Physiologically-based control system and method for using the same

• US 20020173695A1
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Skliar, Mikhail, Giridharan, Guruprasad A.
• Application Number:
  US10/147,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/205 Non-positive displacement blood pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/531 using blood pressure data, e.g. from blood pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/554 of blood pressure

Abstract

A device and method for maintaining a constant average pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of a pump for a body fluid, leading to an adequate flow for different pathological conditions. The device and method allow for automatic adjustment of the pump to meet the physiological demand of the patient. The device and method also allow the physiological constraints on the pump to be accounted for, preventing suction and minimizing back flow of the body fluid. The device and method allow implicit synchronization of the pump with the natural regulatory mechanism for meeting patient'"'"'s demand. Thus, the pump can be continually adjusted to an optimal level in response to the patient'"'"'s physiological condition.

Claims

1. A method for pumping a body fluid, comprising:

providing a pump for the body fluid;

determining the pressure differential across the pump; and

maintaining the pressure differential at a substantially constant value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the pressure differential by measuring the pressure at the input and output of the pump.

3. The method of claim 2, including measuring the pressure at the input and the output using pressure sensors.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the pressure differential by estimating the input and output pressure of the pump using the operating parameters of the pump.

5. The method of claim 1, including maintaining the pressure differential using a control system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the control system contains a feedback controller for maintaining the pressure differential.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the pressure differential provides an adequate flow of the body fluid under different pathological conditions.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the body fluid is blood and the pump is a ventricular assist device.

9. A method for controlling a pump for a body fluid, comprising:

providing a pump for the body fluid;

determining the pressure differential across the pump; and

maintaining the pressure differential at a substantially constant value.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the pressure differential by measuring the pressure at the input and output of the pump using pressure sensors.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the pressure differential by estimating the input and output pressure of the pump using the operating parameters of the pump.

12. The method of claim 9, including maintaining the pressure differential using a control system containing a feedback controller.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the body fluid is blood and the pump is a ventricular assist device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the determining means include means for measuring the input and output pressure of the pump.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the measuring means includes pressure sensors.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the determining means includes the operating parameters of the pump.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the maintaining means includes a control system functioning to adapt the flow generated by pump the to the changing physiological requirements of the body.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the control system contains a feedback controller.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the body fluid is blood and the pump is a ventricular assist device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the control system contains a feedback controller.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the body fluid is blood and the pump is a ventricular assist device.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the pumping system contains a pump.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the control system contains a feedback controller.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the body fluid is blood and the pump is a ventricular assist device.

14. A method for controlling a pump for a body fluid, comprising:

providing a pump for the body fluid;

determining the pressure differential across the pump; and

maintaining the pressure differential at a substantially constant value, thereby providing an adequate flow of the body fluid under different pathological conditions.

15. A method for controlling a pump for a body fluid, comprising:

providing a pump for the body fluid;

measuring the average pressure differential across the pump by using pressure sensors; and

maintaining the average pressure differential at a substantially constant value, thereby providing an adequate flow of the body fluid under different pathological conditions.

16. A system for pumping a body fluid, comprising:

a pump;

means for determining the pressure differential across the pump; and

means for maintaining the pressure differential at a substantially constant value.

23. A system for pumping a body fluid, comprising:

a pump; and

a control system for maintaining a physiologically-sufficient flow of the body fluid through the pump, the control system maintaining a pressure differential across the pump to ensure adequate flow despite the changing conditions of the body fluid.

26. A system for a body fluid, comprising:

a pumping system for pumping the body fluid; and

a control system for maintaining a physiologically-sufficient flow of the body fluid through the pumping system, the control system maintaining a pressure differential across the pumping system to ensure adequate flow despite the changing conditions of the body fluid.

30. A method for controlling the flow of a body fluid, comprising:

providing a pump in the flow of the body fluid;

determining the pressure differential across the pump; and

maintaining the pressure differential at a substantially constant value.