Bearing device for a heart support system, and method for rinsing a space in a bearing device for a heart support system

A method for flushing an intermediate space for guiding a flushing fluid flow with a fluid in a bearing device of a heart pump, the method comprising:

• providing the intermediate space, the intermediate space comprising at least one flushing inlet for introducing the flushing fluid flow and at least one flushing outlet for discharging the flushing fluid flow, wherein the intermediate space is configured between an impeller which can rotate about an axis of rotation for conveying a pump fluid flow and a stand unit configured to align the impeller about the axis of rotation;
• introducing the fluid into the intermediate space through the at least one flushing inlet;
• expelling the fluid from the intermediate space through the at least one flushing outlet to at least one first discharge opening by means of a centrifugal force acting upon the fluid in the at least one flushing outlet relative to the axis of rotation, wherein the at least one flushing outlet comprises the at least one first discharge opening for an exit of the flushing fluid flow, wherein the at least one first discharge opening has an opening cross-section in which an opening cross-section normal vector faces away from the axis of rotation and is radial to the axis of rotation, wherein the impeller is disposed in a housing section connected to an inlet hose for supplying the fluid, wherein the housing section comprises at least two second discharge openings for discharging the pump fluid flow, and wherein the opening cross-section normal vector intersects with at the least two second discharge openings of the housing section and is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

A heart pump configured to be delivered to the heart via catheter for pumping blood, the heart pump comprising:

• a conduit having a discharge opening and configured to convey blood through the discharge opening into a blood vessel;
• an impeller comprising a first magnet and configured to rotate about an axis to convey the blood;
• and
• a support comprising a second magnet and configured to magnetically communicate with the first magnet to rotate the impeller, wherein the impeller and support define an intermediate space therebetween, the intermediate space configured to convey from a flushing inlet to a flushing outlet a portion of the blood conveyed through the conduit, the flushing inlet disposed downstream of the flushing outlet with respect to a direction of flow of the blood conveyed in the conduit, and the flushing outlet extending perpendicular to the axis;
• wherein the flushing outlet extends in a direction that intersects the discharge opening of the conduit.