Embedded Cyber-Physical System for Physiological Control of Ventricular Assist Devices

Abstract

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) play a crucial role in both bridging to transplantation and serving as destination therapy for congestive heart failure (CHF) management. This study aims to address the limitations of existing control strategies for VADs, specifically their inability to adapt automatically to hemodynamic changes. It proposes a novel embedded cyber-physical system (CPS) based on real-time data processing, reconfigurable architecture, and communication protocols aligned with Health 4.0 concepts to enhance physiological control over VADs (PC-VAD). The research employs a multi-objective PC-VAD approach within a hybrid cardiovascular simulator. An embedded CPS is introduced to overcome challenges related to differences in controller characteristics between computers and embedded systems. The study assesses the performance of the embedded CPS by comparing it with a computer-based control system. The embedded CPS demonstrates outcomes comparable to the computer-based control system, maintaining mean arterial pressure and cardiac output at physiological levels. Even in the face of variations in ejection fraction, the embedded CPS dynamically adjusts the pump's rotational speed based on simulated clinical conditions. Notably, there is no aortic reflux to the ventricle through the VAD during testing. These findings affirm the satisfactory control performance of the embedded CPS in regulating VADs. The study concludes that the embedded CPS effectively addresses the limitations of current VAD control strategies, exhibiting control performance comparable to computer-based systems. However, further experimentation and in vivo studies are necessary to validate and ensure its applicability in real-world scenarios.