CENTRIFUGAL BLOOD PUMP WITH TAPERED SHAFT SEAL

摘要

A centrifugal blood pump (10) has a tapered seal (62) between a pump housing wall (16) and a hub (34) of an impeller (30) which provides a fluid tight seal interface (70) surrounding a drive shaft (32) which is connected to the impeller (30) and which extends through the pump housing wall (16). The tapered seal (62) has a maximum radial dimension adjacent to the wall (16) and a minimum radial dimension adjacent the hub (34) so that air bubbles (which seek the smallest shaft diameter) will not insulate the seal interface (70) edges from fluid flow. The seal interface (70), which is perpendicular to the drive shaft (32) axis, is located in a high flow area between the wall (16) and the hub (34) to increase cooling effects.