Megha Jacob
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Joseph Potkay
Research Mentor School/College/Department: VA Medical Center & UM Surgery / Medicine
Program:
Authors: Megha Jacob, Andrew Zhang, Sam Blum, Daniela Pelaez-Palacio, George Mychaliska, Alvaro Rojas-Pena, Joseph Potkay
Session: Session 3: 11:00 am – 11: 50 am
Poster: 48
Abstract
Objective: Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) requires drainage and reinfusion cannulas for vascular access. However, extremely premature infants require drainage cannulas smaller than what is commercially available. 3D printing has been used to manufacture custom cannulas for patients with unique anatomies in other applications. Here we summarize a 3D printing method to produce custom cannulas with suitable dimensions and fluidic properties for right-atrium drainage in <2 kg patients. Methods: A 90 mm drainage cannula was designed on Solidworks and printed on SLA printers. It had a 50 mm 6Fr section, which expanded into a 40 mm 8Fr section that could be advanced as the infant grew. It also had a tapered tip with 16 side holes distributed up to 20 mm from the tip. The cannulas were tested in vitro by simulating an ECLS circuit consisting of a drainage cannula connected to a centrifugal pump, transducers, and flow probes. A water-glycerol mixture was used to simulate the viscosity of blood. The resulting pressure loss was measured at various flow rates up until the point of collapse. Commercial Medtronic 6Fr infusion and 8Fr drainage cannulas were used as controls. Cannulas were coated with carbosil to improve biocompatibility in anticipation of future studies. Results: The cannulas sustained an average pressure of -39 ± 2.6 mmHg at 100 mL/min and collapsed at -80 mmHg at 185.8 ± 15.1 mL/min. The 3D printed cannulas demonstrated greater resistance compared to commercial cannulas but still sustained flows of 100 mL/min. Conclusion: The 3D printed cannulas had suitable flow rates for ECLS and are of suitable geometry to perform right-atrium drainage in extremely premature infants. In the future, NO-releasing carbosil will be added to the cannulas and the biocompatibility will be assessed via in vivo tests in a piglet model.
