| abstract |
An apparatus for pumping blood includes an elongated housing dimensioned to be at least partially positioned within the heart of a patient, a rotating member supported for rotational movement within the elongated housing and a drive mechanism for imparting rotational movement to the rotating member. The elongated housing includes an outer wall, a first inlet port for permitting blood to enter the elongated housing through a first end of the elongated housing and a second inlet port defined in the outer wall of the elongated housing for permitting blood to enter through the outer wall. The rotating member is rotatable to impart pumping energy to the blood entering through the first and second inlet ports to direct the blood through an outlet opening of the elongated housing. The rotating member preferably includes first and second blood pumping blade arrangements. The first blade arrangement is dimensioned to impart pump energy to the blood entering the elongated housing through the first inlet port. The second blade arrangement is dimensioned to at least impart pump energy to the blood entering the elongated housing through the second inlet port. The electric motor stator and rotor define a space therebetween through which blood entering the first inlet passes. The motor is an ironless core copper electromagnetic windings which provides a sufficiently large air space for blood flow. |