US 10,300,184 B2 · Flow estimation using hall-effect sensors

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for estimating flow rate in a blood circulation assist system employing impeller eccentricity. A method includes magnetically rotating an impeller within a blood flow channel of a blood pump. The impeller is levitated within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation. A rotational speed for the impeller is determined. At least one impeller transverse position parameter is determined. The at least one impeller transverse position parameter is based on at least one of (1) an amount of a bearing current that is used to levitate the impeller transverse to the impeller axis of rotation, and (2) a position of the impeller within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation. A flow rate of blood pumped by the blood pump is estimated based on the impeller rotational speed and the at least one impeller transverse position parameter.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A blood circulation assist system, comprising:

a blood pump including an impeller disposed within a blood flow channel of the blood pump and a motor stator operable to magnetically rotate the impeller, the impeller having an impeller axis of rotation around which the impeller is rotated, the motor stator being further operable to magnetically levitate the impeller within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation;
and
a controller operatively coupled with the blood pump, the controller being configured to:
determine at least one impeller transverse position parameter that is based on at least one of (1) an amount of a bearing current that is used to levitate the impeller transverse to the impeller axis of rotation, and (2) a position of the impeller within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation;
and
estimate a pressure differential across the impeller based on the at least one impeller transverse position parameter.

3 more elements

A method of estimating a pressure differential across an impeller of a blood pump, the method comprising:

magnetically rotating the impeller around an impeller axis of rotation within a blood flow channel of the blood pump;
magnetically levitating the impeller within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation;
determining at least one impeller transverse position parameter that is based on at least one of (1) an amount of a bearing current that is used to levitate the impeller transverse to the impeller axis of rotation, and (2) a position of the impeller within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation;
and
estimating the pressure differential across the impeller based on the at least one impeller transverse position parameter.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flow estimation using hall-effect sensors

Life of this patent

Flow estimation using hall-effect sensors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19