Impeller frame

An apparatus, comprising:

• a ventricular assist device comprising:
• an impeller configured to be placed inside a left ventricle of a subject;
• a frame 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 continuously widens from a distal end of the frame to a distal end of the cylindrical central portion, the frame configured to be disposed around the impeller such that the impeller is disposed at least partially within the cylindrical central portion of the frame,
• wherein the frame defines struts that define cells therebetween, and
• wherein all cells that are defined at least partially within the distal conical portion of the frame extend into the cylindrical central portion of the frame.