curved distal portion of the distal-tip element, to thereby guide the device through the subject's aortic valve atraumatically. A pump pumps blood through from the subject's left ventricle to the subject's aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including delivering a left-ventricular assist device to a subject's left ventricle. A tube is positioned such that a proximal portion of the tube traverses an aortic valve of the subject, and a distal portion of the tube is disposed within a left ventricle of the subject. A pump pumps blood through the tube from the subject's left ventricle to the subject's aorta such as to cause the proximal portion of the tube to be maintained in an open state, and to cause at least a portion of the tube to become curved. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes an impeller configured to be placed inside a left ventricle of a subject. A driving magnet is coupled to a motor and is rotated by the motor. A driven magnet is magnetically coupled to the driving magnet and is rotated by the driving magnet. A drive cable extends from the driven magnet and imparts rotational motion from the driven magnet to the impeller. A set of sensors is configured to detect a magnetic phase difference between the driven magnet and the driving magnet. A computer processor receives the detected magnetic phase difference and determines a physiological parameter of the subject, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes a frame having struts that define a plurality of cells. In its non-radially-constrained configuration, the frame includes a generally cylindrical portion. A tube defines blood outlet openings, and a portion of the tube is disposed outside the frame and is coupled to the generally cylindrical portion of the frame, such that the portion of the tube conforms with a structure of struts of the frame. An inner lining is coupled to an inside of the generally cylindrical portion of the frame, such as to provide the generally cylindrical portion of the frame with a smooth inner surface. An impeller is disposed at least partially inside the generally cylindrical portion of the frame and is configured to pump blood through the tube and out of the one of more blood outlet openings. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device configured to assist left-ventricular functioning of a subject. The left-ventricular assist device includes a frame, a rigid axial shaft extending from a proximal end of the frame to a distal end of the frame, and an impeller disposed on the rigid axial shaft. A motor is disposed outside the subject's body, and a flexible drive cable extends from outside the subject's body to the axial shaft. The drive cable imparts rotational motion from the motor to the rigid axial shaft, to thereby rotate the impeller. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device that includes a self-expandable impeller and a pump-outlet tube. The impeller is configured to be deployed in a left ventricle of a subject and to pump blood from the subject's left ventricle to an aorta of the subject via the pump-outlet tube, for a period of more than two days. The impeller is configured to provide blood flow of more than 4.5 L/min, when pumping against a pressure gradient of 50 mmHg. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device. A pump pumps blood from the subject's left ventricle to the subject's aorta, via a tube. A distal-tip element is disposed distally to the pump and defines a straight proximal portion that defines a longitudinal axis, and a curved distal portion that is shaped such as to curve in a first direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the straight proximal portion before passing through an inflection point and curving in a second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the straight proximal portion, such that the curved distal portion defines a bulge on one side of the longitudinal axis of the straight proximal portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump configured to be placed inside a subject's body. The blood pump includes an impeller, a frame disposed around the impeller, a distal-tip portion disposed distally with respect to the frame, and a valve disposed within the distal-tip portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a delivery catheter and a delivery tube configured to extend from outside a subject's body into the subject's left ventricle via the delivery catheter. A locking unit is configured to couple to a proximal end of the delivery catheter and the delivery tube is configured to pass through the locking unit. The locking unit includes at least one internal seal configured to surround the delivery tube and to inhibit backflow of blood of the subject, from the delivery catheter, through the locking unit. The locking unit also includes a clip, which has only two states, which consist of a closed state, in which the clip grips the delivery tube so as to inhibit movement of the delivery tube relative to the delivery catheter, and an open state, in which the clip does not grip the delivery tube. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an impeller configured to pump blood through a subject's body, and a frame disposed around the impeller. In a radially-non-constrained configuration of the frame, the frame defines a proximal conical portion and a cylindrical portion disposed distally to the proximal conical portion. The blood pump is configured such that such that, during at least some of the operation of the blood pump, at least a portion of the impeller is disposed within the proximal conical portion of the frame. Other applications are also described.