Magenta Medical Ltd.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a device that includes a delivery catheter, a proximal element, which is disposed proximally to the delivery catheter and is wider than the delivery catheter, an elongate element passing through the proximal element and the delivery catheter, and a self-expandable element coupled to the elongate element. Packaging includes a tray, shaped to define a chamber in which the self-expandable element is packageable, and configured to stabilize the proximal element while the self-expandable element is retracted into the delivery catheter via retraction of the elongate element. A securement piece is coupled to the tray adjacently to the chamber, and is configured to secure a distal end of the delivery catheter while the self-expandable element is retracted into the delivery catheter.

Apparatus and methods are described including, by passing a purging fluid through an intracorporeal device, which includes a first component, a second component, an inflatable element, and a self-expandable element, inflating the inflatable element with the purging fluid, and purging an interface between the first component and the second component. By suctioning the purging fluid from the intracorporeal device, the inflatable element is deflated. Subsequently to deflating the inflatable element, the self-expandable element is crimped. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes an impeller configured to be placed inside a left ventricle of a subject, and a frame configured to be disposed around the impeller. The frame is shaped such that, in a non-radially constrained configuration of the frame, the frame defines a cylindrical central portion, and a distal conical portion that is disposed distally with respect to the cylindrical central portion and that widens from a distal end of the frame to a distal end of the cylindrical central portion. The frame defines struts that define openings therebetween, and all openings that are defined at least partially within the distal conical portion of the frame extend into the cylindrical central portion of the frame. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an impeller having proximal and distal end portions, a frame disposed around the impeller, and a shaft member that passes through the proximal and distal end portions of the impeller and that is configured to impart rotational motion to the impeller. The impeller defines a radially-constrained configuration in which the impeller is introduced into a subject's body and a non-radially-constrained configuration in which the impeller is configured to pump blood within the subject's body. The distal end portion of the impeller is configured to slide over the shaft member as the impeller changes from its radially-constrained configuration to its non-radially-constrained configuration. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including an impeller ( 50 ) that includes a proximal bushing ( 64 ) and a distal bushing ( 58 ). Two or more helical elongate elements ( 52 ) extend from the proximal bushing ( 64 ) to the distal bushing ( 58 ), and an axial structure ( 54 ) is disposed inside of the two or more helical elongate elements ( 52 ), and along an axis around which the helical elongate elements ( 52 ) wind. The impeller ( 50 ) includes an impeller-overexpansion-prevention element ( 72 ). The impeller-overexpansion-prevention element is a single integrated structure that includes a ring ( 73 ) disposed around the axial structure ( 54 ), and a plurality of elongate elements ( 67 ) each of the elongate elements ( 67 ) extending from the ring to a respective helical elongate element ( 52 ) and being coupled to the respective helical elongate element ( 52 ) so as to prevent radial expansion of the impeller ( 50 ). Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including using an occluding element that is placed in a vein of the patient at a downstream location that is downstream of a tributary vessel that supplies the vein, at least partially mechanically occluding the vein of the patient at the downstream location, such as to form a compartment within the vein that is isolated from a downstream region of the vein that is downstream of the tributary vessel. Using a blood pump that is placed in the compartment, blood is mechanically pumping through the vein from the compartment to a discharge location in the downstream region while the vein is at least partially occluded, wherein the blood remains in the vein throughout the mechanical pumping of the blood from the compartment to the discharge location. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including reducing cardiac preload of a subject by partially occluding a vena cava of the subject at an infra-renal location. One or more physiological parameters of the subject are monitored, the one or more physiological parameters including lower body venous pressure, central venous pressure, central venous blood flow, renal venous pressure, cardiac diameter, cardiac volume, arterial pressure, and/or arterial blood flow. An extent to which the vena cava is occluded at the infra-renal location is modulated, responsively to the one or more physiological parameters. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described for manufacturing a housing for an impeller of a blood pump. A mandrel is placed inside an inner lining, with a central cylindrical portion of a frame disposed around the inner lining, the mandrel being shorter than a length of the inner lining. A portion of an elongate tube is placed around at least a portion of the frame. The inner lining, the frame and the portion of the elongate tube are heated, via the mandrel, and, while heating the inner lining, the frame, and the portion of the elongate tube, pressure is applied from outside the portion of the elongate tube, such as to cause the portion of the elongate tube to become coupled to the frame. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an axial shaft configured for insertion into, and rotation within, a subject's body. The blood pump also includes an impeller, which includes a proximal bushing disposed over the axial shaft, a distal bushing disposed over the axial shaft distally from the proximal bushing, and one or more blades. Each of the blades includes a single inner helical elongate element, a single outer helical elongate element, and a film of material extending between the inner helical elongate element and the outer helical elongate element. The blades are proximally coupled to the proximal bushing and distally coupled to the distal bushing such that, as the axial shaft rotates, the blades rotate, thereby pumping blood of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including an impeller configured, in a radially-expanded configuration thereof, to pump a fluid by rotating. A radially expandable cage is disposed around the impeller, such that, in radially-expanded configurations of the impeller and the cage, the impeller is separated from an inner surface of the cage. The impeller is disposed within the cage such that, in response to the cage becoming radially contracted and axially elongated, the impeller radially contracts and axially elongates. Other applications are also described.