Patent ID: 7998054

Claim:
An intravascular pumping system for supplementing blood circulation through a patient experiencing congestive heart failure, the system comprising: a pumping device configured to pump blood through the patient at subcardiac volumetric rates, said pumping device having an average flow rate that, during normal operation thereof, is substantially below that of the patient's heart when healthy, the pumping device configured to be positioned within the vasculature of a patient; an inflow portion including a cage-like inlet having a plurality of struts through which blood can flow, the inflow portion fluidly coupled to the pumping device to direct blood to the pumping device; and, an outflow portion fluidly coupled to the pumping device to direct blood away from the pumping device, the outflow portion configured to be positioned within the vasculature of the patient; whereby the pumping device and the inflow and outflow portions are configured so as to be inserted subcutaneously in an minimally-invasive procedure.