Counterpulsation Drive Pressure Feedback for Heartbeat Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing counterpulsation devices struggle to synchronize their pumping action with the heart's cycle accurately, leading to inefficiencies in blood flow and increased heart workload.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that adjust the pressure supplied to the counterpulsation device (CPD) drive line based on heart beat signals, analyzing drive line pressure signals to determine full fill or empty conditions, and adjusting the pressure to optimize filling and emptying timing relative to the heart cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the CPD uses fixed pressure control for filling and emptying, then the device structure is simple, but the synchronization with heart cycle is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the controller continuously monitors the drive line pressure signal and adjusts the pressure supplied to the CPD based on the detected heartbeat signal. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables accurate synchronization of CPD filling and emptying with the heart cycle phases, resolving the contradiction between synchronization accuracy and system complexity by making the pressure control adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static fixed pressure control to dynamic pressure adjustment by varying the pressure supplied to the CPD drive line in real-time based on the heart cycle phase. The controller dynamically modifies pressure parameters to optimize filling during relaxation and emptying during contraction, thereby achieving accurate synchronization without requiring overly complex predetermined timing mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the CPD fills too quickly, then the filling efficiency is high, but the heart workload increases during relaxation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter dynamically during the filling phase by supplying optimized pressure levels to the drive line based on the heartbeat signal detection. This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve efficient filling while controlling the rate of blood flow into the CPD, thereby reducing the harmful effect of excessive heart workload during relaxation without sacrificing filling efficiency.
3Productivity
If the CPD empties too quickly, then the emptying efficiency is high, but the blood flow to heart decreases during contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pressure parameter during the emptying phase by controlling the pressure supplied to the drive line based on detected heartbeat signals. This dynamic parameter change enables the system to achieve efficient emptying of the CPD while maintaining adequate blood flow to the heart during contraction, resolving the contradiction between emptying efficiency and blood flow quantity through real-time pressure optimization.
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
Improves the synchronization of the CPD with the heart's cycle, enhancing blood flow during heart relaxation and reducing heart workload during contraction, thus optimizing the counterpulsation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing the drive line pressure signal to determine a full fill or full empty condition of the CPD
Implementation Method 2
detecting a feature in the drive line pressure signal indicative of the membrane reaching a substantially stationary end position
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.