Heart Pump Position Estimation From Motor Current After Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heart pump systems face issues with sensor failures, leading to the loss of valuable measurements such as flow estimation, position monitoring, and suction alarms, prompting unnecessary removal and replacement, which increases patient risk and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method to estimate the position of a heart pump using a relationship between motor current and differential pressure signals, allowing the system to determine time-varying differential pressure even when the pressure sensor fails, by correlating motor current data with previously established relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to measure heart pump parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sensor failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a mathematical model that copies the functional relationship between motor current and differential pressure. Instead of relying on the physical pressure sensor, the system uses motor current data to generate a virtual copy of the differential pressure signal through established correlations, thereby maintaining measurement capability without the reliability issues of physical sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical pressure sensing system with an electrical/electronic calculation system. By substituting the physical differential pressure sensor with a computational model that processes motor current signals, the system eliminates the mechanical failure points while preserving the essential measurement function
2Reliability
If the heart pump system is removed and replaced due to sensor failure, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases and patient risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes mathematical correlations between motor current and differential pressure during normal operation before sensor failure occurs. This preliminary modeling creates a backup measurement pathway that can be activated immediately upon sensor failure, eliminating the need for time-consuming pump removal and replacement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares alternative measurement methods in advance by developing the motor current-based estimation model. This cushioning approach ensures that if the primary pressure sensor fails, the system already has a validated alternative method ready, preventing the need for invasive intervention and reducing patient risk
3Reliability
If the heart pump system is removed and replaced due to sensor failure, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual pressure signal through mathematical modeling that copies the functionality of the physical pressure sensor. This allows the heart pump system to continue operating with full monitoring capability despite sensor failure, eliminating the need to discard and replace the expensive pump device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the heart pump system to self-diagnose and self-correct for sensor failures by using its own motor current data to estimate differential pressure. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain reliability without external intervention or replacement, reducing waste and cost
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided herein for estimating a position of a heart pump system in a patient. The system receives first data indicative of a time-varying motor current during a first time period. The motor current corresponds to an amount of current delivered to a motor, while the heart pump system is operating in the patient. The system receives second data indicative of a time-varying differential pressure during the first time period. The differential pressure is indicative of a position of the heart pump system relative to patient's heart. The system receives third data indicative of time-varying motor current during a second time period, and determines an estimate of differential pressure during the second period of time from the third data and a relationship between the first data and the second data. The estimate is usable to predict the position of the heart pump system in the patient.