Measurement of shape mapping accuracy of a flaccid membrane of a heart assist pump

The paper presents the research results which are a continuation of work on the use of image processing techniques to determine the membrane shape of the artificial ventricle. The studies were focused on developing a technique for measuring the accuracy of the membrane shape mapping. It is important in view of ensuring the required accuracy of determining the instantaneous stroke volume of controlled pneumatic artificial ventricular. Experiments were carried out on the models of convex, concave, and flat membranes. The purpose of the research was to obtain a numerical indicator, which will be used to evaluate the options to improve mapping techniques of the membrane shape. Keywords: accuracy measurement, membrane shape mapping, optical sensor

Optical distortion compensation in the visual measurement with the new Depth From Defocus method

The paper presents new approach to compensation the inaccuracy of shape mapping of the flaccid membrane used in the extracorporeal pneumatic heart assist pump. The original shape of the membrane was determined using specially developed DFD type method. The major problems affecting the inaccuracy of mapping the membrane result from the phenomenon of optical distortion. The invented approach to compensate for optical distortion in the process of visual measurement as well as the results obtained were presented. Full Text: PDF ReferencesK. Murawski, Method of measuring the distance using one camera, Patent Application No P.408076 (2014) - in Polish. DirectLink K. Murawski, M. Murawska, T. Pustelny, The system and method of determining the shape of the membrane pneumatic pump of extracorporeal heart assist device, Patent Application No P.414104 (2015) - in Polish. DirectLink M. Gawlikowski, T. Pustelny, R. Kustosz, "The physical parameters estimation of physiologically worked heart prosthesis", Journal de Physique IV France 137, 73 (2006). CrossRef K. Murawski, "Measurement of Membrane Displacement Using a Motionless Camera", Acta Phys. Pol. A 128(1), 10 (2015). CrossRef K. Murawski, "Measurement of Membrane Displacement with a Motionless Camera Equipped with a Fixed Focus Lens", Metrology and Measurement Systems 22(1), 69 (2015). CrossRef K. Murawski, A. Arciuch, T. Pustelny, "Study of distance range visual measurement in the new Depth From Defocus method", Phot. Lett. Poland 8, 2 (2016). CrossRef L. Grad, K. Murawski, W. Sulej, "Research to improve the accuracy of determining the stroke volume of an artificial ventricle using the wavelet transform", Proc. SPIE 10455, 1045509 (2017). CrossRef W. Sulej, K. Murawski, "The membrane shape mapping of the artificial ventricle in the actual dimensions", Proc. FedCSIS ACSIS 11, 675 (2017). CrossRef W. Sulej, L. Grad, K. Murawski, "The technique of accuracy measurement of membrane shape mapping of an artificial ventricle", Proc. SPIE 10455, 104550B (2017). CrossRef

Splenic abcesses as infectious complication following implantation of left ventricular asssist device - case report

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is one of the modern management therapies in patients with advanced heart failure, and it serves as a bridge to heart transplantation or even as destination therapy. However, it is burdened with a high risk of thromboembolic, hemorrhagic, and infectious complications despite prophylactic management. Splenic abscesses, as septic complications following implantation of mechanical ventricular support, have not yet been described in the literature. We report of a patient with severe left ventricular insufficiency (NYHA II/III), pulmonary hypertension, and arrhythmia who underwent implantation of the Heart Ware® pump for left ventricular support with simultaneous tricuspidvalvoplasty, as a bridge therapy to heart transplantation. During two years after LVAD implantation, the patient had three MRSA skin infections, localized at the exit site of the drive-line connecting the artificial ventricle with external unit, that were complicated by sepsis and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. A few months later, abdominal CT revealed two abscesses in the spleen, and the patient was qualified for splenectomy. Open splenectomy was performed under full-dose anticoagulant therapy with continuous intravenous infusions of unfractionated heparin (UFH). The intra- and postoperative course was uneventful. UFH therapy was continued for 6 days, and oral anticoagulation was re-administered on day 4 after surgery. The patient was discharged on day 7 after surgery with primary healed wound. Open splenectomy, performed with full-dose anticoagulant therapy, proved to be an effective and definitive method of treatment without any complications.