Dual-Lumen Catheter for Low-Recirculation Lung Assist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dual lumen catheters for veno-venous ECMO and right ventricular support suffer from recirculation of oxygenated blood, require constant re-positioning due to patient movement, and fail to actively drain the right ventricle, which impedes the efficiency of lung assist devices and hinders right ventricular recovery.
Innovation Solution
A single-entry dual lumen catheter design that actively drains the right ventricle, superior vena cava, and right atrium, with separate lumens for draining unoxygenated blood and returning oxygenated blood to the pulmonary artery, minimizing recirculation and stabilizing the catheter position through preformed curvature and wire reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-site dual lumen catheter is used for veno-venous ECMO, then patient mobility is improved and vascular injury risk is reduced, but blood recirculation occurs and requires constant monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into two separate lumens with distinct functions: an inner lumen for draining unoxygenated blood from the right atrium and a outer lumen for returning oxygenated blood to the pulmonary artery. This segmentation prevents mixing of oxygenated and unoxygenated blood, eliminating recirculation while maintaining single-site cannulation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design uses the tricuspid valve as an intermediary structure to prevent recirculation. The inner lumen drains blood from the right atrium and the outer lumen returns blood to the pulmonary artery, with the tricuspid valve acting as a physical barrier that prevents oxygenated blood from re-entering the right atrium and being recirculated
2Reliability
If drainage apertures are placed in the right atrium away from the right ventricle, then recirculation is minimized, but the right ventricle is not actively drained
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter provides separate drainage pathways: the inner lumen drains the right atrium to prevent recirculation, while the outer lumen extends into the right ventricle to actively drain it. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of recirculation prevention and effective right ventricular drainage
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design adds a spatial dimension to drainage by extending the outer lumen beyond the right atrium into the right ventricle. This dimensional extension enables the catheter to access and drain the right ventricle while maintaining proper positioning in the right atrium for recirculation prevention
3Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter position changes due to patient movement, then recirculation increases, but constant monitoring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a flexible, dynamic design that can adapt to patient movement while maintaining functional positioning. The flexible construction allows the catheter to move with the patient's body without dislodging or becoming malpositioned, maintaining the separation between oxygenated and unoxygenated blood flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design includes features that provide feedback on its own positioning and function, allowing for automatic adjustment or detection of recirculation issues. This reduces the need for constant external monitoring while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a catheter that minimizes or eliminates the recirculation of oxygenated blood. The catheter of the present invention can be used to drain blood from multiple points in the patient, namely the superior vena cava, right atrium, and the right ventricle, while returning blood to the patient's pulmonary artery. Further, the catheter of the present invention is less likely to be moved or dislodged than catheters currently available in the art, thus making the catheter particularly useful for portable lung assist devices. The present invention also relates to methods for inserting the catheter into the patient and using the catheter with a lung assist device.