Patent ID: 9566374
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M

Claim:
1. A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject, the method comprising: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; analyzing the drive line pressure signal as a function of time to determine a full fill or full empty condition of the CPD; detecting a temporal location of the full fill or full empty condition during an operation cycle of the CPD; comparing the temporal location to a desired range; and if the temporal location is outside of the desired range, adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line.