Implantable Heart Pump Controller Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) suffer from driveline-associated infections, nonphysiologic pulseless blood flow, and limitations in cardiac unloading, which lead to increased complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, vascular malformations, and aortic incompetence, highlighting the need for a system that mimics natural heart function and provides better control and feedback.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an implantable ventricular assist device with a controller synchronized to the cardiac cycle, capable of switching between pulsatile and continuous flow modes, and a remote communication interface using key-id authentication for secure data exchange, allowing for real-time adjustment of pump speed and flow based on physiological signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotary pumps with single moving part are used, then durability is improved, but pulseless continuous blood flow is produced which causes physiological complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a controller that modulates the rotary pump to produce pulsatile flow patterns. The controller varies the pump speed periodically to simulate natural cardiac cycles, creating systolic and diastolic phases. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the durability of rotary pumps while eliminating the harmful pulseless continuous flow through controlled periodic variations in pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static continuous-flow mode to a dynamic pulsatile-flow mode. The controller dynamically adjusts pump speed based on physiological parameters and predefined patterns, enabling the pump to adapt its flow characteristics. This allows the system to maintain mechanical simplicity and durability while generating physiologically appropriate pulsatile flow to prevent complications.
2Ease of operation
If transcutaneous driveline is used for power and control, then pump operation is enabled, but driveline-associated infections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the transcutaneous driveline from the system. Instead of conducting power and control signals through a skin-penetrating driveline, the invention uses transcutaneous energy transfer (magnetic coupling) for power delivery and implantable wireless communication for control signals. This extracts the infection source while preserving pump operation capability through alternative energy and data transmission methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical driveline system with non-mechanical energy and control transmission methods. The mechanical connection that enabled power and control is substituted with magnetic coupling for power transfer and wireless telemetry for control communication. This substitution eliminates the physical breach in skin integrity while maintaining full pump operational capability.
3Device complexity
If continuous flow mode is used, then pump simplicity is maintained, but cardiac unloading is limited and myocardial recovery is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the pump to transition between continuous-flow and pulsatile-flow modes based on therapeutic needs. The controller provides dynamic control over flow characteristics, allowing optimization of cardiac unloading while maintaining the underlying simplicity of the rotary pump mechanism. This adaptability enables myocardial recovery support through reduced preload and afterload during pulsatile operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single rotary pump system that can perform multiple functions: continuous-flow mode for general circulatory support and pulsatile-flow mode for optimized cardiac unloading and myocardial recovery. The controller enables the same hardware to adapt to different therapeutic requirements, eliminating the need for separate pump designs while expanding functional capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for control of and communication with ventricular assist devices. In certain embodiments, the invention includes an implantable controller that is operatively programmed to direct physiological flow through a ventricular assist device that can be substantially synchronized to the cardiac cycle of the subject. In certain embodiments, the implantable controller is also communicatively connected to an external control unit, such that the implantable controller can transmit data to the external control unit, and instructions can be sent from the external control unit to the implantable controller. In certain embodiments, a system and method for secure communication between a remote device and the implanted ventricular assist device is provided.