Project Description:
Heart and lung diseases, namely Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and trauma-related hemorrhage, are the leading causes of death in the United States. Heart failure affects approximately 6.2 million people, with lung disease accounting for 1 in 6 deaths yearly. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is critical to manage these diseases, and is commonly achieved through Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). MCS system deployment is highly invasive and can result in various complications, including bleeding from the heart, corporeal trauma, delayed incision site healing, and postponed resuscitation. These procedures require skilled surgeons, which is problematic under emergency circumstances. There is an urgent need for a minimally-invasive, rapidly deployable cannula system that simplifies MCS procedures, reduces tissue trauma, and mitigates cannula failures, thereby expanding access to life-saving treatments. We sought to develop a novel cannulation device that is inserted at a minimal diameter and utilizes a peripheral dilation balloon for rapid deployment. Throughout the prototyping phase, we were able to select an adequate tubing, choose a complimentary dilatation balloon, and test its ex-vivo performance. Our design aims to improve access to timely life-saving care, enhance patient recovery, cannula site healing, and quality of life post-operation.
