Arterial Catheter Control System for Automated Blood Flow Reversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current control systems for arterial catheters lack automation in selectively blocking blood flow to effectively redirect blood flow from one artery to another for therapeutic purposes, which can lead to inefficiencies in managing blood flow reversal protocols.

Innovation Solution

A control system for arterial catheters that includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium, which executes logic to inflate and deflate balloons based on physical parameters and predetermined time periods to selectively impede blood flow in one artery and increase blood flow in another, allowing for automated management of blood flow reversal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual control of balloon inflation/deflation is used, then flexibility in adjusting blood flow reversal protocols is maintained, but automation and consistency of treatment are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of blood flow reversal protocolVSAvoidmanual adjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors physical parameters (such as pressure, flow rate, or other physiological indicators) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust balloon inflation and deflation timing. The processor receives signals representing physical parameters and automatically modifies the blood flow reversal protocol based on real-time patient condition changes, eliminating the need for constant manual intervention while maintaining treatment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to autonomously manage the blood flow reversal protocol by automatically detecting when parameter thresholds are met and executing相应的 balloon inflation/deflation sequences. The control system serves itself by making real-time decisions based on monitored parameters, reducing operator workload while maintaining protocol adaptability through automated adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If fixed time-based balloon deflation is used, then protocol consistency is improved, but inability to respond to real-time patient condition changes occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol consistencyVSAvoidresponse to patient condition changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from static, pre-programmed timing to dynamic, real-time adjustment of balloon deflation based on monitored physical parameters. The processor continuously evaluates patient condition data and automatically modifies deflation timing to optimize therapeutic outcomes, allowing the protocol to adapt to changing physiological conditions while maintaining structured control through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous monitoring of physical parameters with automatic feedback loops that adjust balloon operation timing based on real-time patient response. When parameters indicate improved or deteriorated conditions, the system automatically modifies the blood flow reversal protocol, ensuring both consistency in monitoring and adaptability in response to actual patient needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If automated control based on physical parameters is implemented, then response to patient condition changes is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to patient condition changesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual mechanical control systems with automated electronic control based on physical parameter monitoring. The processor-based system automatically interprets sensor data and executes balloon control sequences, substituting manual judgment and mechanical operation with electronic sensing and automated actuation, thereby reducing operational complexity while enhancing adaptability to patient conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment based on predefined parameter thresholds and automated decision logic. By embedding the control intelligence within the system itself, the complexity of real-time decision-making is handled autonomously by the device, reducing the burden on operators while maintaining high adaptability to changing patient conditions through automated response mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Duration of action of moving object

If prolonged balloon inflation is used, then therapeutic blood flow reversal is improved, but risk of adverse effects increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of blood flow reversalVSAvoidadverse effects from prolonged occlusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors physical parameters during balloon inflation and automatically detects when therapeutic goals are achieved or when adverse effects begin to manifest. Based on this real-time feedback, the system automatically terminates inflation at the optimal moment, preventing both under-treatment and over-treatment. This ensures maximum therapeutic benefit while minimizing duration-related adverse effects through automated, parameter-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts balloon inflation duration based on real-time patient response rather than using fixed time intervals. The processor continuously evaluates physiological parameters and automatically modifies inflation timing to achieve optimal therapeutic effect, allowing the treatment duration to be optimized for each patient's specific response pattern while automatically preventing excessive duration that could lead to adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9931490B2Control system for arterial catheter
Publication Date: 2018.04.03 ZOLL CIRCULATION INC
  • US9931490B2 patent drawing
  • US9931490B2 patent drawing
  • US9931490B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control system for an arterial catheter operable to selectively impede blood flow includes a processor and a storage medium accessible to the processor that bears instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to execute logic including receiving a first signal representing a physical parameter associated with a patient in whom the catheter is disposed, receiving a second signal representative of time, and causing inflation of a first balloon on the catheter to impede blood flow in the first artery. Based at least in part on the first signal satisfying a first condition, the instructions include causing deflation of the first balloon. Based at least in part on the second signal indicating elapse of a predetermined time period, the instructions include causing deflation of the first balloon regardless of whether the first signal satisfies the first condition.