Bi-directional Perfusion Cannula for VA-ECMO Limb Ischemia

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Solution Overview

Problem

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) treatments often result in lower limb ischemia due to the lack of anterograde blood flow, leading to increased morbidity and mortality, with current solutions like pediatric distal leg perfusion cannulas being suboptimal.

Innovation Solution

A bi-directional perfusion cannula design that includes a primary lumen for retrograde blood perfusion and a secondary lumen or passage for anterograde blood perfusion, with sealing mechanisms to prevent leakage, allowing for simultaneous retrograde and anterograde blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cannula is used for retrograde blood flow in VA-ECMO, then the cannula structure is simple, but lower limb ischemia occurs due to lack of anterograde perfusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula structureVSAvoidlower limb ischemia

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula is divided into multiple lumens (first lumen for retrograde flow, second lumen for anterograde flow) within a single device, allowing independent blood flow paths that prevent limb ischemia while maintaining overall structural integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second cannula is inserted through the passage of the first cannula, with the second cannula nested within the first cannula's structure, enabling dual-directional perfusion through a unified cannula assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a pediatric distal leg perfusion cannula is used to ensure limb perfusion, then lower limb ischemia is prevented, but the solution is not optimal due to increased device complexity and suboptimal performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelower limb ischemiaVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retrograde and anterograde perfusion functions are merged into a single cannula device with multiple lumens, eliminating the need for separate pediatric distal leg perfusion cannulas while reducing overall device complexity and improving hemodynamic performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a passage is added to the cannula for anterograde perfusion, then concomitant limb perfusion is achieved, but blood leakage occurs through the passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelower limb ischemiaVSAvoidblood leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A seal acts as an intermediary element between the passage and the external environment, allowing the second cannula to pass through while preventing blood leakage, thus enabling anterograde perfusion without compromising vascular integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20220370701A1Bidirectional perfusion cannula

Publication Date: 2022.11.24 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a bi-directional perfusion cannula for use in peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation of a patient, the cannula comprising a cannula main body having a primary lumen, the primary lumen leading to a distal end of the cannula main body for providing retrograde blood perfusion, characterized in that the main body further comprises a passage for passing a second cannula therethrough, the passage being oriented such that when a second cannula is inserted into the passage the second cannula is arranged for providing anterograde blood perfusion.