Implantable Blood Pump Control Using Current-Only Position Estimation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LVADs are bulky, difficult to implant, apply significant shear forces to blood, risk hemolysis and thrombus formation, and fail to mimic physiological pulsatility, leading to inefficiencies and potential vessel calcification.

Innovation Solution

An implantable blood pump with an undulating membrane driven by an actuator powered by alternating current, controlled by a controller that adjusts frequency and amplitude to synchronize with heartbeats, reducing shear forces and improving hydraulic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional reciprocating or rotary pumps are used, then blood flow can be generated, but significant shear forces are applied to blood causing hemolysis and platelet activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow generationVSAvoidshear forces on blood

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a vibrating membrane pump mechanism where a flexible membrane is vibrated at high frequency to propel blood through the pump housing. This vibration-based approach generates blood flow while minimizing shear forces compared to traditional reciprocating or rotary pumps, thereby reducing hemolysis and platelet activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive systems (reciprocating pistons or rotary impellers) with an electromagnetic actuation system that drives the vibrating membrane. This substitution allows for more controlled and gentle blood handling while maintaining effective blood flow generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional LVAD designs are used, then blood pumping function is achieved, but device complexity and implantation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pumping functionVSAvoidimplantation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump device is divided into distinct functional modules: a pump housing, a flexible membrane assembly, an electromagnetic actuator, and cannulae. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and easier implantation while maintaining effective blood pumping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible membrane as the core pumping element, which simplifies the overall device structure compared to rigid reciprocating or rotary mechanisms. The flexible membrane can be easily integrated into the pump housing and actuated by the electromagnetic system, reducing device complexity and improving implantability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If continuous flow is maintained, then adequate blood supply is ensured, but physiological pulsatility is not mimicked leading to vessel calcification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood supply continuityVSAvoidvessel calcification risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibrating membrane pump operates at high frequency, creating periodic pulses of blood flow that mimic physiological cardiac pulsatility. This periodic action ensures adequate blood supply while preventing vessel calcification by maintaining natural flow patterns, eliminating the need for additional pulsation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

The pump achieves efficient blood flow with low hemolysis and platelet activation, mimicking physiological pulsatility, and operates efficiently over a wide range of flow rates without requiring motion sensors.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator having a stationary component and a moving component coupled to the deformable membrane. The actuator is powered by an alternating current that causes the moving component to reciprocate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20260048254A1Systems and methods for controlling an implantable blood pump

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 CORWAVE SA

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling an implantable pump are provided. For example, the exemplary controller for controlling the implantable pump may only rely on the actuator's current measurement. The controller is robust to pressure and flow changes inside the pump head, and allows fast change of pump's operation point. For example, the controller includes, a two stage, nonlinear position observer module based on a reduced order model of the electromagnetic actuator. The controller includes an algorithm that estimates the position of the moving component of the implantable pump based on the actuator's current measurement and adjusts operation of the pump accordingly. Alternatively, the controller may rely on position measurements and/or velocity estimations.