Inflow/Outflow Cannula With Graft Anchoring Against Thrombus and Erosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannulas used for creating flow conduits within the heart often cause thrombus formation and tissue erosion due to their design, which extends into the heart tissue and disrupts blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A cannula apparatus with an anchoring structure featuring elongate members and a graft portion that deploys against the tissue wall, stabilizing the cannula and minimizing thrombus formation by maintaining contact with the tissue while reducing surface disturbances and erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cannula extends into the heart tissue to provide anchoring, then the cannula stability is improved, but thrombus formation and tissue erosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into distinct functional segments: an anchoring structure with elongate members for stability, a graft portion for thrombus prevention, and a conduit for fluid flow. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The graft portion acts as an intermediary between the cannula's anchoring structure and the heart tissue. It provides a biocompatible surface that prevents direct contact between the metallic anchoring members and the tissue, thereby reducing thrombus formation and tissue erosion while maintaining anchoring stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cannula is anchored against the tissue wall to stabilize blood flow, then blood flow stability is improved, but surface disturbances and tissue erosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The graft portion functions as a flexible thin film that conforms to the tissue wall surface. This flexible shell smooths out surface irregularities and eliminates disturbances to blood flow while protecting the underlying tissue from erosion caused by the anchoring structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula combines different materials with complementary properties: the anchoring members provide structural stability, while the graft portion made of biocompatible material provides a smooth, non-thrombogenic surface that protects the tissue and maintains stable blood flow.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the inlet portion is designed to conform to tissue wall, then tissue erosion is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet portion is pre-formed with a configuration designed to conform to the tissue wall. This preliminary shaping allows the component to automatically adapt to the tissue surface upon deployment, reducing tissue erosion without requiring complex active adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that may include an inflow or outflow cannula apparatus. The inflow or outflow cannula apparatus may include a conduit having an exterior surface and an interior surface, an inlet portion arranged at a first end of the conduit including a plurality of elongate members arranged about a circumference of the inlet portion configured to deploy against a tissue wall, and a graft portion covering and arranged between the plurality of elongate members and extending along the interior surface of the conduit.