Heart assist pump.

摘要

A temporary circulatory assist pump (14) is disclosed for implantation in the heart of a patient through the femoral artery. The pump (14) is driven by a flexible drive shaft (30) extending through a catheter (16) and being connected to a power source outside the body of the patient. The pump (14) utilises the moineau pumping principle to pump blood at a rate of approximately three to four liters per minute through the circulatory system of the patient.