Electrode Patch Assembly for Intravascular Pump Volume Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intravascular blood pumps lack the capability for real-time ventricular volume measurements, which are crucial for assessing cardiac performance and unloading, often requiring dedicated conductance or admittance catheters.

Innovation Solution

An electrode assembly patch is attached to the intravascular blood pump, featuring multiple electrodes and stabilizing tabs, allowing for conductance and admittance measurements without the need for additional catheters, maintaining proper electrode alignment and separation, and being flexible and low-profile for minimal impact on the pump's functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated conductance or admittance catheters are used for ventricular volume measurements, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and procedural invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventricular volume measurement capabilityVSAvoidnumber of catheters required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple electrode tabs (first, second, third, and fourth electrode tabs) onto a single intravascular blood pump device, enabling conductance and admittance measurements to be performed without requiring separate dedicated catheters. This integration merges the measurement functionality into the existing pump structure, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intravascular blood pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides blood pumping capability while simultaneously enabling ventricular volume measurements through integrated electrode tabs. The device serves as both a therapeutic pump and a diagnostic measurement tool, eliminating the need for additional specialized catheters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electrode tabs are integrated onto the intravascular device, then measurement functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductance and admittance measurement capabilityVSAvoidelectrode assembly fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode assembly is divided into distinct electrode tabs (first, second, third, and fourth electrode tabs) that are spaced apart along the intravascular device. Each tab serves a specific measurement function (current provision or voltage measurement), allowing for modular manufacturing and assembly while maintaining overall measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A non-conductive strip serves as an intermediary structure that supports and spaces the multiple electrode tabs. This mediator element simplifies manufacturing by providing a pre-formed substrate onto which electrodes can be attached, ensuring proper spacing and alignment without complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If electrode tabs are spaced apart to maintain proper alignment, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device profile increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode alignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode tabs are attached to a flexible non-conductive strip that can be conformally wrapped around the intravascular device. This flexible substrate allows electrode tabs to be spaced at precise intervals for accurate measurements while maintaining a compact, low-profile configuration that does not significantly increase the overall device dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 real-time ventricular volume measurements, generating pressure-volume loops for evaluating cardiac performance and unloading, enhancing the functionality of intravascular blood pumps without altering their profile or functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a first electrode tab extending outwardly and away from the strip, the first electrode tab configured to provide a current to an ambient fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a second electrode tab spaced from the first electrode tab, the second electrode tab extending outwardly and away from the strip, the second electrode tab configured to measure voltage in the ambient fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage measurement: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250360302A1Electrode assembly patch for conductance and admittance measurements

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ABIOMED EUROPE GMBH

AI summary

Electrode assembly patches configured for conductance and admittance measurements, and methods of manufacturing same. The present technology provides designs and manufacturing methods that may enable a conductance or admittance electrode assembly patches to be flexible, low-profile, and easily applied to an intravascular blood pump or other device, such that there may be little or no change to the device's overall diameter, profile, and functionality.