Cannula Stabilizer with Deflecting Struts and Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for stabilizing cannulae in the vascular network fail to maintain the distal end in an orthogonal position, leading to localized tissue stress and potential flow obstruction, as sutures alone are insufficient to prevent tilting and movement.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer apparatus comprising a ring with outwardly deflected struts and inwardly deflected arms that engage the cannula, allowing contact pads to deflect and transfer force to increase the angle of the arms, securing the cannula to the vascular structure and preventing movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures are used to secure the cannula to the vascular structure, then hemostasis is achieved and removal of the tip is prevented, but the cannula tip can still tilt away from the orthogonal position
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer is divided into distinct functional segments: a ring component that surrounds the cannula, multiple struts extending from the ring with contact pads for engaging the vascular wall, and arms that engage the cannula surface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve both hemostasis and positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer applies local quality by having contact pads at the struts engage specifically with the vascular wall at discrete points, while arms engage the cannula at specific locations. This localized engagement provides targeted stabilization forces exactly where needed to maintain orthogonal positioning without compromising overall hemostasis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cannula tip is allowed to tilt away from the orthogonal position, then some flexibility is maintained, but localized stress on tissue and flow obstruction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer incorporates dynamic elements including struts that are deflectable upon contact with the vascular wall and arms that can adjust their engagement with the cannula. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt to slight variations in vascular wall geometry while maintaining firm engagement to prevent harmful tilting, thus balancing flexibility with stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer changes geometric parameters through the deflection of struts and arms during engagement. The struts deflect upon contacting the vascular wall, changing their angle and position, while the arms adjust their engagement depth with the cannula. These parameter changes enable the device to accommodate natural anatomical variations while maintaining the cannula in the optimal orthogonal position to prevent tissue stress and flow obstruction.
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
Effectively stabilizes the cannula in an orthogonal position, reducing tissue stress and flow obstruction by securely engaging the cannula to the vascular wall, enhancing the stability and functionality of vascular assist systems.
Implementation Method 1
each of the three or more struts being outwardly deflected at a first angle relative to a first axis that is parallel to a lengthwise axis of the cannula, and each having a contact pad extending radially therefrom, each of the contact pads being at a second angle relative to a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis in a rest position; and three or more arms extending proximally from the ring and inwardly deflected by a third angle relative to the first axis; wherein upon application of force to the contact pads when engaging a wall of the vascular structure, the contact pads are deflected from the rest position to a position that generally decreases the second angle, and the force is transferred in a manner that generally increases the first angle and generally increases the third angle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An apparatus and method for stabilizing a cannula (68) to a vascular structure. The stabilizer (66) includes a ring (78) that circumferentially surrounds the cannula (68). Three or more struts (80) extend distally from the ring (78) and are outwardly-deflected by a first angle relative to a first axis that is parallel to a lengthwise central axis of the cannula (68). Each strut (80) includes a contact pad (82) that radially extends from the strut (80) and is distally-deflected by a second angle relative to a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. Three or more arms (84) extend proximally from the ring (78) and each arm (84) opposes one of the struts (80). The arms (84) are inwardly- deflected by a third angle relative to the first axis. The stabilizer (66) is configured to move relative to the cannula (68) until the contact pads (82) engage the vascular structure (67), causing the arms (84) to engage and resist further movement of the stabilizer (66) relative to the cannula (68).