Abstract: An implantable electric pump for assisting blood flow in a patient in need thereof comprises a non-rotating pump housing and an electric motor enclosed within the housing, all motor components being disposed within the housing in a manner that does not substantially block blood flow through the central axial flow path. The motor comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator is fixedly mounted within the housing and contains a first set of electromagnetically interactive torque-generating components. The rotor is coaxially and rotatably disposed within the stator and has a rotor vane extending outwardly from a central longitudinal axis of the rotor towards the stator, and a second set of electromagnetically interacting torque-generating components disposed on the vane for rotation therewithin. The second set interacts with the first set to cause rotation of the rotor relative to the stator when a rotating electrical current is passed through the first set.