Diaphragm Blood Pump Flow Sensing for Load Change Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump systems for ventricular assist devices face challenges in maintaining consistent blood flow due to load changes, leading to potential thrombus formation and insufficient patient supply, especially in mobile applications, where pressure fluctuations can cause incomplete filling or emptying of the diaphragm fluid pump.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of inlet and outlet flow sensors to detect flow changes and a control unit to adjust the working pump accordingly, ensuring precise control of flow rates, pressures, and pump cycles to maintain consistent blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a diaphragm fluid pump is used to pump blood, then the pump can be compact and suitable for mobile applications, but load changes cause pressure fluctuations that lead to incomplete filling or emptying of the diaphragm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback control by using flow sensors to detect actual blood flow and pressure sensors to monitor pressure changes. This information is fed back to the control unit, which adjusts the working pump's operation to compensate for load changes and ensure complete filling and emptying of the diaphragm, resolving the contradiction between compact pump design and reliable operation under varying loads
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes operating parameters such as the stroke volume and frequency of the working pump based on real-time feedback from sensors. By adjusting these parameters in response to detected load changes, the system maintains complete diaphragm filling and emptying while preserving the compact design benefits
2Productivity
If the working pump operates at high pressure to ensure complete emptying, then blood flow is maintained, but pressure fluctuations cause incomplete filling during load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism detects when the diaphragm is not completely filled by monitoring pressure and flow parameters. The control unit then adjusts the working pump's stroke volume or frequency to ensure complete filling, preventing the harmful effects of incomplete filling while maintaining adequate blood flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pump operating parameters during each pump cycle based on real-time feedback. The control unit can vary stroke volume, frequency, and pressure settings adaptively to maintain both complete filling and adequate blood flow under changing load conditions
3Reliability
If flow sensors and control units are added to compensate for load changes, then consistent blood flow is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-regulation through automated feedback control. The flow sensors and pressure sensors continuously monitor system state, and the control unit automatically adjusts the working pump without external intervention, enabling the system to compensate for load changes autonomously and maintain consistent blood flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical pump operation with an electronically controlled system. The control unit uses electronic signals to adjust pump parameters based on sensor feedback, substituting mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control to achieve more precise and reliable flow consistency
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 system effectively compensates for load changes, reducing the risk of thrombus formation and ensuring adequate patient supply by maintaining consistent flow rates and pressures, particularly beneficial for patients with heart failure and Fontan circulation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flow sensor for detecting flow changes
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm pump for pumping the fluid, having a pump chamber that can be divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
A pump system is provided for pumping a fluid and a method is provided for operating the pump system. The pump system comprises a first diaphragm fluid pump, a first inlet cannula connected to the first diaphragm fluid pump for supplying a fluid to the first diaphragm fluid pump, a first outlet cannula connected to the first diaphragm fluid pump for discharging the fluid out of the first diaphragm fluid pump, and a first service pump, which is connected via a first pressure line to the first diaphragm fluid pump and is confirmed to drive the first diaphragm fluid pump via the first pressure line. The pump system further comprises a first inlet flow sensor for detecting a first inlet flow of the fluid in the first inlet cannula and/or a first outlet flow sensor for detecting a first outlet flow of the fluid in the first outlet cannula.