Arterial cannula device and method with pulsatility and flow reversal

Abstract

The present disclosure describes, in part, arterial cannula systems for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and cardiopulmonary bypass provides pulsatile blood flow and selective flow distribution. The cannula comprises a multi-lumen structure including a central lumen for blood flow, dedicated lumens for helium delivery, a distal orifice for body perfusion, and proximal orifices for limb perfusion. An inflatable cuff positioned between the distal and proximal orifices modulates blood flow through rapid inflation and deflation cycles achieved in milliseconds using helium gas. An external control console with microcontrollers and customized software automates the inflation-deflation cycles based on physiological inputs including ECG, arterial pressure, and tissue oxygenation. The system restores physiologically effective pulsatile flow, prevents limb ischemia, reduces thrombus formation risk, and can provide ECG-synchronized flow modulation to facilitate native cardiac ejection, potentially eliminating the need for separate left ventricular venting during mechanical circulatory support.

Images