An Output Feedback Pusher Plate Controller for the Penn State Electric Ventricular Assist Device: Stability Analysis

Abstract

The development of an optimal output feedback controller for the Penn State electric ventricular assist device (EVAD) is addressed. The controller is designed to minimize the electric energy consumption of the EVAD, while utilizing the measured pusher plate position as the only feedback signal. The controller incorporates statistical information of the targeted patient population and optimizes the expected value of the system performance. The present paper shows that the optimal output feedback control scheme is asymptotically stable when the EVAD operates in a steady beat rate mode, and bounded-input/bounded-output stable when the beat rate undergoes a transient. Since the EVAD operates in either steady or transient beat rate modes, this optimal control scheme is stable.