Anesthesia Pressure Cuff for Hemodynamic Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anesthesia-induced cardiovascular and metabolic changes lead to blood volume redistribution, decreased core temperature, and impaired heart function, which are challenging to manage with current volume infusion and vasoconstrictor treatments, especially in the postoperative phase.

Innovation Solution

A device using external compression via pressure cuffs on extremities to counteract blood volume redistribution, maintain core temperature, and assess heart responsiveness, potentially reducing the need for volume administration and vasoconstrictors by applying controlled pressure and temperature adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If volume infusion is administered to counteract blood volume redistribution, then intravascular volume is increased, but this does not address the underlying redistribution mechanism and may lead to fluid overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintravascular volumeVSAvoidresponse to anesthesia-induced redistribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies preliminary counter-pressure to extremities before and during anesthesia induction to prevent blood volume redistribution from intrathoracic to extrathoracic compartments. By compressing peripheral vessels in advance, the system opposes the vasodilatory effects of anesthesia before they can cause significant hemodynamic changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts compression pressure parameters in response to detected hemodynamic changes. The control device modifies pressure magnitude and application patterns based on real-time blood pressure and volume measurements, adapting the counteraction to the patient's specific physiological response to anesthesia.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If vasoconstrictor substances are administered to maintain blood pressure, then vascular tone is increased, but blood flow to certain organs or vascular areas may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressureVSAvoidblood flow reduction in organs
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies localized compression to specific extremity regions rather than systemic vasoconstriction. By targeting only peripheral extremities with controlled pressure, the system maintains central blood pressure without reducing blood flow to vital organs, achieving local rather than global vascular effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The compression device acts as a mechanical intermediary that replaces pharmacological vasoconstrictors. Instead of using chemical substances that cause systemic effects, the system uses controlled mechanical pressure as an intermediate means to achieve hemodynamic stabilization without organ ischemia.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If anesthesia is administered to deactivate consciousness, then surgical conditions are improved, but neuro-humoral regulatory mechanisms are partially deactivated leading to cardiovascular instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical conditionsVSAvoidcardiovascular function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-regulation of cardiovascular function during anesthesia by using feedback from blood pressure sensors to automatically adjust compression pressure. The closed-loop control allows the device to compensate for anesthesia-induced regulatory deactivation without requiring external pharmacological intervention, maintaining cardiovascular stability autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates continuous blood pressure monitoring and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust compression pressure. The control device receives signals from pressure sensors and modifies compression parameters in real-time, creating a feedback loop that maintains cardiovascular stability despite anesthesia-induced neuro-humoral deactivation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If positive pressure ventilation is used during general anesthesia, then ventilation is maintained, but blood volume redistribution from intrathoracic to extrathoracic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidintrathoracic blood volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies preliminary compression to extremities before positive pressure ventilation begins, creating a counterbalancing effect. By pre-compressing peripheral vessels, the system prepares the circulatory system to resist the intrathoracic to extrathoracic blood shift that occurs during positive pressure ventilation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The compression pressure is dynamically adjusted in coordination with ventilation cycles. The control device modulates compression intensity based on respiratory phase and detected hemodynamic changes, creating a dynamic counterbalancing mechanism that adapts to the varying effects of positive pressure ventilation throughout the respiratory cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively counteracts anesthesia-induced blood volume redistribution, maintains core temperature, and determines heart responsiveness, allowing for targeted therapeutic interventions and potentially reducing the need for volume administration and vasoconstrictors.

Implementation Method 1

pressure increasing means for applying external compression to the at least one arm or the at least one leg by increasing a pressure in the pressure cuff

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExternal compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

pressure decreasing means for reducing the pressure in the pressure cuff

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

at least one sensor for detecting a patient's blood pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 4

a control device which is set up in such a way that it receives signals from the at least one sensor and controls the pressure increasing means and pressure reducing means depending on the signal values of the at least one sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2265239B1Appliance for diagnosis, performance and/or regulation of physiological functions, in particular in an anaesthetized patient
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 UP MED
  • EP2265239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2265239B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2265239B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an appliance for diagnosis, performance and/or regulation of physiological functions, in particular in an anaesthetized patient, comprising a pressure device (10) for at least one body region or extremity (55) of a patient (50), wherein pressure-increasing means (21) and pressure-reducing means (22) are assigned to the pressure device (10), and a control device (30) is provided with which the pressure in the pressure device (10) can be controlled via the pressure-increasing means (21) and the pressure-reducing means (22).