AXIAL FLOW ROTOR WITH DOWNSTREAM BEARING WASH FLOW

摘要

An implantable blood pump includes an impeller rotatable about a rotational axis, having a body with a bottom surface at a downstream end and a central opening centered about the axis extending at least partially through the body from the bottom surface. A projecting element, e.g., a shaft, extends from below the bottom surface into or through the opening to support the impeller. The body can be configured to drive a primary downstream blood flow along an exterior of the body to beyond a peripheral edge of the bottom surface, and to provide a secondary downstream blood flow through the opening and along the bottom surface to beyond the peripheral edge, the secondary flow improving washing of a bearing surface.

主权项

1. An impeller for a blood pump, comprising:
a body having a bottom surface at a downstream end of the body and a central opening extending at least partially through the body from the bottom surface, the central opening centered about a rotational axis of the body, the body being configured to rotate about an element projecting from a surface below the bottom surface into the opening to drive a primary blood flow along an exterior of the body to beyond a peripheral edge of the bottom surface, and the body configured to drive a secondary blood flow through the opening and along the bottom surface beyond the peripheral edge.