Pulsatile Fluid Pump Linear Motor Waveform Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pulsatile fluid pumps, particularly those designed for blood pumping, struggle to replicate the natural hemodynamic energy and waveform architecture of the human heart, leading to inefficient blood flow and potential damage to the arterial tree.

Innovation Solution

A pulsatile fluid pump system featuring a reciprocating linear motor actuated by a magnet and coil, controlled by a waveform program that adjusts the electrical waveform in real-time based on user-specifiable parameters and sensor outputs, to mimic the natural stroke volume and beat rate of the human heart.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pulsatile fluid pump uses a linear motor with adjustable waveform control to replicate natural heart function, then hemodynamic energy delivery and blood flow efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for sophisticated waveform programming and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehemodynamic energy deliveryVSAvoidwaveform control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the electrical waveform parameters (amplitude, frequency, shape) in real-time to replicate the natural heart's hemodynamic energy delivery. The controller system modifies the waveform characteristics based on physiological requirements, enabling the pump to adapt its performance continuously rather than operating at fixed parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes multiple electrical waveform parameters simultaneously (amplitude, frequency, shape) to achieve natural heart-like pumping action. By modifying these parameters through programmed control, the system replicates the complex hemodynamic energy patterns of the human heart, transforming the pump from a simple mechanical device to a physiologically adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the pump system incorporates real-time waveform modification based on sensor feedback, then blood flow efficiency and patient safety are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensor feedback mechanisms that monitor blood flow characteristics and other physiological parameters in real-time. This feedback is processed by the controller system, which automatically adjusts the waveform parameters to optimize blood flow efficiency and ensure patient safety, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing physiological conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller system serves multiple functions: it generates the electrical waveform, modifies waveform parameters in real-time, processes sensor feedback, and ensures safe operation. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated control unit, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the pump uses a flexible membrane actuated by a linear motor, then pulsatile fluid flow is achieved, but the ability to replicate natural heart waveform architecture is insufficient without sophisticated control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulsatile flow generationVSAvoidwaveform architecture replication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic electrical waveforms that are delivered to the linear motor at frequencies and patterns that replicate the natural heart's pumping rhythm. By using periodic rather than continuous or random actuation, the system creates consistent pulsatile flow patterns that mimic physiological conditions, ensuring reliable replication of heart waveform architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller system is pre-programmed with waveform patterns that replicate natural heart function. These preliminary waveform designs are based on physiological data and are prepared in advance, allowing the pump to immediately produce accurate heart-like pumping action when activated without requiring real-time calculation or adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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 system effectively delivers physiological hemodynamic energy, allowing for natural relaxation of the arterial tree and reducing stress on endothelial cells, thereby improving blood flow efficiency and patient safety.

Implementation Method 1

a reciprocating linear motor having a magnet and a coil, the magnet moving in relation to the coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4297842B1System for driving a pulsatile fluid pump
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 VENTRIFLO INC
  • EP4297842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4297842B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4297842B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pulsatile fluid pump system for driving a fluid pump assembly includes a reciprocating linear motor having a magnet and a coil, the magnet moving in relation to the coil, the coil having an electrical input. The pulsatile fluid pump system further includes a controller system having an electrical output coupled to the electrical input of the coil, and the controller system is configured to execute a waveform program defining an electrical waveform at the electrical output. The waveform program is configured to control operation of the linear motor by modification of a feature, selected from the group consisting of amplitude, frequency, shape, and combinations thereof, of the electrical waveform at the electrical output. The waveform program is further configured to accept a set of user-specifiable parameters defining the performance of the linear motor and to modify the electrical waveform in response to such parameters.