Triple Brimmed Venovenous ECMO Cannula for Pediatric Blood Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current venovenous ECMO cannulas face challenges in pediatric patients due to inadequate blood collection and supply capacity, leading to discomfort, vessel damage, infection risks, and inefficiencies in blood flow, which limits the effectiveness and safety of ECMO treatment, particularly in infants under ten kilograms.
Innovation Solution
A dual lumen triple brimmed ECMO cannula with an elliptical cross-section, anti-bacterial coating, and multiple indicators for precise positioning, featuring adjustable venous and arterial openings to enhance blood flow and reduce recirculation, along with a secure ear clamp to prevent displacement, designed to accommodate varying patient sizes and anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If larger cannulas are used to improve blood collection and supply capacity, then blood flow performance is improved, but patient discomfort and risk of vessel damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into multiple lumens (at least two lumens) within a single catheter body, allowing separate venous drainage and arterial reinfusion channels. This segmentation enables adequate blood flow capacity without requiring a single large-bore cannula, thus reducing vessel damage risk while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
One cannula design nests multiple functional channels within a single outer structure, where smaller internal lumens are contained within the larger cannula body. This nesting approach provides sufficient blood collection and supply capacity through multiple concurrent flows without needing to insert larger individual cannulas that would cause vessel damage.
2Measurement precision
If echocardiography device is used to detect cannula position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and special experience requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula incorporates radiopaque markers or indicators that change appearance under imaging, allowing visualization of cannula position and orientation. These markers provide clear visual cues for correct placement without requiring complex echocardiography interpretation, reducing the need for special operator experience while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula design includes self-indicating features such as radiopaque markers, directional indicators, or visual cues that automatically show position and orientation information. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external imaging devices and specialized operator skills, as the cannula itself provides the necessary positioning information.
3Productivity
If cannula is placed to achieve optimal position, then blood flow performance is improved, but cannula displacement risk increases with patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula combines multiple functional elements including fixation mechanisms, radiopaque markers, and flow optimization features into a single integrated device. The fixation elements (such as fixation wings or anchoring structures) are merged with the cannula body to maintain optimal position stability despite patient movement, while preserving blood flow performance through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula incorporates preliminary fixation features such as fixation wings, anchoring structures, or securing elements that are pre-positioned during insertion to prevent subsequent displacement. This preliminary action ensures stable positioning is established before patient movement occurs, maintaining both blood flow performance and position stability throughout treatment.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If long-term cannula placement is used to reduce hospitalization time, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is constructed from composite materials that combine biocompatible polymers with antimicrobial properties. This composite structure allows for prolonged indweller duration by providing inherent resistance to infection, enabling long-term placement to reduce hospitalization time without proportionally increasing infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula incorporates antimicrobial coatings or materials that utilize oxidation mechanisms to prevent bacterial growth and infection. This protective feature enables safe long-term placement by actively combating microbial contamination, thus allowing extended duration of action without proportionally increasing infection risk.
5Device complexity
If single lumen cannula is used to simplify design, then device complexity is reduced, but blood flow capacity and recirculation prevention are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is segmented into multiple lumens within a single catheter body, with each lumen dedicated to specific functions (venous drainage, arterial reinfusion). This segmentation provides adequate blood flow capacity and prevents recirculation by separating flow paths, while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure compared to multiple separate cannulas.
Solution Approach 2:
The design merges multiple functional channels into a single integrated cannula structure, combining venous and arterial pathways in one device. This merging approach maintains blood flow capacity and prevents recirculation through internal separation of lumens, while simplifying the overall system compared to using multiple separate cannulas.
6Stability of the object's composition
If rigid cannula structure is used to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but ease of insertion and adaptability to patient anatomy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula incorporates dynamic characteristics with flexible or semi-flexible construction that allows the structure to adapt to patient anatomy during insertion and positioning. The material properties enable the cannula to bend and conform to vascular pathways while maintaining sufficient structural stability to prevent collapse and maintain lumens patent throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula utilizes flexible shell construction with appropriate wall thickness to balance structural stability and anatomical adaptability. The flexible material allows easy insertion and conforming to patient anatomy while the engineered wall strength maintains lumens open and prevents structural failure, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention is related to a dual lumen triple brimmed venovenous ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) cannula (1).