Catheter blood pump heart assist device

A catheter blood pump comprising:

• a cannula comprising:
• a generally cylindrical, flexible, and expandable central portion having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, and a blood flow conduit extending between the first end and the second end:
• a flexible inlet portion at the first end through which blood enters the blood flow conduit when the central portion is expanded, the flexible inlet portion provided with a plurality of separated inlet struts configured to prevent an obstruction from entering the blood flow conduit;
• and
• a flexible outlet portion at the second end through which blood leaves the blood flow conduit when the central portion is expanded, the flexible outlet portion provided with a plurality of separated outlet struts operative to reduce a swirl velocity of blood leaving the blood flow conduit;
• wherein the plurality of inlet struts and the plurality of outlet struts are fabricated from a collapsible shape memory material;
• and
• an impeller disposed in the generally cylindrical, flexible, and expandable central portion of the cannula, the impeller operable to pump blood through the blood flow conduit between the inlet portion and the outlet portion.