A method for estimating a position of a heart pump system while the heart pump system is operating in a patient, the method comprising:
- positioning the heart pump system within the patient such that a differential pressure sensor disposed on the heart pump system is exposed to aortic pressure and ventricular pressure of the patient;
- receiving first data indicative of a time-varying motor current during a first period of time while the heart pump system is operating in the patient, wherein the time-varying motor current corresponds to an amount of current delivered to a motor of the heart pump system;
- receiving second data from the differential pressure sensor disposed on the heart pump system, the second data indicative of a time-varying differential pressure during the first period of time, wherein the time-varying differential pressure corresponds to a difference in pressure between (i) an inner portion of the heart pump system that is indicative of ventricular pressure and (ii) an outside of the heart pump system that is indicative of aortic pressure, wherein the time-varying differential pressure is further indicative of a position of the heart pump system relative to patient's heart;
- receiving 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;
- determining 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 is usable to predict the position of the heart pump system in the patient;
- displaying the estimate of time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time;
- providing an indicator that the displayed estimate of time-varying differential pressure is simulated;
- receiving fourth data from the differential pressure sensor, the fourth data indicative of the time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time;
- determining the time-varying differential pressure indicated by the fourth data is drifting, wherein the determining the time-varying differential pressure is drifting comprises:
- comparing the time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time to the estimate of time-varying differential pressure for the second period of time,
- calculating, based on the comparing, a difference between the time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time 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, that the difference is greater than the differential pressure signal threshold;
- and
- based on determining the time-varying differential pressure during the second period of time is drifting, automatically re-calibrating the differential pressure sensor.