# US 11,298,524 B2 · Systems and methods for estimating a position of a heart pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,524 B2 - Document ID: US11298524B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/354,595 - Filed: 2019-03-15 - Published: 2019-09-19 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-16 - Assignees: ABIOMED, Inc. - Applicants: Abiomed, Inc. - Inventors: Ahmad El Katerji; Chen Liu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298524B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/7239: {using differentiation including higher order derivatives} - A61M 60/13: by means of a catheter allowing explantation, e.g. catheter pumps temporarily introduced via the vascular system - A61M 60/148: in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices - A61M 60/174: discharging the blood to the ventricle or arterial system via a cannula internal to the ventricle or arterial system - A61M 60/216: including a rotating member acting on the blood, e.g. impeller - A61M 60/411: generated by an electromotor - A61M 60/538: Regulation using real-time blood pump operational parameter data, e.g. motor current - A61M 60/554: of blood pressure - A61M 60/816: Sensors arranged on or in the housing, e.g. ultrasonic flow sensors - A61M 60/829: having a purge fluid supply - A61M 60/867: using position detection during deployment, e.g. for blood pumps mounted on and driven through a catheter - A61B 5/0031: {Implanted circuitry} - A61B 5/024: Measuring pulse rate or heart rate - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate - A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site - A61M 2205/3351: Controlling upstream pump pressure - A61M 2205/3355: Controlling downstream pump pressure - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided herein for estimating a position of a heart pump system in a patient. The system receives first data indicative of a time-varying motor current during a first time period. The motor current corresponds to an amount of current delivered to a motor, while the heart pump system is operating in the patient. The system receives second data indicative of a time-varying differential pressure during the first time period. The differential pressure is indicative of a position of the heart pump system relative to patient's heart. The system receives third data indicative of time-varying motor current during a second time period, and determines an estimate of differential pressure during the second period of time from the third data and a relationship between the first data and the second data. The estimate is usable to predict the position of the heart pump system in the patient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A heart pump system comprising: a pump comprising a pump housing and a rotor, the pump housing having a proximal end and a distal end, and the pump being configured to be operated by a motor; a cannula comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the cannula interfaces with the distal end of the pump housing; an elongate catheter extending proximal of the pump housing; one or more sensors, including a differential pressure sensor; and a controller configured to: receive a first data indicative of a time-varying motor current during a first period of time while the heart pump system is operating in a patient, wherein the time-varying motor current corresponds to an amount of current delivered to the motor; receive a second data indicative of a time-varying differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor during the first period of time, wherein the time-varying differential pressure corresponds to a difference in pressure between an inner portion of the heart pump system and an outside of the heart pump system and is further indicative of a position of the heart pump system relative to patient's heart; receive a third data indicative of time-varying motor current during a second period of time while the heart pump system is operating in the patient, wherein the second period of time is later than the first period of time; determine that the differential pressure sensor has failed when no data is received from the differential pressure sensor during the second period of time; and determine, in response to determining that the differential pressure sensor has failed, an estimate of time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time from the third data and a relationship between the first data and the second data, wherein the estimate of time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time is usable to predict the position of the heart pump system in the patient. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The heart pump system of claim 1, wherein the pump is configured to be placed such that the cannula extends across an aortic valve of the patient, the distal end of the cannula being located within a left ventricle of the patient, and the proximal end of the cannula being located within an aorta of the patient. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The heart pump system of claim 1, further comprising a flexible projection extending distally away from the distal end of the cannula. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The heart pump system of claim 1, wherein the elongate catheter is coupled on its distal end to the pump housing, and wherein the pump further comprises a drive cable extending through the elongate catheter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The heart pump system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: provide a first indicator that the differential pressure sensor has failed; and provide a second indicator that the estimate of time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time is simulated. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The heart pump system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the time-varying differential pressure is drifting by: comparing the time-varying differential pressure to the estimate of time-varying differential pressure for the second period of time; calculating, based on comparing the time-varying differential pressure to the estimate of time-varying differential pressure, a difference between the time-varying differential pressure and the estimate of time-varying differential pressure over the second period of time; comparing the difference to a differential pressure signal threshold; and determining, based on comparing the difference to the differential pressure signal threshold, the difference is greater than the differential pressure signal threshold.