A magnetic levitation pump apparatus, comprising: a housing portion including an inlet cannula defining an axial inlet a center post and an annular cavity concentric with the center post; an annular magnetic rotor disposed in the annular cavity; a secondary flow path in the annular cavity, the secondary flow path having a U-shaped cross-section and extending around the annular magnetic rotor; an impeller coupled to the annular magnetic rotor, the impeller including: a flat peripheral ring including a first surface coupled to the annular magnetic rotor, a second surface facing away from the annular magnetic rotor and a central circular aperture concentrically aligned with the annular magnetic rotor; and a plurality of blades extending from the flat peripheral ring inwardly towards an axis of rotation of the annular magnetic rotor; wherein each of the blades includes: a blade root surface facing the annular magnetic rotor and located in a first plane normal to the axis of rotation, and a blade tip surface facing away from the annular magnetic rotor and located in a second plane normal to the axis of rotation, wherein the blade root surface and the blade tip surface are disposed in parallel planes; and a nose cone portion disposed on the center post and extending through the central circular aperture of the flat peripheral ring, wherein a substantially flat peripheral portion of the nose cone overlaps the leading edge portion of each of the blades and defines a constant gap between the nose cone portion and the blades, wherein a curved central portion of the nose cone extends axially beyond the blades and into the axial inlet. a housing portion including an inlet cannula defining an axial inlet a center post and an annular cavity concentric with the center post; an annular magnetic rotor disposed in the annular cavity; a secondary flow path in the annular cavity, the secondary flow path having a U-shaped cross-section and extending around the annular magnetic rotor; an impeller coupled to the annular magnetic rotor, the impeller including: a flat peripheral ring including a first surface coupled to the annular magnetic rotor, a second surface facing away from the annular magnetic rotor and a central circular aperture concentrically aligned with the annular magnetic rotor; and a plurality of blades extending from the flat peripheral ring inwardly towards an axis of rotation of the annular magnetic rotor; wherein each of the blades includes: a blade root surface facing the annular magnetic rotor and located in a first plane normal to the axis of rotation, and a blade tip surface facing away from the annular magnetic rotor and located in a second plane normal to the axis of rotation, wherein the blade root surface and the blade tip surface are disposed in parallel planes; and a flat peripheral ring including a first surface coupled to the annular magnetic rotor, a second surface facing away from the annular magnetic rotor and a central circular aperture concentrically aligned with the annular magnetic rotor; and a plurality of blades extending from the flat peripheral ring inwardly towards an axis of rotation of the annular magnetic rotor; wherein each of the blades includes: a blade root surface facing the annular magnetic rotor and located in a first plane normal to the axis of rotation, and a blade tip surface facing away from the annular magnetic rotor and located in a second plane normal to the axis of rotation, wherein the blade root surface and the blade tip surface are disposed in parallel planes; and a blade root surface facing the annular magnetic rotor and located in a first plane normal to the axis of rotation, and a blade tip surface facing away from the annular magnetic rotor and located in a second plane normal to the axis of rotation, wherein the blade root surface and the blade tip surface are disposed in parallel planes; and a nose cone portion disposed on the center post and extending through the central circular aperture of the flat peripheral ring, wherein a substantially flat peripheral portion of the nose cone overlaps the leading edge portion of each of the blades and defines a constant gap between the nose cone portion and the blades, wherein a curved central portion of the nose cone extends axially beyond the blades and into the axial inlet.