Floating Spinal Cannula for Dynamic Cord Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The delivery of therapeutic agents to the spinal cord poses a risk of damaging axonal tracts due to the movement of the spinal cord during injection, as existing methods require a fixed cannula that can shift with respiratory and cardiac rhythms.
Innovation Solution
A floating spinal cannula system comprising a deployable cannula member, a fluid delivery line, a support cannula, and a delivery cannula with a locking mechanism, allowing the cannula to maintain a flexible configuration that moves with the spinal cord, preventing damage from movement while ensuring stable delivery of therapeutic agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cannula is fixed to the spine to prevent shifting during injection, then the cannula stability is improved, but the spinal cord may be damaged due to movement during respiration and cardiac rhythm
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula system is divided into two distinct segments: a fixed support cannula that anchors to the spine for stability, and a floating deployable cannula that moves with the spinal cord. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other - the support provides anchoring stability while the deployable portion accommodates physiological movements
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery line acts as an intermediary element connecting the fixed support cannula to the floating deployable cannula. This intermediary allows the distal end to follow spinal cord movements while the proximal end remains stable for fluid delivery, effectively mediating between the stationary and moving components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cannula is made flexible to move with the spinal cord, then the risk of spinal cord damage is reduced, but the cannula may shift or dislodge during injection
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cannula into a flexible floating portion that moves with the spinal cord and a rigid support portion that provides stability. The floating deployable cannula can accommodate physiological movements while the fixed support cannula prevents dislodgment, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The floating deployable cannula is nested within or alongside the fixed support cannula structure. The support cannula receives and stabilizes the fluid delivery line that connects to the deployable cannula, creating a nested configuration where the inner moving component is supported by the outer stationary component
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a fixed cannula is used for prolonged injection, then the injection stability is improved, but the spinal cord movements during respiration and cardiac rhythm cause potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula system transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic configuration where the deployable cannula can move with the spinal cord during respiration and cardiac cycles. This dynamic adaptation allows prolonged injection procedures to continue safely while accommodating physiological movements
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the cannula into fixed and floating portions, the system enables long-duration injections to proceed with the stable proximal connection while the distal floating portion continuously adapts to spinal cord movements, preventing damage over extended time periods
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal cannula for delivering a therapeutic agent to a spinal cord target includes proximal and distal end portions, a middle portion, and a deployable cannula member having distal and proximal end portions and a first lumen extending between the end portions. The spinal cannula includes a fluid delivery line operably connected to the proximal end portion of the deployable cannula member, and a fluid delivery line including a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen. The spinal cannula includes a support cannula proximally located from the deployable cannula member and securely connected to a portion of the fluid delivery line. Additionally, the spinal cannula includes a delivery cannula having distal and proximal end portions and a third lumen extending between the end portions for receiving the support cannula. The proximal end portion includes a locking mechanism for releasably engaging the proximal end portion of the support cannula.