Ventricular Assist Device Software Update Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical circulatory support systems, such as ventricular assist devices (VADs), require invasive surgeries for software updates, which are costly and burdensome for patients and the healthcare system, and do not easily allow access to the latest technologies or features.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical circulatory support system that enables non-invasive or minimally invasive software updates for implantable blood pumps, using a controller to initiate and manage the update process, temporarily stop the rotor, and verify and store updates without erasing existing applications, allowing for seamless integration of new software without disrupting the pump's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates require ex-plantation of the VAD, then update reliability is improved, but patient discomfort and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the update process into distinct phases: download phase (pump running), verification phase (pump stopped), and implementation phase (pump restarted). This segmentation allows updates to be performed without complete ex-plantation, reducing patient discomfort while maintaining update reliability through controlled phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller downloads and verifies update software before stopping the pump rotor. This preliminary action ensures update validity is confirmed while the pump is still operational, and only requires a brief stop for final implementation, minimizing patient discomfort while ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If the rotor is stopped for software updates, then update safety is improved, but operational time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system stops the rotor only partially and temporarily (brief period during verification) rather than for extended periods. The pump operates normally during download and can be quickly restarted after verification, minimizing operational interruption while ensuring update safety through the brief controlled stop.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump maintains continuous operation during the download phase and is quickly restarted after verification. The brief stop for verification is the minimum necessary time to ensure safety, while the overall update process maintains continuity of the life-support function with minimal interruption.
3Device complexity
If existing applications are erased during updates, then storage efficiency is improved, but system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller verifies the downloaded update software before erasing or implementing it. This beforehand verification acts as a cushion against faulty updates, ensuring only validated software is installed, thereby maintaining system reliability while enabling efficient storage management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller receives verification results from the updated software before final implementation. This feedback loop ensures that only correctly functioning updates are deployed, maintaining system reliability while allowing for efficient storage utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for an updatable blood pump are disclosed herein. The blood pump can be part of a mechanical circulatory support system that can include a system controller and the blood pump. The blood pump can include a rotary motor and a control unit that can communicate with the system controller. The system controller can initiate the update process and can provide the update to the blood pump. Upon initiation of the update process, the control unit can stop the rotary motor. While the rotary motor is stopped, the blood pump can be updated. At the completion of the update, the rotary pump can be restarted.