Guidewire for circulatory assist devices

A percutaneous circulatory support system, comprising:

• a guidewire comprising:
• a distal section extending to a distal end of the guidewire, the distal section having a first diameter;
• a central section having a second diameter;
• a proximal section extending to a proximal end of the guidewire, the proximal section having a third diameter, the second diameter being greater than both the first diameter and the third diameter;
• a first transition section between the proximal section and the central section;
• and
• a second transition section between the central section and the distal section;
• a blood pump configured to be coupled to and moved along the guidewire, the blood pump comprising:
• an impeller housing;
• a motor housing coupled to the impeller housing;
• and
• an impeller disposed within the impeller housing, the impeller configured to cause blood to flow through the blood pump;
• an introducer sheath configured to receive the blood pump and the proximal section of
• the guidewire therethrough.

A method of positioning a blood pump within a patient, the method comprising:

• inserting an introducer sheath at an access point;
• inserting a guidewire into the introducer sheath, the guidewire having a distal section with a first diameter, a central section with a second diameter, and a proximal section with a third diameter, the first and third diameters being less than the second diameter;
• positioning the guidewire through the introducer sheath such that a distal end of the proximal section is distal of the introducer sheath;
• and
• thereafter, advancing the blood pump through the introducer sheath along the proximal section of the guidewire, the blood pump comprising an impeller housing and an impeller disposed within the housing and configured to cause blood to flow through the blood pump.