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.

Abstract: A fixture used for supporting and protecting a rotor during the magnetization process comprising features enabling it to properly support and protect a delicate rotor is described herein. Generally, the fixture is prevented from rolling on a horizontal surface, may seal the delicate rotor assembly therein, maintains the rotor assembly by its opposed longitudinal ends and/or allows the magnetization process results to be tested while the rotor remains sealed inside.

Abstract: The blood pump comprises a stationary housing structure and a rotative impeller mounted within the stationary housing structure and defining with the stationary housing structure passages through which blood pumped by the rotative impeller flows through the pump. An inflow bearing comprises an inflow frusto-conical face of the rotative impeller and an inflow frusto-conical bushing of the stationary housing structure having an inner face. Similarly, an outflow bearing comprises an outflow frusto-conical face of the rotative impeller and an outflow frusto-conical bushing of the stationary housing structure having an inner face. The inner face of both the inflow and outflow frusto-conical bushings (a) comprises at least the axial grooves evenly spread out around a longitudinal axis of the blood pump, and (b) successively defines a taper and a land in the direction of rotation of the rotative impeller between each pair of successive grooves.

Abstract: The blood pump comprises a stationary housing structure and a rotative impeller. The stationary housing structure has a proximal end provided with an inlet, a distal end provided with an outlet, and an impeller housing. The rotative impeller is mounted within the stationary housing structure to circulate blood in a blood flow direction generally extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The rotative impeller also includes an impeller blade structure mounted in the impeller housing, and having a first annular face tapered in a direction opposite the blood flow direction and a second annular face downstream from the first annular face and tapered in the direction of the blood flow.

Abstract: The blood pump comprises a stationary housing structure, a rotative impeller, a first inlet and a second inlet. The stationary housing structure has a proximal end and a distal end, and is substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis. The rotative impeller is mounted within the stationary housing structure to circulate blood in a blood flow direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The first inlet is provided near the proximal end, and leads to a first passage. The second inlet leads to a second passage defining an acute angle with the longitudinal axis. The first and second passages join into a common passage between the second inlet and the rotative impeller.