3D-Printed Cannula
Supervised development and testing of a unique 3D-printed FR6 drainage cannula with extra drainage holes, bimaterial reinforcement, and tapered end with open lumen. None of these features were available on any 6Fr cannula..
Published Abstract: https://asaio.org/conference/Program/2024/BIO21.cgi
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) requires cannulas or catheters for vascular access that are dependent on each patient's needs, size, and unique vascular anatomy. There are currently no commercially available drainage cannulas suitable for patients smaller than 1.5 kg. This study presents the development of a novel 6 Fr cannula for blood drainage to be used in these small patients. Cannulas were manufactured using stereolithography 3D-printing on Form 3 and Form 3B 3D printers and tested in vitro using 3% glycerol. Drainage pressure at 100 mL/min was −39±4 mmHg and −42.3±18 mmHg, for Form 3 and Form 3B respectively. Cannulas collapsed at a drainage pressure of −80±3 mmHg (flow rate = 185.8±30 mL/min) and −85.7±23 mmHg (flow rate = 165±42 mL/min), for Form 3 and Form 3B respectively. Three Form 3B cannulas were tested in vivo in an ECLS piglet model, the best of which collapsed at -32 mmHg drainage pressure (flow rate = 139 mL/min). Cannulas 3D-printed using the Form 3 and Form 3B printers exhibited appropriate size and flow rates (~100 mL/kg/min) for ECLS needed to support small patients with minimal complexity in the fabrication process. In addition, these cannulas could be used in preclinical research involving small animals.
