Blood Pump Mean Arterial Pressure Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring mean arterial pressure in patients with implantable blood pumps are inconvenient and require clinical intervention, lacking the ability for continuous or regular monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a control circuit coupled with the blood pump to identify segments of the cardiac cycle, determine blood flow rate based on operating current and back electromotive force, and estimate mean arterial pressure by calculating the difference between pressure head and pressure loss, allowing for continuous monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If clinical intervention is used to monitor mean arterial pressure, then measurement accuracy is ensured, but monitoring convenience and continuity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemean arterial pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blood pump controller autonomously monitors mean arterial pressure by utilizing its existing sensors and processing units to calculate pressure head and pressure loss, eliminating the need for external clinical intervention while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit performs multiple functions including pump control, blood flow rate measurement, and mean arterial pressure monitoring by reusing existing hardware components, thereby improving monitoring convenience without sacrificing accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If clinical intervention is used for mean arterial pressure monitoring, then measurement reliability is maintained, but monitoring frequency and continuity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous monitoring of mean arterial pressure by continuously calculating pressure head and pressure loss based on real-time sensor data, allowing unlimited monitoring frequency without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit continuously monitors pump operation parameters and adjusts pressure calculations based on feedback from sensors, ensuring reliable measurements while enabling frequent or continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If existing blood pump parameters are used for pressure estimation, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidpressure estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces pressure head and pressure loss as intermediary calculated parameters that bridge the gap between simple pump operation data and accurate mean arterial pressure measurement, achieving precision without adding complex hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical pressure sensing with an electrical/computational approach using existing sensor data and mathematical calculations, achieving accurate pressure estimation while minimizing device complexity

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

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

Enables regular and continuous monitoring of mean arterial pressure, reducing the risk of high blood pressure conditions and improving patient safety by providing accurate and timely data without the need for clinical intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a stator incorporating a plurality of coils for applying a rotating magnetic field on the rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotating magnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The blood flow rate is determined based on back electromotive force (BEMF) in one or more of the plurality of coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBack electromotive force: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3226928B1Mean arterial pressure estimation
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 HEARTWARE INC
  • EP3226928B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3226928B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3226928B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides for a method (600) of monitoring the mean arterial pressure of a patient having a blood pump (101). The method may involve identifying a segment of time associated with diastole of the patient's cardiac cycle (604), determining a first parameter of the blood pump corresponding to the identified segment of time (606, 608), and estimating the mean arterial pressure of the patient based at least in part on the first parameter (610).