Beating Heart Training Model Control for Realistic Rhythm Simulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cardiac surgery training models lack the ability to produce realistic heart motions and responses, particularly in varying patient anatomies, and do not effectively control heart animation to simulate sinus or arrhythmic beating patterns.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for controlling heart animation in a training model using an adjustable valve and a controller that adjusts input parameters based on environmental stimuli or user inputs, cycling through multiple control sequences synchronized by a BPM timer to simulate realistic cardiac rhythms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a prosthetic heart model is used to simulate beating heart surgery, then training realism is improved, but the ability to produce realistic heart motions and responses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining realismVSAvoidheart motion realism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the heart model's motion characteristics adjustable and responsive. The control system allows the heart to transition between different motion states (arrested, sinus rhythm, arrhythmia) based on environmental stimuli and user inputs, making the previously static prosthetic model dynamically adaptive to simulate realistic cardiac behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of heart motion control from fixed to variable. By adjusting control parameters through the control system in response to environmental stimuli (such as completion of training procedures), the heart model can modify its beating patterns, rate, and rhythm to produce more realistic responses that adapt to different training scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If heart animation control is simplified for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to simulate realistic cardiac rhythms deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidrhythm simulation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the heart model to automatically adjust its animation parameters in response to environmental stimuli without requiring complex manual intervention. The control system autonomously transitions the heart between different rhythmic states based on detected conditions, such as automatically switching from arrhythmia to sinus pattern upon completion of a training procedure, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while achieving realistic rhythm simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control system monitors environmental conditions and user interactions, then adjusts heart animation parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control allows the system to maintain realistic cardiac rhythm simulation while keeping the interface simple, as the system self-regulates based on feedback from sensors and user inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260024465A1System and method for controlling a beating heart surgical training tool

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 ATRICURE INC

AI summary

Provided is a system and methods of controlling heart animation of a training model in a sinus or arrhythmic beating pattern based on at least one input parameter. The method may include selectively controlling an adjustable valve in phases according to the at least one input parameter to animate the heart. Additionally, the method may include adjusting input parameters during operation based on an environmental stimulus.