ECMO Cannula Balloon Cuff Layout to Prevent Occlusion and Blood Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ECMO methods cause blood flow restriction, occlusion, and mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, leading to potential organ damage and limb loss due to the use of cannulas with diameters similar to the arteries, especially in veno-arterial ECMO.
Innovation Solution
A cannula and balloon system that includes a balloon cuff to secure the cannula within the vessel, preventing occlusion and mixing by separating oxygenated and deoxygenated blood flows, with dual cannulas for venous-venous and venous-arterial insertion options, and a balloon cuff to maintain vessel circumference and prevent recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cannula with diameter similar to the artery is used for ECMO, then blood flow capacity is sufficient, but occlusion of the vessel and restriction of blood flow to peripheral limbs occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The blood flow path is segmented into two separate cannulas: one for draining deoxygenated blood and another for returning oxygenated blood. This segmentation allows each cannula to have optimized diameter and positioning, preventing occlusion while maintaining sufficient total blood flow capacity for ECMO operation
Solution Approach 2:
A balloon catheter is introduced as an intermediary device to actively manage blood flow around the cannulas. The balloon can be inflated to redirect blood flow away from the cannula openings, preventing occlusion and ensuring continuous flow to peripheral limbs while maintaining adequate ECMO blood flow
2Device complexity
If a single cannula is used for blood drainage and reinfusion, then device complexity is reduced, but mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single cannula is divided into two separate cannulas: a drainage cannula for removing deoxygenated blood and a reinfusion cannula for returning oxygenated blood. This physical separation eliminates the risk of mixing between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, ensuring reliable oxygenation efficiency while the modular design keeps overall system complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon catheter serves as an intermediary that actively prevents mixing by creating flow separation. When inflated, it directs deoxygenated blood toward the drainage cannula and oxygenated blood toward the reinfusion cannula, ensuring functional separation even when cannulas are positioned close together
3Ease of operation
If cannula is inserted into the vessel, then blood can be accessed for ECMO, but recirculation of blood occurs reducing ECMO efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon catheter acts as an intermediary flow control device that prevents recirculation. By inflating the balloon at strategic positions, it creates flow directionality that ensures deoxygenated blood is drawn toward the drainage cannula and oxygenated blood is directed toward peripheral circulation, eliminating recirculation loops while maintaining simple cannula insertion procedures
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
The system ensures uninterrupted blood flow, reduces the risk of occlusion and mixing, and maintains oxygenated blood delivery to peripheral limbs, enhancing ECMO efficacy and preventing organ damage.
Implementation Method 1
a cannula and balloon system that includes a balloon cuff to secure the cannula within the vessel
Implementation Method 2
preventing occlusion and mixing by separating oxygenated and deoxygenated blood flows
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for a cannula and balloon system for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The system may comprise one or more cannula, one or more insertion mechanism, and one or more balloon cuff. The method may comprise venous-venous or venous-arterial insertion into one or more blood vessels or chambers of the heart. The balloon cuff may allow fluid flow to avoid oxygenated blood restriction to a region of the body for the cannula insertion duration. One or both the balloon cuff and dual cannula may prevent occlusion, recirculation, and mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. When there is a dual cannula, the cannula may comprise a reinfusion cannula and a drainage cannula. A reinfusion cannula may bypass one or more chambers of the heart. When the system comprises more than one cannula, the cannulae may be joined via a cannula connection mechanism.