Intra-aortic balloon deflation timing selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IABP systems face challenges in accurately adjusting IAB deflation timing, especially during cardiac arrhythmia, as manual settings are prone to deviations and fail to adapt to unpredictable cardiac cycle accelerations or decelerations, leading to potential hemodynamic inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus that dynamically evaluates the pre-ejection period and balloon deflation time to select the most appropriate deflation timing mode, either R-wave triggered or predictive, based on real-time cardiac conditions, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving therapy efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual deflation timing is set at a fixed point in the cardiac cycle, then the system is simple to operate, but the deflation time deviates from the desired time with every acceleration or deceleration of the cardiac cycle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual timing settingVSAvoiddeflation timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the actual cardiac cycle duration and compares it to the predicted cycle duration, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the deflation timing. The processor calculates the difference between actual and predicted R-R intervals and modifies the deflation trigger time accordingly, ensuring accurate timing despite heart rate variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The deflation timing system transitions from a static fixed-point setting to a dynamic adaptive system that automatically adjusts timing based on real-time cardiac cycle detection. The system continuously updates the deflation trigger time based on measured cardiac cycle variations, making the timing responsive to changing physiological conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If deflation time is manually adjusted frequently to maintain accuracy, then timing precision improves, but the complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeflation timing accuracyVSAvoidmanual adjustment frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic self-adjustment of deflation timing without requiring manual intervention. The processor continuously monitors cardiac cycle variations and autonomously modifies the deflation trigger time based on detected R-R interval changes, eliminating the need for frequent manual adjustments by clinicians.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses real-time feedback from cardiac cycle monitoring to automatically correct timing deviations. By continuously measuring actual R-R intervals and comparing them to predicted intervals, the system self-corrects timing errors without external intervention, maintaining precision while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If R wave deflation is used during cardiac arrhythmia, then the system adapts to unpredictable cardiac cycle changes, but the deflation timing may still be incorrect due to unpredictable accelerations or decelerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrhythmia adaptationVSAvoiddeflation timing correctness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the expected R-R interval based on the previous two cardiac cycles before triggering deflation. This predictive approach allows the system to anticipate the next R wave timing and set the deflation trigger accordingly, improving reliability during arrhythmia by preparing the correct timing in advance rather than reacting after the fact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its timing strategy by switching between different prediction models based on detected arrhythmia patterns. During normal sinus rhythm, it uses standard interval prediction, while during arrhythmia it employs adaptive algorithms that respond to unpredictable variations, maintaining reliability across different cardiac conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the system proactively evaluates and selects deflation mode based on multiple parameters, then therapy efficacy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy efficacyVSAvoidparameter evaluation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting R waves, measuring cardiac cycle intervals, predicting future intervals, comparing actual versus predicted values, and selecting appropriate deflation timing modes. This multi-functional approach consolidates complex operations into a single processing unit, improving therapy efficacy while managing device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1968666B1Methods and apparatus for selecting intra-aortic balloon deflation timing
Publication Date: 2013.02.13 ARROW INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP1968666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1968666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1968666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for selecting a deflation timing mode for an intra-aortic balloon (IAB) based on comparison of the time required to deflate the IAB and the time between the ECG R wave and systolic upstroke.