Abstract: A blood pump comprises a pump casing a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet connected by a passage, and an impeller. The impeller comprises blades configured to convey blood from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet, the impeller being supported in the pump casing by at least one contact-type bearing comprising a surface of the impeller facing a surface of the pump casing. At least one wash out channel extends through the impeller and is in fluid connection with the passage via a first opening and with the bearing via a second opening. The wash out channel is operatively associated with a secondary pump for pumping blood through the wash out channel towards the bearing. The secondary pump is formed at least partially by said at least one wash out channel extending through the impeller along a direction having at least one tangential directional component.

Abstract: A blood pump comprises a pump casing a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet connected by a passage, and an impeller. The impeller comprises blades configured to convey blood from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet, the impeller being supported in the pump casing by at least one contact-type bearing comprising a surface of the impeller facing a surface of the pump casing. At least one wash out channel extends through the impeller and is in fluid connection with the passage via a first opening and with the bearing via a second opening. The wash out channel is operatively associated with a secondary pump for pumping blood through the wash out channel towards the bearing. The secondary pump is formed at least partially by said at least one wash out channel extending through the impeller along a direction having at least one tangential directional component.

Abstract: A blood pump comprises a pump casing a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet connected by a passage, and an impeller. The impeller comprises blades configured to convey blood from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet, the impeller being supported in the pump casing by at least one contact-type bearing comprising a surface of the impeller facing a surface of the pump casing. At least one wash out channel extends through the impeller and is in fluid connection with the passage via a first opening and with the bearing via a second opening. The wash out channel is operatively associated with a secondary pump for pumping blood through the wash out channel towards the bearing. The secondary pump is formed at least partially by said at least one wash out channel extending through the impeller along a direction having at least one tangential directional component.

Abstract: A blood pump comprises a pump casing having a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet connected by a passage, and an impeller arranged in said pump casing so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The impeller is provided with blades sized and shaped for conveying blood along the passage from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet, and is rotatably supported in the pump casing by a first bearing at a first axial end of the impeller and a second bearing axially spaced apart from the first bearing. The first bearing comprises a projection extending along the axis of rotation and connected to one of the impeller and the pump casing and a cavity in the other one of the impeller and the pump casing, the projection comprising an enlarged portion that engages the cavity such that the first bearing and the second bearing are arranged to bear axial forces in the same axial direction.

Abstract: A blood pump comprises a pump casing, a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet connected by a passage, and an impeller. The impeller comprises blades configured to convey blood from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet, the impeller being supported in the pump casing by at least one contact-type bearing comprising a surface of the impeller facing a surface of the pump casing. At least one wash out channel extends through the impeller and is in fluid connection with the passage via a first opening and with the bearing via a second opening. The wash out channel is operatively associated with a secondary pump for pumping blood through the wash out channel towards the bearing. The secondary pump is formed at least partially by said at least one wash out channel extending through the impeller along a direction having at least one tangential directional component.

Abstract: A blood pump (1) comprises a pump casing (2) having a blood flow inlet (5) and a blood flow outlet (6) connected by a passage (7), and an impeller (3) arranged in said pump casing (2) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (9). The impeller (3) is provided with blades (4) sized and shaped for conveying blood along the passage (7) from the blood flow inlet (5) to the blood flow outlet (6), the impeller (3) being rotatably supported in the pump casing (2) by at least one contact-type bearing (20) comprising a bearing surface of the impeller (3) facing a bearing surface of the pump casing (2). At least one wash out channel (30) extends through the impeller (3) and is in fluid connection with the passage (7) via a first opening (34) and with the bearing (20) via a second opening (35).

Abstract: A blood pump (1) comprises a pump casing (2) having a blood flow inlet (5) and a blood flow outlet (6) connected by a passage (7), and an impeller (3) arranged in said pump casing (2) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (9). The impeller (3) is provided with blades (4) sized and shaped for conveying blood along the passage (7) from the blood flow inlet (5) to the blood flow outlet (6), and is rotatably supported in the pump casing (2) by a first bearing (10) at a first axial end of the impeller (3) and a second bearing (20) axially spaced apart from the first bearing (10).

Abstract: A blood pump (1) comprises a pump casing (2) having a blood flow inlet (5) and a blood flow outlet (6) connected by a passage (7), and an impeller (3) arranged in said pump casing (2) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (9). The impeller (2) is provided with blades (4) sized and shaped for conveying blood along the passage (7) from the blood flow inlet (5) to the blood flow outlet (6), the impeller (3) being rotatably supported in the pump casing (2) by at least one bearing (10, 20). A surface of the impeller (3) faces a surface of the pump casing (2) spaced from said surface of the impeller (3) by a clearance (31), the clearance (31) being in fluid connection with the passage (7) at a clearance transition point (36). In order to wash out the clearance, at least one wash out channel (30) extends through the impeller (3) and is in fluid connection with the passage (7) via a first opening (34) and with the clearance (31) via a second opening (35).

