Heart Pump Control Device Using End-Diastolic Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart pump control systems are sensitive to pressure sensor drift and do not effectively mimic physiological control mechanisms, leading to inadequate blood supply during physical activity and potential overloading of the heart.
Innovation Solution
A control device for heart pumps that measures end-diastolic filling pressure and associates pump speed or delivery rate with this pressure, using a pressure sensor and correction for atmospheric pressure, allowing for variable target pressure settings based on physiological conditions, and incorporating a proportional controller to adjust pump operation dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure sensor is used to control heart pump speed, then the pump can be controlled to maintain ventricular pressure, but the system becomes sensitive to sensor drift leading to inaccurate control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that measures both absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure, then uses their difference to calculate ventricular pressure. This mediator approach (using differential pressure measurement) isolates the control system from atmospheric pressure variations and reduces the impact of sensor drift on control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring ventricular pressure and adjusting pump speed accordingly. The controller compares measured pressure with target pressure and dynamically adjusts pump operation to maintain pressure within desired ranges, compensating for sensor drift through continuous correction.
2Productivity
If pump speed is kept constant to ensure continuous blood flow, then blood supply is maintained at baseline levels, but blood supply becomes inadequate during physical activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from constant speed operation to dynamic speed control based on real-time pressure measurements. The pump speed is continuously adjusted according to ventricular pressure levels, allowing the system to adapt to changing physiological demands during physical activity while maintaining adequate blood supply at rest.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pressure sensors to dynamically adjust pump speed. When physical activity increases venous return and raises ventricular pressure, the controller reduces pump speed to prevent overloading. During rest, the pump operates at higher speeds to maintain baseline blood flow, achieving adaptability to physiological conditions.
3Productivity
If pump speed is increased to improve blood supply during activity, then blood flow increases, but the heart becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the pump speed is continuously adjusted based on real-time ventricular pressure measurements. When pressure rises indicating adequate blood flow or heart overload risk, the controller reduces pump speed. This prevents heart overload while maintaining adequate blood supply during physical activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by monitoring ventricular pressure and reducing pump speed before actual heart overload occurs. The feedback mechanism detects rising pressure trends and adjusts pump operation proactively to prevent harmful effects rather than reacting after damage occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a heart pump, comprising a device for establishing the end-diastolic filling pressure in a ventricle and a device for associating a delivery rate of the pump, in particular a pump speed or an electric pump capacity, with the established end-diastolic filling pressure. By taking into account the end-diastolic filling pressure, a robust operating option of the heart pump, similar to the physio-logical control, is created.