Piezoelectric Vibration Sensing for Blood Pump Thrombus Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting adverse events in implantable blood pumps, such as thrombus accumulation, rely on external controllers correlating pump current or voltage feedback, which may not accurately or timely detect changes in pump performance.

Innovation Solution

A controller with integrated processing circuitry and a piezoelectric element, coupled to the driveline of the implantable blood pump, senses vibrations to determine the presence or absence of thrombus and generates alerts or adjusts pump speed accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external controllers are used to extrapolate adverse events by correlating pump current or voltage feedback, then the system can monitor pump operation, but the detection accuracy and timeliness of adverse events such as thrombus or suction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of adverse eventsVSAvoidtimeliness of adverse event detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical measurement system (current/voltage feedback) with a mechanical sensing system (piezoelectric element detecting vibrations). The piezoelectric element directly senses mechanical vibrations from the driveline caused by thrombus or suction events, providing more accurate and timely detection compared to indirect electrical correlations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The piezoelectric element acts as an intermediary between the mechanical events (thrombus/suction) and the control system. It converts mechanical vibrations into electrical signals that can be processed by the controller, enabling direct detection of adverse events rather than relying on extrapolation from pump electrical parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a piezoelectric element is integrated into the controller to sense vibrations, then real-time detection of thrombus is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time detection capabilityVSAvoidcontroller structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the piezoelectric element directly into the controller housing, combining the sensing function with the control unit. This integration approach reduces the need for separate sensing components and wiring, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving real-time detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates the implantable blood pump, processes pump feedback signals, and detects vibrations through the integrated piezoelectric element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 real-time detection and response to thrombus or suction events, improving the accuracy and timeliness of adverse event detection and reducing potential harm to the patient.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric element in communication with the implantable blood pump... the piezoelectric element is configured to sense vibrations from the driveline

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11617877B2Detecting pump suction, pump thrombus, and other adverse VAD motor events

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

A controller for an implantable blood pump including processing circuitry configured to operate the implantable blood pump and a piezoelectric element in communication with the implantable blood pump.