Occlusion Balloon Pressure Control for Partial Aortic Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vascular occlusion catheters face challenges in controlling blood flow past the occlusion balloon due to the dynamic nature of the patient's circulatory system, difficulty in measuring bypassed blood flow, and lack of real-time adjustment capabilities during partial resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (P-REBOA) procedures.
Innovation Solution
A control system for an occlusion catheter with a fluid reservoir, pressure sensor, and pump, controlled by a controller that adjusts the occlusion balloon size based on real-time physiological data to maintain partial occlusion within a target range, providing alerts for leaks or pressure deviations, and allowing manual or autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If full occlusion of the aorta is performed to focus blood flow to upstream organs, then blood flow to brain, heart and lungs is improved, but blood flow to downstream organs (liver, digestive tract, kidneys, legs) is reduced causing ischemia risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial occlusion instead of full occlusion by controlling the occlusion balloon to occupy only a portion of the aortic lumen rather than completely blocking it. This allows selective reduction of blood flow to prioritize upstream organs while maintaining sufficient flow to downstream organs to prevent ischemia, directly resolving the contradiction between improving upstream perfusion and avoiding downstream ischemia
2Ease of operation
If manual control of occlusion balloon is used to adjust partial occlusion, then flexibility in adjustment is improved, but real-time response to patient dynamics is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where pressure sensors continuously monitor blood pressure upstream and downstream of the occlusion balloon, and the controller automatically adjusts the occlusion balloon inflation level in real-time based on these measurements to maintain target pressure ranges, eliminating the delay inherent in manual adjustment while preserving control flexibility through programmable parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of the occlusion level by automatically processing pressure sensor data and controlling pump operation without requiring continuous manual intervention, allowing the system to respond autonomously to patient physiological changes while maintaining the ability for manual override when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous control mode is activated for real-time adjustment, then response to patient dynamics is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions including autonomous pressure regulation, leak detection, alarm generation, and manual mode management within a single integrated device, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities provided by autonomous control
4Reliability
If continuous monitoring of blood pressure is implemented to maintain target range, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the monitoring and control functions into a single integrated system where pressure sensors, controllers, and occlusion balloon adjustment mechanisms work as one unified system, eliminating the need for separate monitoring equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous safety monitoring
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 system effectively maintains partial occlusion and perfusion to patient organs, adjusts to patient dynamics, and provides alerts for medical personnel, enhancing the safety and efficacy of P-REBOA procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid connector has a pressure sensor integrated therein... receive data from the pressure sensor of the fluid connector, the data being indicative of a pressure within the occlusion balloon
Implementation Method 2
A pump is configured to move the fluid between the fluid reservoir and the occlusion balloon via the fluid connector
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for an occlusion catheter having a balloon includes a fluid reservoir containing a fluid and a fluid connector connectable to the reservoir and to the catheter to provide fluid communication therebetween. The fluid connector has a pressure sensor integrated therein. A pump is configured to move the fluid between the reservoir and the balloon via the fluid connector. A controller is in electrical communication with the pump and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to: (i) receive data from the pressure sensor, the data being indicative of a pressure within the balloon, and (ii) in an autonomous mode of operation, control the pump to alter a size of the balloon by driving fluid from the reservoir toward the balloon or withdrawing fluid from the balloon, the control of the pump being based, at least in part, on the data from the pressure sensor.