Ventricular Pressure Estimation Using Implanted Accelerometer Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining ventricular pressure require invasive procedures or infrequent, non-continuous ultrasound measurements, posing risks and limitations in real-time monitoring of heart function.
Innovation Solution
A method using an implanted accelerometer at the heart to determine heart cycle events, scaling a reference pressure-time curve based on these events to estimate ventricular pressure without direct pressure measurement, allowing continuous or real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive pressure catheter insertion is performed to measure ventricular pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but patient safety and ease of operation deteriorate due to stroke risk and invasiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an accelerometer as an intermediary device to indirectly estimate ventricular pressure without direct catheter insertion. The accelerometer measures heart wall motion, and through signal processing and correlation with reference pressure curves, derives pressure estimates. This mediator approach eliminates the need for invasive pressure catheters while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive pressure measurement system (pressure catheter) with a non-invasive accelerometer-based system. Instead of directly measuring pressure mechanically, the system uses accelerometry to capture motion dynamics and computationally derives pressure information, substituting a less harmful mechanical approach for the traditional invasive one.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ultrasound measurements are used to estimate ventricular pressure, then invasiveness is reduced, but measurement precision and continuity deteriorate due to infrequent manual analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous monitoring by having the accelerometer continuously record heart wall motion and automatically process the signals in real-time. Unlike intermittent ultrasound examinations, the system provides uninterrupted pressure estimation, allowing continuous detection of pressure changes and heart cycle events without manual intervention between measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic signal processing and pressure curve scaling without requiring manual ultrasound image analysis. The accelerometer data is automatically correlated with reference curves, and the system self-adjusts the pressure-time curve scaling based on detected heart cycle events, eliminating the need for operator intervention and enabling continuous automated monitoring.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ultrasound measurements are performed to determine heart valve timing, then non-invasive pressure estimation is achieved, but productivity and real-time monitoring capability deteriorate due to hours apart measurement intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer continuously captures heart wall motion signals, enabling real-time detection of heart valve events and continuous scaling of the reference pressure curve. This eliminates the hours-apart measurement intervals inherent in ultrasound-based methods, providing uninterrupted real-time monitoring of ventricular pressure and heart function.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If reference pressure curve scaling is performed manually based on ultrasound images, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but time consumption and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects heart cycle events from accelerometer signals and performs self-adjustment of the reference pressure curve scaling. The accelerometer data is processed through algorithms that automatically correlate motion patterns with pressure events, eliminating manual image analysis and reducing measurement time from hours to real-time operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual ultrasound image analysis with automated accelerometer-based signal processing. Instead of operators manually measuring ultrasound images to determine valve timing, the system uses accelerometry combined with automated algorithms to detect heart cycle events and scale pressure curves, dramatically reducing time consumption and enabling real-time operation.
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 continuous, real-time estimation of ventricular pressure and pressure-motion loops, enhancing heart function assessment with improved accuracy and reduced invasiveness.
Implementation Method 1
receiving data from an accelerometer that has been implanted at the heart, and determining timing of heart cycle events based on the received data
Data Source
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AI summary
An approach for determining an estimated pressure curve for the ventricle of the heart, the method comprising: using data from a motion sensor that has been implanted at the heart to determine the timing of heart cycle events; scaling a reference pressure-time curve including timing of reference heart cycle events in order to fit the reference pressure-time curve to the motion sensor data, the scaling comprising scaling the reference curve along the time axis to fit it to the measured timing of the heart cycle events; and thereby obtaining an estimated pressure-time curve in the form of the scaled reference pressure-time curve.