High efficiency external counterpulsation apparatus and method for controlling same

An external counterpulsation apparatus for use with a patient, comprising:

• a plurality of inflatable members adapted to be received about a limb of the patient;
• a source of compressed fluid in fluid communication with said plurality of inflatable members;
• a fluid distribution device connected to said inflatable members and operable to distribute compressed fluid from said source of compressed fluid to said inflatable members;
• a high-frequency current source operably applied to the patient to produce an electrocardiographic signal and a blood flow impedance signal;
• an amplifier-filter circuit operably conditioning said electrocardiographic signal received from the patient;
• a heart impedance signal amplifier operably receiving said blood flow impedance signal from the patient;
• and
• a computer operably processing said electrocardiographic signal and said blood flow impedance signal and operably associated with the fluid distribution device for controlling distribution of compressed fluid to said plurality of inflatable members based on said processed electrocardiographic signal and blood flow impedance signal.

A counterpulsation control method comprising:

• obtaining an impedance blood flow signal;
• obtaining an electrocardiographic signal;
• detecting a QRS wave of said electrocardiographic signal;
• determining a counterpulsation blood flow wave initiation from said impedance blood flow signal;
• and
• controlling at least one of inflation time and deflation time of an inflatable member from said electrocardiographic signal and said counterpulsation blood flow wave initiation.