Impeller Blood Pump Pulsation Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing extracorporeal blood treatment devices, particularly in hemodialysis, face inefficiencies due to pulsating flow patterns caused by peristaltic pumps, which lead to noise interference and inefficient blood circulation, and lack synchronization with patient heartbeats, resulting in undesired fistula recirculation and reduced treatment efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An extracorporeal blood treatment device with an impeller blood pump controlled by a computing unit that adds a pulsating speed component to a constant speed, synchronized with patient pressure pulse waves, allowing for targeted pressure pulsation and minimized fistula recirculation by measuring and filtering pressure amplitude signals to regulate the pump's operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If peristaltic pumps are used to pump blood in extracorporeal circulation, then blood can be pumped through the circuit, but strong pressure pulses and pulsating flow rate are generated that mask other pressure signals as noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow rateVSAvoidpressure pulses and noise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the peristaltic pump's mechanical occlusion mechanism with a magnetic drive system that rotates an impeller within the blood circuit. The magnetic coupling transfers rotational motion from the drive shaft to the impeller without mechanical contact, eliminating the occlusion-induced pressure pulses while maintaining effective blood circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the drive mechanism and the impeller. The magnetic coupling allows power transmission without direct mechanical contact, enabling the impeller to rotate smoothly and generate flow without creating harmful pressure spikes associated with mechanical occlusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If impeller blood pump operates at constant speed, then stable blood flow is maintained, but fistula recirculation occurs and treatment efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow stabilityVSAvoidtreatment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic speed modulation of the impeller pump by superimposing a pulsating speed component on the constant base speed. This periodic variation in pump speed creates corresponding pressure variations that prevent fistula recirculation while maintaining overall flow stability, thereby improving treatment efficiency without sacrificing flow consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a static constant-speed operation to a dynamic speed control system. The control unit continuously adjusts the impeller speed based on detected pressure pulse waves, creating a dynamically adapted flow pattern that eliminates recirculation while preserving the stability needed for effective dialysis treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If pump speed is pulsated to create pressure pulsation, then fistula recirculation is minimized, but the average flow rate may deviate from specified flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidflow rate accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where pressure pulse waves detected in the blood circuit are used to dynamically adjust the impeller speed. The control unit processes these pressure signals and modulates the pump speed in real-time, ensuring that the pulsations needed to prevent recirculation do not cause significant deviations from the target average flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the impeller pump by varying its rotational speed around a constant mean value. By carefully controlling the amplitude and frequency of speed variations, the system achieves pressure pulsations sufficient to prevent fistula recirculation while maintaining the average flow rate within acceptable tolerances of the specified flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach ensures a pulsatile blood flow synchronized with the patient's heartbeat, maintaining a consistent mean flow rate while reducing fistula recirculation and enhancing treatment efficiency by directly using pressure pulse waves for pump modulation.

Implementation Method 1

the impeller blood pump is operated in a pulsating manner by adding a pulsating rotational speed component to a first constant rotational speed... allowing for targeted pressure pulsation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure pulsation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

measuring at least one first course of the pressure amplitude at at least one pressure measuring point of the extracorporeal blood circuit and extracting the course of at least one pressure pulse wave caused by cardiac contraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 3

the pulsating operation of the impeller blood pump is synchronized with the course of the pressure pulse waves caused by cardiac contraction in the patient's extracorporeal blood circulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSynchronization: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3284490B1Extracorporeal blood treatment device
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3284490B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3284490B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for operating an extracorporeal blood treatment device with an extracorporeal blood circuit for hemodialysis and/or hemofiltration and/or hemodiafiltration by controlling an impeller blood pump. It is provided that the impeller blood pump is operated in a pulsating manner by adding a pulsating rotational component to a first constant rotational speed.