Automatic monitoring of the infusion system in a rotary heart assist device

A fault detection algorithm was designed to monitor the infusion system of a ventricular assist device (AB-180 Circulatory Support System [AB-180 CSS], CardiacAssist, Inc.). This algorithm measures the infusion pressure, calculates the pressure derivative, and then compares to the preset thresholds to detect leaks and kinks in the infusion line, abnormal infusion rate, and infusion pump stoppage. The thresholds were identified from an experiment simulating the possible fault conditions of the infusion system. The algorithm was implemented in a data acquisition system and verified by using different pumps and controllers.