Segmented Cannula Protective Element for Kink Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable cannulas, such as grafts, are prone to kinking, compression, and damage during implantation due to their flexibility, which complicates their handling and increases the risk of mechanical stress during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cannula assembly featuring a protective element with segments that form a guide channel to minimize mechanical stress, allowing axial and rotational movements, and connection elements for secure yet removable segments, ensuring the cannula is safeguarded from damage during implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cannula is made flexible to enable implantation, then the ease of implantation is improved, but the risk of kinking and compression increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other, allowing the structure to accommodate flexible cannula movements while maintaining protection against kinking and compression during implantation and operation
2Reliability
If a protective element is added to safeguard the cannula, then the mechanical protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is segmented into multiple movable parts that can be independently positioned, providing comprehensive mechanical protection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not significantly increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element is designed to envelop the cannula in a nested configuration, with the cannula positioned within the protective element's channel, providing protection without adding significant external complexity to the device
3Ease of operation
If the protective element allows axial and rotational movements, then the flexibility and ease of use are improved, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element incorporates dynamic capabilities with segments that can move axially and rotate relative to each other, allowing the structure to adapt to implantation requirements and physiological movements while maintaining structural stability through controlled mobility
Data Source
AI summary
A cannula assembly is provided, the cannula assembly comprising a cannula, in particular a graft, for forming a flow channel for bodily fluids, in particular for blood, and a protective element for the cannula, wherein the protective element defines a channel for the cannula, wherein the cannula runs through the channel of the protective element at least in sections, wherein the protective element comprises a plurality of segments, wherein the segments are arranged next to one another in a sequence and wherein each segment defines a sub-section of the channel of the protective element. A blood pump assembly and a method for using the cannula assembly and the blood pump assembly are also provided.