Patent ID: 8888728

Claim:
An intravascular blood pump system, comprising: an intravascular blood pump comprising: a rotor having a rotor hub tapering in the distal direction, at least one blade extending radially outward from the rotor hub, the hub has a distal end extending distally beyond the most distal portion of the blade and a shroud within which the rotor is rotatably disposed; a cannula extending from the shroud and comprising an outer cannula surface, the outer cannula surface having a substantially circular cross-section along a portion of its length; a first lumen in fluid communication with the intravascular blood pump and operatively arranged to deliver purge fluid to the intravascular blood pump; and a guide mechanism configured as a second lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the guide mechanism adapted to guide a distal portion of said intravascular blood pump system to a predetermined location within the circulatory system of a patient; wherein an axis coaxial with and extending through a portion of said guide mechanism extends through a region delimited by the outer cannula surface, and wherein the guide mechanism is configured to allow for a guide wire to slideably advance therealong.