Heart assist device with expandable impeller pump

A catheter pump comprising:

• a cannula having an inlet and an outlet;
• an impeller disposed in the cannula, the impeller and cannula sized and shaped to be inserted into a heart of a patient;
• and
• a plurality of stationary blades disposed downstream of the impeller between the impeller and the outlet, the stationary blades being arranged about a rotational axis of the impeller, the plurality of stationary blades acting as a stator on fluid flowing from the impeller, through the stationary blades and thereafter out of the outlet,
• wherein the stationary blades are coupled with a cylindrical member disposed proximally of the impeller, the cylindrical member being disposed about the rotational axis of the impeller, and wherein the stationary blades comprise a first end fixedly attached to the cylindrical member and a second end spaced radially away from the first end.

A catheter pump comprising:

• a cannula having an inlet and an outlet;
• an impeller disposed in the cannula, the impeller and cannula sized and shaped to be inserted into a heart of a patient;
• and
• a plurality of stationary blades disposed downstream of the impeller between the impeller and the outlet, the stationary blades being arranged about a rotational axis of the impeller, the plurality of stationary blades acting as a stator on fluid flowing from the impeller, through the stationary blades and thereafter out of the outlet,
• wherein the stationary blades comprise an expanded state and wherein a proximal edge of at least one of the stationary blades is inclined distally in the expanded state.