Blood Flow Control System for Surgical Diversions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood supply systems face challenges in maintaining precise control over blood flow rates and pressures during surgeries or extracorporeal ventilation, which can lead to unsafe conditions such as air aspiration and embolism hazards due to fluctuations in blood flow and pressure.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a monitoring arrangement to determine the flow rate through a primary outlet and a controller to maintain a pre-determined flow rate by modulating the first pump, independent of secondary blood diversions, using feedback loops and flow sensors to adjust pump parameters and prevent pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outlets are opened for blood diversion during surgery, then the versatility and adaptability of the blood supply system is improved, but the flow rate control precision and pressure stability deteriorate due to fluctuations in blood flow and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where flow sensors continuously monitor the actual flow rate through the main blood supply channel, and the controller adjusts the main pump's operational parameters in real-time to compensate for flow variations caused by outlet diversions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains precise flow rate control despite multiple outlets being opened for different surgical needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the main pump's operational parameters (speed, flow rate, pressure) in real-time based on the number and configuration of open outlets. The controller continuously modifies pump settings to compensate for changing system conditions, enabling the system to adapt to various surgical scenarios while maintaining stable flow and pressure through the main channel.
2Productivity
If blood flow rate is increased to meet surgical demand, then the productivity and responsiveness of the blood supply system is improved, but the risk of air aspiration and embolism hazards increases due to pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors flow rate and pressure parameters, and when high flow rates are demanded, the controller adjusts pump parameters and activates compensation mechanisms to maintain stable pressure conditions. This prevents the pressure fluctuations that could cause air aspiration or embolism hazards while still delivering the required high blood flow rates for surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preventive control measures by continuously monitoring flow and pressure parameters and making anticipatory adjustments to pump operations. Before pressure fluctuations can occur that might lead to air aspiration, the controller proactively adjusts pump parameters to maintain stable pressure conditions, especially when high flow rates are required for surgical demand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If secondary blood diversions are added to the main blood supply channel, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the complexity of flow rate management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system automatically monitors the configuration of open outlets and the resulting flow distribution, and the controller calculates and implements the necessary pump parameter adjustments to maintain correct flow rates. This automated feedback mechanism simplifies flow rate management despite complex outlet configurations, as the system self-regulates without requiring manual calculation or intervention for each diversion scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system controlling the blood flow rate in a blood supply system (1) in which a pump (18) transports blood from a reservoir (10) toward multiple outlets (30, 26, 26a) of which one or more outlets are openable to permit flow and closable to block flow, wherein the control system comprises a monitoring arrangement (22, 32, 32a) to determine the flow rate through a first outlet (30), and a controller responsive to the monitoring arrangement and controlling the pump (18) to maintain the flow rate through the first outlet (30) at a pre-determined level. This allows a flow rate through the first outlet to be maintained independently of any active blood diversions.