A shallow angle rotor bearing-vane system includes a smooth angled non-rotating journal component and a mating angled bearing/vane component, incorporating a plurality of integrated bearing/vanes oriented in a generally radial direction, which provide axial and radial load carrying support between the rotating components, and pumping action to the blood. The load carrying bearing surface situated in very close running proximity to the mating bearing component to prevent entry of red blood cells between the mating bearing surfaces, thereby creating a bearing operating in an elasto-hydrodynamic regime of mixed-lubrication or boundary-lubrication.
