Cannula Anchors With Rectangular Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannulas face challenges in minimizing thrombus formation and maintaining structural integrity during operation, particularly when used with pump devices, as they can disrupt fluid flow and be prone to deformation or collapse.
Innovation Solution
A cannula design featuring a conduit with a single piece graft component on its interior surface to reduce thrombus formation and an elongate support structure with a rectangular cross-section on its exterior surface to prevent collapse, along with an anchoring structure that includes stent elements for tissue engagement and a collar for interface with pump devices, which can transition between delivery and deployed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cannula design is used, then the device can be inserted and positioned, but it disrupts fluid flow and promotes thrombus formation
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula applies different surface qualities to different locations: the interior surface uses a single-piece everted graft component to create a smooth, non-thrombogenic flow path, while the exterior surface uses a separate graft component only where needed for thrombus prevention. This localized application of different surface properties resolves the contradiction between maintaining fluid flow and preventing thrombus formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula combines multiple graft components with different functions: an everted graft component for the interior surface to maintain fluid flow integrity, and a separate graft component for the exterior surface to prevent thrombus formation. This composite structure allows each material to perform its specialized function, resolving the contradiction between fluid flow and thrombus prevention.
2Ease of operation
If the cannula is made flexible for positioning, then it can be easily inserted and positioned, but it is prone to deformation or collapse during pump operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula uses a flexible conduit structure that can be easily positioned, while incorporating support structures in the form of elongate elements with rectangular cross-sections that provide radial strength to prevent collapse during pump operation. This combination allows the cannula to be both flexible for positioning and strong for withstanding operational pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is divided into functional segments: flexible conduit portions for ease of positioning, and reinforced support structure portions with rectangular cross-sections for collapse resistance. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Reliability
If the cannula includes an anchoring structure for stable positioning, then it can engage with tissue effectively, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the elongate elements with rectangular cross-sections serve both as support structures to prevent collapse and as anchoring elements to engage with tissue. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining anchoring stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that may include an inflow or outflow cannula apparatus. A support structure of the cannula may include an elongate element having a rectangular cross-section, the elongate element being coupled to the exterior surface of a conduit of the cannula by a second graft component. A cannula may include a first stent element configured to facilitate folding of a first anchor portion toward an exterior surface of the conduit and adjacent a second stent element and the second stent element may be configured to facilitate folding of a second anchor portion toward the exterior surface of the conduit and adjacent the first stent element in a delivery configuration.