Universal Sealring Cannula for Organ Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannulas require an aortic patch for perfusion, which is not available from living donors or organs with limited tissue, risking damage and organ loss during transplantation.
Innovation Solution
A cannula design with a first and second circumferential portion forming a clamping surface, allowing minimal tissue engagement and optical inspection, enabling perfusion without an aortic patch and minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an aortic patch is used to facilitate cannulation, then cannulation is easier and more reliable, but the device becomes unsuitable for living donors and organs with limited tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the requirement for an aortic patch from the cannulation system. The cannula is designed to function independently without needing a Carrel patch or cuff, making it adaptable to both deceased donors with aortic patches and living donors with limited tissue availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula design achieves universality by being applicable to multiple donor types (both deceased and living donors) and multiple organ types (kidney, liver, heart, etc.). The self-contained circumferential clamping mechanism provides a universal solution that works regardless of whether an aortic patch is available.
2Ease of operation
If an aortic patch is removed or damaged during cannulation, then cannulation can be performed, but the organ may be damaged and lost during transplantation
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula applies local quality by concentrating the clamping force only at the specific site where the cannula contacts the vasculature, rather than requiring extensive aortic patch tissue. The circumferential portions engage the vasculature locally, minimizing damage while maintaining cannulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention treats the cannula as a disposable device that can be used once and then discarded, eliminating the need to preserve the aortic patch for future use. This allows aggressive cannulation techniques without concern for preserving the aorta for transplantation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimal tissue is engaged by the cannula, then tissue damage is reduced, but the clamping force and seal may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula employs curvature by using circumferential portions that wrap around the vasculature in a circular manner. This curved geometry distributes clamping force evenly around the vessel circumference, achieving sufficient total clamping force while engaging minimal tissue at any single point.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula uses composite materials, specifically the seal made from elastomeric material with Shore A hardness between 32-70, combined with the circumferential portions. This material composition provides both gentle tissue interaction (reducing damage) and sufficient clamping force through the compliant yet resilient elastomeric properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cannula design is simplified to eliminate aortic patch requirement, then versatility improves, but the sealing and clamping mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is segmented into distinct functional components: first and second circumferential portions for clamping, a seal for sealing, and a flow passage for fluid delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system that eliminates the need for aortic patch.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is nested within the chamber formed by the first and second circumferential portions. The flow passage is nested within the seal. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple functions (clamping, sealing, and fluid flow) into a compact integrated structure, reducing overall device complexity despite the eliminated aortic patch requirement.
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
Enables effective perfusion and reduced tissue damage by securing vasculature with minimal tissue engagement and allowing visual inspection for proper connection and potential issues like air bubbles or clots.
Implementation Method 1
a seal (130) configured to contact an end of the vasculature to create a seal
Implementation Method 2
The first circumferential portion (110) and the second circumferential portion (120) are configured to mutually cooperate to support a circumference of the vasculature and form a second clamping surface (134). The first clamping surface (132) and the second clamping surface (134) are configured to cooperate to secure an end of the vasculature
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cannula including a first circumferential portion, a second circumferential portion, and a seal with a first clamping surface. The first circumferential portion and the second circumferential portion are configured to mutually cooperate to support a circumference of vasculature, and form a second clamping surface. The first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are configured to cooperate to secure an end of the vasculature.