Abstract: Inlet device and connecting devices for a minimally invasive miniaturized percutaneous mechanical circulatory support system. The inlet device includes an inlet portion and a transfer portion with a support structure. The inlet device can be used for transmitting a body fluid of a patient, for example blood, to an impeller of a pump of the circulatory support system. The connecting device can include a receiving element and an insertion element. The receiving element of the connecting device can include a receiving structure that the insertion element of the connecting device can be pushed into. The insertion element can include at least one slide-on ramp, the slide-on ramp being connectable to the receiving structure in a form-fitting, non-positive, force-locking, and/or self-locking manner. The inlet device can include a receiving element or an insertion element of the connecting device.

Abstract: Peel-away introducer sheath (100) having an adjustable diameter. The present disclosure is directed generally to introducer sheaths used in endoluminal catheterization for medical treatments. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed towards introducer sheaths that are expandable and can be peeled apart.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to mechanical cardiovascular support systems used in the medical field to assist the movement of blood. In particular the present disclosure is directed to an impeller having features that allow improved performance. An annular flow area around a rotating impeller may be variable along the axial length of the impeller. A first radial gap, between a distal region of the impeller and a surrounding tubular housing, may be greater or smaller than a second radial gap, between a proximal region of the impeller and the surrounding tubular housing.

Abstract: A cardiac assist system having a pumping device for moving blood, wherein a pumping capacity of the pumping device is adjustable using an adjustment signal based on laser doppler with an optical fiber. A measuring device measures a flow rate of the body fluid, the measuring device comprising at least one light source for outputting a light beam and at least one sensor element for detecting a reflected partial beam of the light beam. The measuring device is adapted to measure the body fluid using the reflected partial beam of the light beam. A determination device is adapted to determine the adjustment signal using the measurement signal. The device may include a bore opening to a blood flow channel, with an optical fiber extending through the bore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical circulatory support system for transcatheter delivery to the heart, having a removable guidewire aid to assist with inserting the guidewire along a path that avoids a rotating impeller. The system may comprise a catheter shaft and a circulatory support device carried by the shaft. The device may comprise a tubular housing, an impeller and the guidewire aid. The guidewire aid may include a removable guidewire guide tube. The guide tube may enter a first guidewire port of the tubular housing, exit the tubular housing via a second guidewire port on a side wall of the tubular housing on a distal side of the impeller, enter a third guidewire port on a proximal side of the impeller, and extend proximally through the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A minimally invasive miniaturized percutaneous mechanical circulatory support system for transcatheter delivery of a pump to the heart that actively unloads the left ventricle by pumping blood from the left ventricle into the ascending aorta and systemic circulation. The pump may include a tubular housing, a motor, an impeller configured to be rotated by the motor. The impeller may be rotated by the motor, via a shaft with an annular polymeric seal around the shaft, or via a magnetic drive. The system may have an insertion tool having a tubular body and configured to axially movably receive the circulatory support device, and an introducer sheath configured to axially movably receive the insertion tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a minimally invasive miniaturized percutaneous mechanical circulatory support system. The system may be placed across the aortic valve via a single femoral arterial access point. The system includes a low profile axial rotary blood pump carried by the distal end of a catheter. The system can be percutaneously inserted through the femoral artery and positioned across the aortic valve into the left ventricle. The device actively unloads the left ventricle by pumping blood from the left ventricle into the ascending aorta and systemic circulation. A magnetic drive and encased motor housing allows for purgeless operation for extended periods of time to treat various ailments, for example more than six hours as acute therapy for cardiogenic shock.