Circulatory assist device, circulatory assist system, and related methods

A circulatory assist system comprising:

• a placement catheter including an outer sheath;
• and
• a circulatory assist device including
• a stent cage formed of a first material that is sufficiently rigid to expand radially outward and press against an artery wall of an artery and that is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath, and
• an impeller including at least one blade formed of a second material that is sufficiently rigid to expand and retain shape while rotating and assisting blood to flow within the artery and is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath with the stent cage.

A method of treating a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:

• making an incision in the subject to form an insertion point at an artery of the subject;
• inserting a circulatory assist device into the artery of the subject while the circulatory assist device is at least partially positioned within an outer sheath of a placement catheter, the circulatory assist device including a stent cage formed of a first material that is sufficiently rigid to expand radially outward and press against an artery wall of an artery and that is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath, and an impeller including at least one blade formed of a second material that is sufficiently rigid to expand and retain shape while rotating and assisting blood to flow within the artery and is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath with the stent cage;
• withdrawing the outer sheath from covering the stent cage and the impeller of the circulatory assist device;
• and
• after the circulatory assist device transitions into an expanded state with the stent cage expanded out against the artery wall and the blade expanding to an operational state, causing the impeller to rotate and assist the blood flow in the artery.