Artificial Heart Flow Control Using Sensor-Driven Activity Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Artificial hearts are limited in functionality, unable to dynamically adjust flowrate to match patient activity, leading to rapid wear and tear and a short lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An external controller, such as a mobile user computing entity, processes signals from body sensors using machine-learning models to adjust artificial heart operational parameters, mimicking natural heart function, and switches to a safe mode upon trigger conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If artificial heart operates at constant functionality, then it ensures reliable blood flow, but it causes rapid wear and tear on mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial heart system transitions from constant operation to dynamic operation by continuously adjusting flowrate based on real-time sensor feedback. The controller monitors patient activity levels and physiological parameters, then modulates the artificial heart's output accordingly, allowing the mechanical components to experience varying stress levels rather than constant maximum load, thereby extending component lifespan while maintaining reliable blood flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (flowrate, pressure, speed) dynamically based on patient needs. By adjusting these parameters in response to sensor data about patient activity and physiological state, the artificial heart operates at optimal levels rather than constant maximum capacity, reducing mechanical wear while ensuring adequate blood flow under all conditions.
2Reliability
If artificial heart provides constant high flowrate, then it ensures adequate blood supply, but it cannot match patient's bodily functions during activities
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control where sensors continuously monitor patient physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, activity level) and feed this data to the controller. The controller then adjusts the artificial heart's flowrate in real-time based on this feedback, enabling the system to adapt to changing patient needs during various activities while maintaining adequate blood supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial heart system is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only pumps blood but also responds to various patient states (resting, exercising, sleeping, eating) by adjusting its operation. The integrated sensor array and controller enable the system to function as both a mechanical pump and a physiological regulator, adapting to diverse patient conditions.
3Reliability
If artificial heart operates continuously at maximum capacity, then it ensures life-sustaining function, but it results in fast wear and tear on mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial heart operates in periodic cycles that mirror natural heart function, with varying flowrates during different phases of patient activity. Rather than continuous maximum capacity operation, the system uses periodic adjustments in flowrate based on patient needs, creating rest periods and lower-stress intervals that reduce cumulative mechanical wear while maintaining life-sustaining function throughout the cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for an artificial heart enables activity-specific adjustments to the operation of an artificial heart by obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors monitoring characteristics of a patient's body, and using the sensor data as input to one or more control parameter models for identifying control parameters to be provided to the artificial heart to adjust the operational parameters of the artificial heart. The controller is in wireless communication with the artificial heart via an application program interface (API)-based communication channel that facilitates communication between the controller and the artificial heart. Moreover, a cloud-based management computing entity may be utilized to train and/or execute one or more models to enable real-time updates to the operational characteristics of the artificial heart to enable the artificial heart to appropriately accommodate activities of the patient.