Blood Flow Meter Rotor Control via Differential Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood flow meters are limited in measuring a wide range of blood flow rates and are often expensive, with many only capable of measuring low flow rates and lacking the ability to maintain a zero slip condition, which can lead to inaccurate measurements and damage to blood cells.
Innovation Solution
A blood flow meter comprising a rotor driven by blood flow, a magnetic encoder, pressure sensors to measure upstream and downstream pressures, and a control unit that uses a differential transducer and motor to maintain a zero slip condition by adjusting the rotor's rotation based on differential pressure, ensuring accurate measurements and minimizing cell damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional blood flow meters are used, then measurement capability is limited to very low blood flow rates, but device complexity and cost increase to achieve wider measurement range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rotor speed adjustable and controllable through a motor system. The rotor can dynamically adapt its rotation speed to match different blood flow rates, enabling accurate measurements across a wide range of flow conditions. The control unit continuously adjusts the rotor speed to maintain optimal measurement conditions for varying blood flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the rotor by controlling its rotation speed through a motor system. By varying the rotor speed parameter dynamically, the device can accurately measure different blood flow rates. The control unit adjusts the rotor speed parameter to match the measured blood flow conditions, enabling versatile measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If rotor is driven solely by blood flow, then device structure is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to slip condition and blood cell damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit continuously monitors the differential pressure across the rotor and adjusts the motor-driven rotor speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that the rotor maintains optimal rotation speed to prevent slip conditions and minimize blood cell damage, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the motor to preemptively counteract the slip condition before it occurs. The control unit anticipates potential slip conditions by monitoring differential pressure and adjusts the rotor speed in advance to maintain zero slip condition, preventing measurement errors and blood cell damage before they can occur.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If rotor rotation is not controlled, then energy consumption is low, but blood cells are damaged due to uncontrolled rotation speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using the motor to provide only the necessary additional energy to maintain optimal rotor speed, rather than continuously driving the rotor at high speeds. The motor supplies just enough energy to prevent slip condition and minimize blood cell damage, avoiding excessive energy consumption while still protecting blood cells.
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 solution enables accurate measurement of blood flow rates across a wide range while reducing damage to blood cells by maintaining a zero slip condition, improving measurement accuracy and reducing energy consumption within the system.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic encoder configured to sense the rotation of the rotor and to generate a rotation signal based on the sensed rotation of the rotor
Implementation Method 2
a first pressure sensor configured to measure an upstream pressure, wherein the upstream pressure is the blood pressure upstream of the rotor; a second pressure sensor configured to measure a downstream pressure, wherein the downstream pressure is the blood pressure downstream of the rotor
Implementation Method 3
a rotor configured to be placed within a flow of blood and to be driven to rotate by the flow of blood
Data Source
AI summary
A blood flow meter includes a rotor configured to be placed within a flow of blood and to be driven to rotate by the flow of blood; a magnetic encoder configured to sense the rotation of the rotor and to generate a rotation signal based on the sensed rotation of the rotor; a first pressure sensor configured to measure an upstream pressure; a second pressure sensor configured to measure a downstream pressure; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine a differential pressure, the differential pressure including a difference between the downstream pressure and the upstream pressure; and cause an alteration to the rotation of the rotor based on the differential pressure.