Pulmonary Artery Catheter Pressure Layout for Continuous Cardiac Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring cardiac output are not capable of providing continuous, minimally invasive measurements, and traditional thermodilution techniques can cause complications due to the introduction of injectate and are affected by valvular motion in the heart.

Innovation Solution

A multi-lumen catheter with a pressure-reading port positioned in the right ventricle, away from valvular interference, and without a thermal filament, allowing for continuous cardiac output monitoring through simultaneous pressure measurements in the pulmonary artery and right ventricle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional thermodilution methods are used to measure cardiac output, then cardiac output measurement is achieved, but complications arise due to introduction of injectate and interference from valvular motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac output measurementVSAvoidcomplications from injectate introduction and valvular motion interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the thermal filament component from the catheter design, eliminating the need for thermodilution-based measurements. This extraction approach removes the source of complications associated with injectate introduction while preserving the ability to measure cardiac output through alternative pressure-based methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal-based measurement system (thermodilution with thermal filament) with a purely mechanical pressure measurement system. By using pressure sensors to detect pressure waveforms and deriving cardiac output from these mechanical measurements, the system eliminates complications related to thermal injectate introduction and valvular motion interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If continuous cardiac output monitoring is implemented, then uninterrupted hemodynamic data is obtained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcatheter structure and measurement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the catheter with multiple pressure sensors that can simultaneously measure pressures at different locations (right ventricle, pulmonary artery, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure). This multi-functional pressure measurement capability enables continuous cardiac output monitoring while using a single integrated catheter device, avoiding the need for multiple separate devices and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter incorporates all necessary measurement capabilities directly into its structure, with pressure sensors positioned at specific locations to automatically capture the required pressure waveforms. The device serves itself by providing continuous monitoring without requiring external therapeutic interventions or additional components, thereby reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a pressure port is positioned in the right ventricle for accurate pressure measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the port may be affected by valvular motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveright ventricular pressure measurementVSAvoidpressure reading stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the right ventricular pressure port at a specific location within the right ventricle that is optimized for measurement accuracy. By carefully selecting the local position of the port, the system achieves accurate pressure readings while minimizing interference from valvular motion, as the port is placed in a region where valvular effects are reduced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables continuous, accurate cardiac output monitoring without thermodilution, reducing complications and costs, while maintaining catheter flexibility and diameter, and providing uninterrupted pressure readings.

Implementation Method 1

utilization of a right-side pressure sensor to generate an arterial waveform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20260013733A1Systems and methods for continuous cardiac output monitoring

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods provide measurements of continuous cardiac output (CCO). A pulmonary artery (PA) catheter—for example, a Swan-Ganz catheter—can be utilized to obtain multiple pressure measurements simultaneously from different locations within the circulatory system, such as in a pulmonary artery, right atrium, right ventricle, vena cava, etc. Continuous pressure measurements from multiple points can provide estimates of heart rate and stroke volume allowing computation of cardiac output along with each beat of the heart without the need for thermodilution.