Aortic pressure estimation for the Penn State electric ventricular assist device

Abstract

A computer simulation of the Penn State rollerscrew electric ventricular assist device (EVAD) and the mock circulatory system has been developed for the purpose of control system design. The system model and simulation were verified for accuracy with a mock circulatory system using an EVAD. An observer based on a Luenberger observer was used to predict unmeasurable system pressures necessary for pump output control. From the simulation, accurate aortic pressure values were obtained using the observer during systole at a beat rate of 60 beats/min. The gains used in the observer were judiciously chosen, but a method for optimizing the feedback gains was developed. This method of selecting the observer gains which minimizes the error between the observer and the system is by pole placement rather than by statistical techniques.<>