Transformable Dual Lumen Cannula for Single Incision High Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dual lumen cannulas face challenges such as patient discomfort due to multiple incision sites, increased risk of infection, and difficulty in preventing air bubbles from entering the bloodstream during insertion, while single lumen cannulas require two separate incisions and are cumbersome for high flow extracorporeal oxygenation needs.

Innovation Solution

A transformable dual lumen cannula system that allows real-time assembly of an inner lumen into an outer lumen within the body, enabling opposite flow directions and easy transformation between low and high flow configurations, reducing the need for additional incisions and simplifying the insertion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a dual lumen cannula is used, then high flow extracorporeal oxygenation is achieved, but the insertion process is complex and air bubbles may enter the bloodstream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoidinsertion process

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dual lumen cannula is divided into two separate single lumen cannulas that are inserted independently into the same blood vessel. This segmentation allows each cannula to be inserted using simple single-lumen techniques, avoiding the complexity of traditional dual lumen insertion while still achieving dual-lumen functionality within the vessel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

One single lumen cannula is inserted inside the other single lumen cannula in the same blood vessel. The inner cannula is positioned within the lumen of the outer cannula, creating a nested configuration that effectively provides dual lumen functionality without requiring a complex pre-assembled dual lumen structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Power

If two single lumen cannulas are used, then high flow is achieved, but patient discomfort and infection risk increase due to multiple incision sites

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Two separate single lumen cannulas are merged into a single blood vessel by inserting one inside the other. This consolidation reduces the number of incision sites from two to one, thereby decreasing patient discomfort and lowering the risk of infection while maintaining the ability to achieve high flow rates through both lumens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner cannula is nested within the outer cannula in the same blood vessel, allowing both cannulas to function simultaneously through a single access point. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate incisions, reducing infection risk and patient discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Power

If a dual lumen cannula is used, then high flow is achieved, but difficulty in preventing air bubbles from entering the bloodstream occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoidair bubble prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dual lumen system is segmented into two independent single lumen cannulas, each with its own separate insertion and priming process. This segmentation allows for independent air bubble prevention measures to be applied to each lumen, making it easier to ensure that no air bubbles enter the bloodstream compared to a complex pre-connected dual lumen system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each single lumen cannula is primed separately with saline before insertion to ensure no air bubbles are present. This preliminary action of priming each lumen independently before connection to the extracorporeal circuit reduces the risk of air embolisms compared to attempting to prime a complex dual lumen system after insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Power

If two single lumen cannulas are used, then high flow is achieved, but the procedure time is doubled due to repeated insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion procedures for two separate cannulas are merged into a single surgical event by inserting both cannulas through one incision site, with one cannula placed inside the other. This combined approach eliminates the need to close and reopen the incision site, significantly reducing the overall procedure time compared to performing two separate insertion procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20230095678A1Transformable dual lumen cannula into a single lumen cannula and methods of use

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 INSPIRA-TECH OXY B H N LTD

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a dual lumen cannula configured to be inserted into a patient's body as simple as a single lumen cannula. The dual lumen cannula includes at least one inner lumen configured to be inserted into an outer lumen and connected via an inner lumen connection unit and an outer unit connection unit. Embodiments of the presenting invention further allow for the connection of at least one flow router to the other end of the inner lumen connection unit. When installed, the outer lumen is first inserted into the patient's body, followed by the insertion of the inner lumen into the outer lumen of the already cannulated patient until the inner lumen connector unit is in coupling contact with the outer lumen connector unit. The invention is also directed to a transformable dual lumen cannula into a single lumen cannula and vice versa that allow patients that are first being treated by low flow approach to be treated by high flow approach.