Magnetic Ventricular Connector for Off-Pump Cannulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching cannulas to the heart during cardiac mechanical circulatory support are cumbersome, often requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, and result in increased surgical time and risk of cardiac damage due to improper alignment and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic connector system that allows for quick and secure attachment of a cannula to the heart using magnetic forces, enabling easy connection and disconnection without cardiopulmonary bypass, and includes a balloon catheter for visualizing the cannula orientation to prevent cardiac damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ligature or polymeric band methods are used to secure the inflow tube, then a adequate seal can be made and the pump inflow tube is held in place, but the connection becomes difficult to change orientation or remove, and surgical time increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic connection system transitions from static mechanical fastening (ligatures that must be untied) to dynamic magnetic attraction that can be easily overcome by applying slight force. The magnetic force provides reliable sealing while allowing simple disengagement when repositioning is needed, resolving the contradiction between secure sealing and ease of repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems (ligatures, polymeric bands, screws) with a magnetic field-based connection system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical tightening and untangling operations, enabling quick attachment and detachment while maintaining secure sealing, thus improving both reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If traditional mechanical connection methods are used, then the inflow tube can be secured to the ventricle, but the surgical time increases substantially due to multiple steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate modular components: a first member with a magnet attached to the inflow tube, and a second member with a magnet attached to the ventricle. This segmentation allows for simple, independent attachment of each component, eliminating complex multi-step mechanical fastening procedures and substantially reducing surgical time while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical fastening operations (tying ligatures, tightening polymeric bands, securing screws) with rapid magnetic attraction. The magnetic connection provides secure anchoring in a single attachment motion, reducing surgical time from multiple steps to essentially one action while maintaining connection security.
3Reliability
If cardiopulmonary bypass is used to support the heart during surgery, then the patient can undergo ventricular apex cannulation, but post bypass cognitive dysfunction occurs with significant permanent reduction in mental capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic connection system enables off-pump ventricular apex cannulation by providing a simple, rapid attachment method that eliminates the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The magnetic force provides secure connection without requiring the complex mechanical bypass system, thereby eliminating the harmful cognitive side effects while maintaining cannulation feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic connection system allows the heart to maintain its own pumping function during the procedure without requiring external cardiopulmonary bypass support. The simple magnetic attachment enables the surgeon to perform cannulation while the heart continues to pump, eliminating the need for bypass and its associated cognitive complications.
4Reliability
If proper alignment of the inflow cannula is achieved through traditional methods, then pumping performance and safety are improved, but the complexity of alignment procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic alignment system uses preliminary magnetic attraction to automatically draw the inflow tube and ventricle components into proper alignment before final connection. The magnetic force guides the components into the correct spatial relationship, eliminating complex manual alignment procedures while ensuring optimal pumping performance and safety.
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 magnetic connector system reduces surgical time, minimizes cardiac damage, and allows for easy repositioning of cannulas, eliminating the need for cardiopulmonary bypass and reducing post-surgical cognitive dysfunction.
Implementation Method 1
when the first magnet is placed in proximity to the second magnet, the first member and second member are held substantially concentric and in proximity by magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic coupling for connecting a cannula to the apex of a ventricle comprising a first member having a first orifice, a first magnetic material attached to the first member, a means for attaching a cannula to the first member, a second member having a second orifice, a second magnetic material attached to the second member, a means for attaching the second member to a ventricle, so that when the first magnet is placed in proximity to the second magnet the first member and second member are held substantially concentric by magnetic force to allow for the communication of fluid between the first and second orifices.