CPC A61M 60/135 (2021.01) [A61M 60/148 (2021.01); A61M 60/216 (2021.01); A61M 60/422 (2021.01); A61M 60/816 (2021.01); A61M 60/857 (2021.01); A61M 2205/3331 (2013.01)] | 6 Claims |
1. A blood pump system comprising:
a blood pump;
an intravascular flow cannula that is in flow communication with the blood pump and has a general longitudinal axis and a distal end portion distally from the blood pump and a proximal end portion closer to the blood pump, wherein the distal end portion of the intravascular flow cannula comprises at least one blood flow through opening for blood to enter or exit the intravascular flow cannula and a funnel structure having a proximal end and a distal end, a cross section of the distal end of the funnel structure being larger than a cross section of the proximal end of the funnel structure, wherein the at least one blood flow through opening has a borderline surrounding the at least one blood flow through opening and the borderline has a proximal portion that is formed by the distal end of the funnel structure; and
a pressure sensor placed inside the intravascular flow cannula, wherein the pressure sensor includes a pressure sensitive surface that borders the proximal portion of the borderline, wherein the pressure sensor so placed inside the intravascular flow cannula with the pressure sensitive surface bordering the proximal portion of the borderline is configured to (a) measure a pressure external to the distal end portion of the intravascular flow cannula, and (b) detect a negative pressure due to suction of the distal end portion of the intravascular flow cannula against patient tissue, based on values sensed by the pressure sensor.
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