Low profile inlet for an implantable blood pump

[0027]The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 6, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0028]Referring now to FIG. 1, an implantable blood pump including a low profile pump inlet according to the invention is shown in perspective. Specifically, a pump inlet 10 is shown attached to an implantable blood pump 50. In this Figure, the pump inlet 10 is shown to include an inlet 22 and a coupling 18.