Adjustable ECLS Cannula for Patient-Specific Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) systems require multiple cannula sizes to accommodate varying patient anatomies, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary cannula replacements due to improper sizing before procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cannula with a tubular member made from a polymeric material containing an actuatable structure that changes inner diameter in response to external stimuli, such as voltage, temperature, or light, allowing for adjustable sizing in situ, enabling a single cannula to fit different patient vasculatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cannula sizes are stocked to accommodate varying patient anatomies, then adaptability to different patients is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula incorporates an actuatable structure that allows the inner diameter to dynamically change in response to external stimuli (voltage, temperature, or light). This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single cannula to adapt to different patient anatomies and vasculature sizes, eliminating the need to stock multiple fixed-size cannulas while maintaining versatility across patient populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula's inner diameter parameter can be changed on-demand through external stimuli. The actuatable structure modifies the physical dimension of the cannula after deployment, allowing the same cannula to serve multiple size requirements. This parameter change capability resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability without increasing inventory complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed-size cannula is used before vasculature size is known, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but reliability decreases due to improper sizing
Solution Approach 1:
The actuatable structure is pre-integrated into the cannula design, prepared for activation but not yet activated during insertion. This allows the cannula to be deployed in a simplified manner initially, then adjusted afterward. The preliminary preparation of the adjustment mechanism enables both procedural simplicity during insertion and reliability through subsequent sizing correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula transitions from a static fixed-size state during insertion to a dynamic adjustable state after deployment. This dynamic capability allows the operator to first perform the simple action of insertion with any cannula size, then reliably adjust the inner diameter to match the actual vasculature size, combining procedural simplicity with sizing accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cannula sizes are maintained in inventory, then patient-specific matching is improved, but loss of substance increases through discarding improperly sized cannulas
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula with actuatable structure serves multiple size functions within a single device. Instead of requiring separate cannulas for different patient sizes, this universal cannula can be adjusted to match various vasculature dimensions. This multi-functionality eliminates the waste associated with discarding improperly sized cannulas while maintaining the ability to achieve patient-specific matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner diameter parameter of the cannula can be changed to match different patient anatomies, allowing a single cannula to replace multiple fixed-size cannulas. This parameter adjustability prevents the loss of substance by enabling the same cannula to be used across different patient populations rather than discarding cannulas that don't perfectly match pre-determined size categories.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable cannula reduces the need for multiple sizes, enhances fluid flow, and improves seal and patency, minimizing waste and procedural complications by accommodating varying patient anatomies effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The actuatable structure is responsive to an applied voltage from the controller such that an inner diameter of the tubular member changes as the applied voltage changes
Implementation Method 2
The actuatable structure includes a shape memory material
Data Source
AI summary
A cannula for an ECLS system may include a tubular member and an actuatable structure. The actuatable structure may be responsive to an external stimulus such that an inner diameter of the tubular member changes as the external stimulus changes. A system may include the cannula and a controller in electrical communication with the actuatable structure. The controller may be user-configurable to set a desired value for an inner diameter of the tubular member. A method of connecting a patient's vasculature to an ECLS system may include advancing a delivery sheath into the vasculature, moving the delivery sheath relative to the cannula to expose the cannula within the vasculature, and shifting the actuatable structure from a first configuration to a second configuration while at least a portion of the cannula is disposed within the vasculature to change an inner diameter of the tubular member.