Test Bench Assembly Using Single Compliant Element for Cardiac Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test bench solutions for simulating cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology operations are bulky, complex, and costly, requiring highly qualified personnel for installation and operation, while also being difficult to transport and use for training purposes.
Innovation Solution
A test bench assembly that includes a passive heart, a reservoir, a pressure generator, and a pressure regulation device, which uses a single compliant element for each pair of cardiac chambers to provide preload and afterload pressures, and a kinetic stationary flow rate pump with a flow intercepting element to simulate the cardiac cycle without the need for electronic sensors or complex control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a system of four impedances and four respective containers is used to simulate afterload and preload pressures, then the physiological conditions are faithfully reproduced, but the test bench dimensions become large and it becomes difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple impedance simulation functions into a single integrated container. Instead of using four separate containers for the four cardiac chambers, the invention uses one container that can simulate the hydraulic impedances for all chambers, thereby reducing the overall test bench volume while maintaining physiological fidelity
Solution Approach 2:
The single container is designed to perform multiple functions: it simulates both afterload and preload pressures for multiple cardiac chambers simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated containers for each chamber, reducing the test bench footprint
2Reliability
If a system of four impedances and four respective containers is used to simulate afterload and preload pressures, then the physiological conditions are faithfully reproduced, but highly qualified personnel are required to manage the test bench
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control functions for multiple cardiac chambers into a single container system, reducing the number of independent management tasks. This consolidation simplifies the operational procedures and reduces the need for highly specialized personnel to manage each component separately
3Reliability
If pulsatile pumps and multiple hydraulic impedance systems are used, then the cardiac cycle is simulated, but the test bench becomes substantially impossible to put in operation without specialized technical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The single container system is designed to automatically regulate the hydraulic impedances and pressure conditions for multiple cardiac chambers without requiring external intervention or specialized personnel. The system self-adjusts to maintain physiological conditions, making it accessible to users without extensive technical training
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 solution allows for faithful reproduction of physiological cardiac conditions, reduces installation and operation costs, minimizes the number of components and size of the test bench, and facilitates the training of cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure generator (22), adapted to provide the pumping function to said passive heart (12) by pumping said working fluid (72)
Implementation Method 2
said pressure regulation device (24) comprises a single compliant element (26) for each pair of cardiac chambers (14, 16; 114, 116), which provides the working fluid (72) with both the preload and the afterload pressures
Implementation Method 3
a kinetic stationary flow rate pump (48), which cooperates with said flow intercepting element (28)
Data Source
AI summary
A test bench assembly (10) for the simulation of cardiac surgery and/or interventional cardiology operations and/or procedures, comprising a passive heart (12), wherein said passive heart (12) is an explanted or artificial or hybrid heart, said passive heart (12) having at least one pair of cardiac chambers (14, 16; 114, 116) comprising an atrial chamber (14; 114) and a ventricular chamber (16; 116); a reservoir (20), adapted to house the working fluid; a pressure generator (22), adapted to provide said passive heart (12) pumping said working fluid with the pumping function, said pressure generator (22) being fluidically connected both to said ventricular chamber (16) of said passive heart (12) and to said reservoir (20) by means of first fluid connection means; a pressure regulation device (24) which provides the working fluid in input to the atrial chamber (14) with the preload pressure, and the working fluid in output from the ventricular chamber (16) with the afterload pressure, said pressure regulation device (24) being fluidically connected both to said atrial chamber (14) of said passive heart (12) and to said ventricular chamber (16) of said passive heart (12) by means of second fluid connection means; wherein said pressure regulation device (24) comprises a single compliant element (26) for each pair of cardiac chambers (14, 16) which provides the working fluid with both the preload and the afterload pressures.