Implantable VAD Controller Using Accelerometer for Dynamic Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable blood pumps lack the ability to automatically adjust their speed in response to changes in body movement or activity level, leading to inefficient blood flow and power consumption, as the speed is typically set manually and rarely changed unless issues arise.
Innovation Solution
A controller with an accelerometer and processing circuitry that measures position and movement to adjust the pump speed by incremental amounts based on predetermined thresholds, maintaining a consistent average flow rate, and can be implanted within a patient to automatically adjust speed in response to changes in body position and activity level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump speed is set manually and maintained constant, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different body positions and activity levels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system performs self-adjustment of speed based on accelerometer measurements of body position and activity level. The processing circuitry automatically modifies pump operation without requiring manual intervention, allowing the device to serve itself in adapting to changing physiological conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses accelerometer data as feedback about the patient's body position and activity level to automatically adjust pump speed. The processing circuitry continuously monitors accelerometer measurements and modifies pump operation in response to detected changes in body position or activity, creating a closed-loop control system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pump speed is adjusted frequently to match activity level, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer serves multiple functions: it detects body position changes, measures activity level, and provides data for pump speed adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors for each measurement type, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts pump operation by changing the speed parameter in response to accelerometer measurements. By focusing control efforts on modifying a single key parameter (pump speed) based on accelerometer data, the control circuitry remains relatively simple while achieving effective adaptation to varying physiological conditions.
3Productivity
If the pump speed is increased to maintain flow during upright position, then the blood flow is maintained, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump speed is made dynamic rather than static, automatically adjusting to match the patient's activity level and body position. During low-activity periods or when supine, the pump operates at lower speeds reducing power consumption. During high-activity periods or upright positioning, the pump increases speed to maintain adequate blood flow, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy use.
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
This solution allows for dynamic adjustment of the blood pump speed to match the patient's activity level, optimizing blood flow and reducing power consumption by maintaining a consistent average flow rate while adapting to changes in body position, such as from supine to upright, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the pump.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to measure at least one from the group consisting of position and movement of the controller
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for an implantable blood pump, includes an accelerometer configured to measure at least one from the group consisting of position and movement of the controller. Processing circuitry is configured to control operation of the implantable blood pump, the processing circuitry being in communication with the accelerometer, the processing circuitry being configured to adjust a speed of the implantable blood pump if the measured at least one from the group consisting of position and movement deviates from a respective predetermined threshold.