Abstract: A minimal intrusive cardiac support apparatus is disclosed which requires only one incision into a main blood vessel or heart chamber. The apparatus includes a pair of generally coaxial and slideably arranged cannulae (one inner and one outer) communicatively coupled to a blood pump for providing right-heart and/or left-heart cardiac support during cardiac surgery. Optional balloons may be mounted on the outside of the inner and outer conduits which can be selectively inflated to seal off the sides surrounding vessel or to deliver cooling fluid or medication to the surrounding tissue. Using the apparatus, a method of pumping blood through the body is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable surgical drape for use in cardiovascular surgical procedures which may optionally be used to isolate a sterile pumping mechanism from a non-sterile pump driving mechanism and/or provide support for medical equipment, such as medical tubing.

Abstract: An improved intravascular blood pump and related methods involving the broad inventive concept of equipping the intravascular blood pump with guiding features such that the intravascular blood pump can be selectively positioned at a predetermined location within the circulatory system of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention involves a blood pump having a pump housing with an internally disposed rotor that collectively provide a dual inflow capability which prevents thrombus formation and reduces hemolysis during use.

Abstract: A surgical pump suitable for bodily fluids, normally blood, usable in the course of surgical interventions as an alternative to the traditional CPB (cardio pulmonary bypass) making use of external blood pumps. It consists of an intake cannula which is inserted with its fist (distal) end in a first vessel, an outflow cannula coaxial for some length with, and larger than the first cannula, which is inserted with its first (distal) end in a second vessel, both second ends of the coaxial cannulas being connected with a pump housing having an inlet for the inner cannula and outflow windows for the outer cannula, a rotor impeller housed in the housing and connected with an electric motor rotating coaxially below the pump housing, the housing having inner and outer passageways which allow inflow, change of flow direction (reversal) and outflow of the fluid, thus producing two coaxial counter flowing flows in the coaxial cannulas. The pump can be used making use of a single portal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for transporting fluid between different locations within a body cavity and, in one particular application, systems and methods for transporting fluids to maintain at least partial blood flow through a protected blood flow path within the right and/or left side of the heart during surgery. The protected blood flow path may be established by positioning one or more conduits within at least a portion of the right and/or left sides(s) of the heart. At least partial blood flow may be maintained through the protected blood flow path by the pumping action of a blood pump disposed within the conduit.

Abstract: A cannula assembly provides access to an interior body region. The cannula assembly defines a lumen having a distal region. The lumen includes a bend in the distal region to guide deployment in the body region. A closure assembly can be provided to open and close the cannula assembly to fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for performing beating heart surgery involving the step of maintaining at least partial blood flow through a protected blood flow path within the right and/or left side of the heart during surgery. The protected blood flow path may be established by positioning one or more conduits within at least a portion of the right and/or left sides(s) of the heart. In a first system, at least partial blood flow may be maintained through the protected blood flow path by the pumping action of a blood pump communicatively coupled to the conduit. In a second system, at least partial blood flow is maintained through the protected blood flow path by the pumping action of the beating heart itself. The systems are therefore capable of maintaining at least partial blood flow through the right and/or left sides(s) of the heart, even during periods when the cardiac output becomes compromised.

Abstract: Pump and cannula systems inserted through the right side and/or left side of the heart provide protection against collapse of the heart chambers and veins and arteries and provide supplemental blood flow through same to enable beating heart or still heart surgery, such as bypass surgery, on all vessels of the heart, including lateral and posterior vessels. Pump and cannula systems are provided for supporting pulmonary and/or circulatory blood flow external of the heart during any beating heart or still heart surgical procedure, including value repair or replacement. The invention eliminates the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machines in all heart surgery and utilizes the patient's lung(s) for providing oxygenated blood during heart surgery. The invention further provides stents adapted for protecting from vein, artery, atrium and/or ventricle collapse during beating heart bypass surgery.

Abstract: Pump and cannula systems inserted through the right side and/or left side of the heart provide protection against collapse of the heart chambers and veins and arteries and provide supplemental blood flow through same to enable beating heart bypass surgery on all vessels of the heart, including lateral and posterior vessels. The invention eliminates the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machines. The invention further provides stents adapted for protecting from vein, artery, atrium and/or ventricle collapse during beating heart bypass surgery.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a cannulation system (10) and related methods for augmenting the cardiac output of the heart during cardiac surgery.

Abstract: A cannulation system for cardiac support uses an inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula. The outer cannula includes a fluid inlet for placement within the right atrium of a heart. The inner cannula includes a fluid inlet extending through the fluid inlet of the outer cannula and the atrial septum for placement within at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. The cannulation system also employs a pumping assembly coupled to the inner and outer cannulas to withdraw blood from the right atrium for delivery to the pulmonary artery to provide right heart support, or to withdraw blood from at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle for delivery into the aorta to provide left heart support, or both.