Central Arterial Waveform Reconstruction via Windkessel Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-invasive methods for estimating central arterial pressure waveforms are inaccurate and lack patient-specificity, leading to inconsistent and unreliable clinical assessments, particularly in conditions where invasive measurements are risky or impractical.

Innovation Solution

A patient-specific reconstruction method using a distributed parameter model that integrates non-invasive pressure measurements with a lumped parameter model, specifically a modified Windkessel model, to accurately estimate central arterial pressure waveforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If non-invasive methods are used to estimate central arterial pressure waveforms, then patient safety is improved by avoiding invasive procedure risks, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracies in waveform reconstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisks associated with invasive proceduresVSAvoidaccuracy of central arterial pressure waveform estimation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a mathematical transfer function as an intermediary to transform peripheral pressure waveform data into central arterial pressure waveform estimates. This transfer function acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between easily obtainable peripheral measurements and the desired central pressure information, avoiding direct invasive measurement while maintaining accuracy through calibrated mathematical transformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by using patient-specific demographic and health data (age, gender, body height, fitness assessment, medication) to customize the transfer function parameters. This allows the system to adapt the general non-invasive measurement approach to individual patient characteristics, improving measurement precision while maintaining the safety benefits of non-invasive methodology

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If generic non-invasive estimation methods are used, then ease of operation is improved by simplifying the measurement process, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of patient-specificity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of measurement processVSAvoidconsistency and reliability of clinical assessments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating patient-specific demographic and health data into the transfer function to create customized estimates for each individual. Rather than applying a uniform generic method to all patients, the system tailors the estimation parameters to local patient characteristics, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the operational simplicity of non-invasive measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by gathering patient-specific demographic and health data before conducting the pressure waveform estimation. This preliminary data collection and processing enables the system to pre-customize the transfer function parameters for each patient, ensuring that the subsequent measurement process remains simple while producing precise, patient-specific results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4475746B1Reconstruction of a patient-specific central arterial pressure waveform morphology from a distal non-invasive pressure measurement
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 HEMOLENS DIAGNOSTICS SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA
  • EP4475746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4475746B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4475746B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, a computer-readable medium and a system for reconstruction of a patient-specific central aortic pressure waveform morphology using a non-invasive distal pressure measurement and a non-invasive recording of a distal pressure waveform are disclosed. Measurements of patient's systolic and diastolic pressures as well as patient's heart rate are made at a distal position, for example using the radial artery. The invention makes use of patient-specific demographic and health data, e.g., gender, age and/or current medication. The patient – specific central arterial pressure waveform morphology is calculated using a lumped-parameter multi-compartment model of the Windkessel type. The method does not assume structural rigidity of a transfer relationship, but it assumes an evolutionary law that provides the relationship between distal and proximal pressures. The invention provides values of a central arterial blood pressure and of a proximal flow rate which are useful in diagnosis of an elevated heart pressure or hypertension or both. The method has been validated using clinical trials. The method of the invention reproduced the values obtained using invasive methods from the clinical trials.