CPR Assistance System Venous Return Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines do not account for individual patient-specific optimal compression frequency, leading to suboptimal blood flow and circulation, as they are based on group statistics rather than physiological considerations.

Innovation Solution

A CPR assistance system that uses sensors to measure physiological parameters, such as blood flow or pressure, to determine the exact time of venous return completion, allowing for processor-driven optimization of CPR compression timing to ensure maximum venous return and sustained circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If CPR compression frequency is set to 100 cpm based on group statistics, then general CPR guidelines are followed, but individual patient-specific optimal compression frequency is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual patient-specific optimizationVSAvoidphysiological monitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors venous return using physiological sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust compression timing. The processor analyzes real-time venous return signals and provides feedback guidance to optimize the timing of chest compressions, ensuring they occur just after venous return completion for maximum effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the patient's own physiological signals (venous return) to determine optimal compression timing, rather than relying on external guidelines. The venous return signal itself serves as the trigger mechanism for compression timing, making the system self-regulating and automatically adapted to individual patient needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If compression frequency is increased to generate sufficient blood flow, then cardiac output is improved, but venous return completion is not allowed to finish causing blood volume shift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow generationVSAvoidsustained circulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of venous return completion using physiological sensors before initiating the next chest compression. By detecting when venous return has finished in advance, the system ensures that compressions are timed to occur just after blood has returned to the heart, preventing blood volume shifts and ensuring sustained circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical timing methods (metronomes, counters) with physiological signal-based timing. Instead of using fixed mechanical rhythms, the compression timing is determined by actual venous return signals detected through physiological sensors, substituting mechanical control with biologically-driven control for more reliable circulation.

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

3Ease of operation

If fixed compression timing is used according to guidelines, then ease of operation is maintained, but optimal patient-specific timing is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCPR performanceVSAvoidvenous return timing detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the simple compression action and the complex physiological optimization. The processor acts as an intermediary that automatically analyzes venous return signals and generates timing guidance, freeing caregivers from complex manual timing while still achieving precise physiological optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This system enables personalized CPR frequency adjustment, maximizing blood flow and increasing survival chances by ensuring that chest compressions are administered at the optimal time relative to venous return, thereby minimizing blood volume shifts and promoting effective long-term circulation.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor for making a physiological measurement to generate a sensor signal which conveys information concerning the point in time at which venous return is completed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBlood flow detection:

Implementation Method 2

the sensor comprises a pressure sensor for measuring the (right atrial) blood pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a plethysmographic (volume, PG) sensor... implemented by use of photoplethysmography (PPG)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoplethysmography:

Implementation Method 4

a processor for processing the sensor signal to determine time points at which CPR compression cycles should be administered based on the point in time at which venous return is completed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal processing:

Implementation Method 5

an output device providing output information relating to the determined time points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInformation output:

Data Source

PatentEP3223681B1CPR assistance system and CPR monitoring method
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3223681B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3223681B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3223681B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A CPR assistance system comprises a sensor for making a physiological measurement to generate a sensor signal which conveys information concerning the point in time at which venous return is completed. Time points are then determined at which CPR compression cycles should be administered, and output information is provided relating to the determined time points. The output information may be visual or audible advice to a person giving CPR or it may be control information for controlling an automated CPR system.