Bidirectional Flow Catheter With Segmented Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannulae for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) cause trauma and obstruct blood flow due to large diameters, leading to ischemic injury and tissue damage, and existing solutions have sharp surfaces that complicate placement and increase the risk of injury and dislodgement.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional intravascular cannula with a reverse flow port and a cap to facilitate bi-directional blood flow, reducing the need for a second cannula and minimizing tissue damage during insertion and movement, featuring a biocompatible design to prevent obstruction and improve stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a larger diameter cannula is used for ECLS, then blood flow capacity is improved, but tissue trauma and distal flow obstruction worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into multiple functional segments: a proximal portion with a first opening for inflow, a distal portion with a second opening for outflow, and an intermediate section with multiple side openings. This segmentation allows blood to be drawn from the proximal region and distributed through multiple pathways, improving flow capacity while reducing the diameter of any single opening and minimizing tissue trauma at each insertion point.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cannula have different functional characteristics optimized for their specific roles. The proximal end is designed for blood intake with a larger opening, the distal end for blood return with another opening, and the intermediate section provides multiple smaller side openings for localized blood flow distribution. This local differentiation allows the cannula to achieve high overall flow capacity without requiring any single large-diameter insertion point that would cause excessive tissue trauma.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a smaller diameter cannula is used to reduce tissue trauma, then distal flow obstruction is reduced, but blood flow capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single small-diameter cannula that would limit flow capacity, the invention segments the flow path into multiple openings (first opening at proximal end, second opening at distal end, and multiple side openings). This allows the cannula to maintain a small overall diameter for minimal tissue trauma while providing multiple flow pathways that collectively achieve high blood flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula transitions from a single-dimension flow path (one opening) to a multi-dimensional flow distribution system with openings at multiple locations along the cannula length. The side openings are positioned at different heights and angles, creating a three-dimensional flow pattern that increases total flow capacity without increasing the cannula's external diameter, thus maintaining minimal tissue trauma.
3Ease of operation
If a cannula with sharp surfaces is used for insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but risk of injury and dislodgement worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula incorporates rounded and curved surface features throughout its structure, including a rounded proximal end, curved side openings with smooth edges, and a rounded distal end. These curved surfaces eliminate sharp edges that would cause tissue injury during insertion, while the overall streamlined shape reduces resistance during placement. The smooth curved surfaces also minimize friction and tissue adherence, reducing the risk of dislodgement once positioned.
4Ease of operation
If a cannula without stabilization features is used, then ease of insertion is improved, but stability within the blood vessel worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula incorporates flexible stabilization features including a compliant distal portion with the second opening and side openings that can flexibly adapt to the blood vessel wall. These flexible sections provide gentle anchoring through conformal contact with the vessel wall, ensuring stability without requiring sharp anchoring features that would complicate insertion or cause tissue injury. The flexibility allows the cannula to move with vessel pulsations while maintaining secure positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a bidirectional intravascular cannula, or catheter, that is configured to provide and return blood in a patient bidirectionally. The bidirectional intravascular cannula is configured to reduce or obviate the need for a second cannula, such as currently available unidirectional cannulae, to be placed in a second or opposite direction of flow. Users would include cardiac surgeons, intensivists, vascular surgeons, ER doctors, IR doctors and cardiologist who use peripheral cannulation for ECLS or cardiopulmonary bypass. The cannula allows continued flow to a patient's limb even with the cannula proximally in the vessel. The cannula further allows larger size cannula to be placed without the need for additional distal catheter placement.