Flexible Electrode Assembly Patches for Intravascular 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 electrode alignment and spacing, and being flexible and low-profile for easy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated conductance or admittance catheters are used for ventricular volume measurements, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and procedural invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conductance/admittance measurement electrodes directly into the intravascular blood pump device structure. Specifically, electrode tabs are integrated onto the pump housing or cannula, allowing the blood pump to simultaneously perform its pumping function and conduct ventricular volume measurements without requiring separate dedicated catheters. This merging eliminates the need for additional measurement devices while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intravascular blood pump is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a blood pumping device and a measurement device for ventricular volume assessment. The electrode assembly integrated into the pump enables the single device to perform both therapeutic (blood pumping) and diagnostic (volume measurement) functions, reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrode tabs are used for conductance measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but maintaining proper alignment and spacing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate or film structure to which multiple electrode tabs are attached. This flexible carrier allows the electrode tabs to be positioned at precise intervals during manufacturing, while the flexibility enables the assembly to conform to the curved surface of the intravascular pump without compromising electrode spacing or alignment. The flexible substrate maintains geometric relationships between electrodes while adapting to the device geometry.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an electrode assembly patch is added to the intravascular device, then measurement functionality is enhanced, but device profile and application complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is designed as a separate, modular patch or module that can be attached to the intravascular blood pump device. This segmentation allows the measurement functionality to be added as an independent component rather than integrating electrodes directly into the pump manufacturing process. The modular patch can be pre-assembled with electrodes on a flexible substrate and then attached to the pump device, simplifying both manufacturing and application.
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, facilitating cardiac performance assessment and unloading evaluation, enhancing the functionality of intravascular blood pumps by providing continuous measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode tab configured to provide a current to an ambient fluid; and a fourth electrode tab configured to provide a current to the ambient fluid
Implementation Method 2
a second electrode tab configured to measure voltage in the ambient fluid; and a third electrode tab configured to measure voltage in the ambient fluid
Data Source
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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.