Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device (20) that includes a pump-outlet tube (28). A mixed-flow impeller (100) is configured to pump blood from a subjects left ventricle to the subjects aorta, by pumping the blood into the pump-outlet tube (28) via one or more blood inlet openings (108) disposed within the left ventricle, and by pumping blood out of the pump-outlet tube (28) via one or more blood outlet openings (30) disposed within the aorta. The mixed-flow impeller (100) includes an expandable portion (116) disposed along its axis and shaped such that a diameter of the expandable portion increases from a distal end of the expandable portion to its proximal end. The mixed-flow impeller (100) is configured to impart radial flow components to blood as the blood flows from its distal end to its proximal end. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cardiac lead extraction system, comprising: a handle; an elongated body in communication with said handle; a bendable flexible portion in communication with said elongated body, said bendable flexible portion comprising a first lumen sized and shaped to fit over a cardiac lead; said bendable flexible portion being more flexible than said elongated body; an operational distal end in communication with said bendable flexible portion; where said bendable portion is configured to bend to a bending radius of less than 4 cm while keeping said first lumen open; and where said operational distal end comprises at least one lead extraction assistive tool, said operational distal end comprising a second lumen sized and shaped to fit over a cardiac lead, said second lumen being in communication with said first lumen, and said first lumen comprises an inner diameter of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cardiac lead extraction device, comprising: a handle; an elongated body having a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first lumen extending from said first proximal end toward said first distal end, said lumen sized and shaped to fit over a cardiac lead; a controllable bendable flexible portion more flexible that said elongated body and having a second proximal end, a second distal end and a second lumen extending from said second proximal end toward said second distal end, said lumen sized and shaped to fit over a cardiac lead; said second proximal end interconnected to said first distal end; said second distal end interconnected to an operational distal end; wherein said operational distal end comprises at least one lead extraction assistive tool, said lead extraction helping tool is activated by a motor located at said handle or proximally to said handle.