Heart Pump Motor-Current Sensing for Adaptive Cardiac Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac assist devices lack the ability to provide quantifiable metrics for determining the level of cardiac support required by a patient, as they do not directly measure cardiac function, leading to inadequate support adjustments and prolonged device usage.
Innovation Solution
A heart pump system that includes a catheter, motor, rotor, and sensor to continuously monitor hemodynamic parameters and motor parameters, using a controller to determine cardiovascular metrics like LVEDP and cardiac cycle phases through hysteresis analysis, allowing for real-time adjustments to support levels based on heart function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cardiac assist devices are used to provide hemodynamic support, then patient survival and quality of life are improved, but the ability to quantify cardiac function and determine appropriate support levels is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors motor current and hemodynamic parameters, processes this data through algorithms to estimate cardiac function metrics, and uses these metrics to adjust the level of cardiac support provided by the device, creating a closed-loop feedback system that adapts to patient needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses motor current as an intermediary parameter that correlates with cardiac function. By measuring the electrical current consumed by the motor and processing it through algorithms, the system derives meaningful cardiac function metrics without requiring direct invasive measurements of cardiac parameters
2Ease of operation
If cardiac assist devices provide fixed level of support, then device operation is simplified, but patient-specific support requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed support to dynamic support by continuously adjusting the cardiac assist device output based on real-time processing of motor current and hemodynamic data, allowing the support level to adapt to changing patient conditions while maintaining automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the cardiac assist device based on processed motor current data and hemodynamic measurements, adjusting flow rate and pressure support to match patient-specific requirements while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If cardiac function is assessed using existing methods like aortic pressure, then measurement is simple, but accurate quantification of overall cardiac function is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses motor current as an intermediary measurement that is easy to obtain but contains encoded information about cardiac function. By processing this intermediary parameter through algorithms that incorporate hemodynamic data, the system achieves accurate cardiac function quantification without complex direct measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/invasive measurement systems with an electrical measurement approach, using motor current sensing and signal processing algorithms to infer cardiac function, thereby maintaining measurement simplicity while improving quantification accuracy
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 precise, continuous monitoring and adjustment of cardiac support to match patient needs, facilitating heart recovery and timely device weaning, while functioning as both a support and diagnostic tool.
Implementation Method 1
a motor, a rotor operatively coupled to the motor... actuating the motor drives the rotor and pumps blood
Implementation Method 2
determines a relationship between the detected hemodynamic parameter and the motor parameter... determines a time period in which an inflection point indicative of LVEDP can be found
Data Source
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AI summary
The systems, devices, and methods presented herein use a heart pump to obtain measurements of cardiovascular function. The heart pumps described herein can operate in parallel with and unload the heart. The system can quantify the functioning of the native heart by measuring certain parameters/signals such as pressure or motor current, then calculate and display one or more metrics of cardiovascular function. These metrics, such as left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular pressure, and contractility, provide valuable information to a user regarding a patient's state of heart function and recovery.