Medical instrument handle

Abstract

A medical device handle includes an actuator, a first pulley, and a second pulley. The second pulley is movable relative to the first pulley along an axis extending between a first shaft of the first pulley and a second shaft of the second pulley. A pulling member may be wound on the first and second pulleys and coupled to the actuator, and a control member may be coupled to the second pulley. Movement of the second pulley along the axis is configured to move the control member in a direction parallel or coaxial with the axis.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 429,262, filed on Dec. 1, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to medical device handles. More specifically, some aspects of the present disclosure relate to medical device handles that include control assemblies that provide a mechanical advantage. Background Art

[0004] In a medical procedure, an operator may use a medical device that includes a handle and a shaft that extends distally from the handle. For example, the medical device may be an endoscopic medical device. The shaft of the medical device may be inserted into the working channel of an endoscope (or other scope), advanced through the working channel, and extend out of the distal opening of the working channel at the distal end of the endoscope. The operator may use the handle of the medical device to actuate the medical device. For example, the operator may actuate an actuator at the handle. In an example, the actuator may include a movable finger grip.

[0005] In some examples, actuating the actuator of the medical device may require applying a relatively large force. Accordingly, there is a need for a medical device handle that includes a control assembly that provides a mechanical advantage. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A medical device handle may include an actuator, a first pulley, and a second pulley. The second pulley may be movable relative to the first pulley along an axis extending between a first axis of the first pulley and a second axis of the second pulley. A pulling member may be wound around the first pulley and the second pulley and coupled to the actuator, and a control member may be coupled to the second pulley. Movement of the second pulley along the axis may be configured to move the control member in a direction parallel or coaxial with the axis.

[0007] Any one of the devices or methods disclosed herein may also additionally or alternatively include any of the following features. The first pulley may be fixed relative to the body of the medical device handle. Each of the traction member and the control member may include at least one of a wire, a cable, or a thread. An axis extending between the first axis of the first pulley and the second axis of the second pulley may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the medical device handle. The control member may be configured to actuate an end effector at a distal end of a shaft extending from the medical device handle. The first pulley may rotate about the first axis, and the second pulley may rotate about the second axis. An elastic member may extend between the first pulley and the second pulley. The elastic member may include a spring. The medical device handle may be configured to switch between a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration, the first pulley and the second pulley are separated by a first distance, and in the second configuration, the first pulley and the second pulley are separated by a second distance. The second distance may be less than the first distance. The elastic member may be configured to apply a restoring force to the second pulley when the medical device handle is in the second configuration. The first pulley and the second pulley may provide a mechanical advantage such that a force applied by the actuator to the traction member is less than a force applied by the second pulley to the control member. The actuator may include at least one finger ring. The second pulley may be coupled to the control member by a connector. The connector may be attached to a surface of the second pulley. The second pulley moving a certain distance along the axis may be configured to move the control member the same distance.

[0008] In another example, a medical device handle may include an actuator, a first pulley, a second pulley, a traction member wound around the first pulley and the second pulley and coupled to the actuator, and a control member coupled to the second pulley. The medical device handle may be configured to switch from a first configuration to a second configuration, in the first configuration, the first pulley and the second pulley are separated by a first distance, and in the second configuration, the first pulley and the second pulley are separated by a second distance. The second distance may be less than the first distance.

[0009] Any one of the devices or methods disclosed herein may also additionally or alternatively include any of the following features. Switching the medical device handle from the first configuration to the second configuration may cause the control member to move proximally. The movement of the control member may be configured to actuate an end effector at a distal end of a shaft extending from the medical device handle. An elastic member may extend between the first pulley and the second pulley.

[0010] In another example, a medical device handle may include an actuator, a first pulley, a second pulley, a traction member wound around the first pulley and the second pulley and coupled to the actuator, and a control member coupled to the second pulley. The actuator may be configured to move the traction member proximally, thereby causing the second pulley to move proximally relative to the first pulley, and further causing the control member to move proximally.

[0011] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are both exemplary and explanatory and do not limit the claimed invention. As used herein, the term "comprising," "including," or any other variant thereof is intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The term "exemplary" is used to mean "an example" and not "an ideal case." The term "distal" refers to the direction away from the operator / towards the treatment site, and the term "proximal" refers to the direction towards the operator. The term "about" or similar terms (e.g., "substantially") includes values within ±10% of the stated value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings incorporated in and constituting a part of this specification illustrate examples of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1 An exemplary medical device is depicted.

[0014] Figure 2 Depicts Figure 1 the control assembly of the medical device in

[0015] Figure 3A Depicts Figure 2 the control assembly in a first configuration.

[0016] Figure 3B Depicts Figure 2 the control assembly in a second configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A medical device, such as an endoscopic medical device, may include a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle. The shaft of the medical device may be inserted into the working channel of another medical device (e.g., an endoscope or other type of scope). The handle may be held outside the patient's body for manipulation by an operator. The handle may include actuators, such as one or more finger rings (e.g., at least one finger ring) and / or a slider that may slide along the axis of the handle. The actuator may be coupled to a control member (e.g., a control wire). Thus, moving the actuator proximally or distally may cause the control member to move proximally or distally, thereby actuating the medical device. For example, the actuator may be used to open / close jaws or blades, extend / retract a snare, needle, basket, or other device, deploy the medical device, suture tissue, cut tissue, or perform any other related operation. When used alone or in conjunction with an endoscope or other type of scope, the shaft of the medical device may pass through one or more tortuous body cavities. The tortuosity and / or length of the shaft may require the operator to apply a relatively large force to the actuator to move the actuator and actuate the medical device.

[0018] To reduce the force required for an operator to actuate a medical device, the handle may include one or more pulleys. For example, the handle may include a fixed pulley and a movable pulley. The movable pulley may be coupled to a control member. An actuator may be coupled to a pulling member (e.g., a wire, a cord, etc.) wound around the pulley. As the actuator moves proximally, the movable pulley may move proximally, thereby moving the control member proximally and actuating the medical device. When the actuator moves distally and / or is released, a spring between the fixed pulley and the movable pulley may return the movable pulley to the unactuated position (i.e., move the movable pulley distally). The pulley may reduce the force that needs to be applied to the actuator to move the control member proximally.

[0019] Figure 1 An exemplary medical device 10 is depicted, which may include a handle 12 and an insertion portion / shaft 14. The handle 12 may be coupled to a shaft (not shown), which may terminate at a distal end. As discussed below, the handle 12 may be used to actuate an end effector 16. The end effector 16 may include any type of component at the distal end of the medical device, including, for example, a snare ( Figure 1 as shown), a basket, a balloon, a stent delivery system, forceps, a stapler, a needle, a cauterizing device, a suturing device, a drug delivery system, a patch delivery system, or any other example. The longitudinal axis L of the handle 12 may extend in the proximal / distal direction.

[0020] The handle 12 may include an actuator 20. As Figure 1 shown, the actuator 20 may include a slider with a finger ring 22. This configuration is merely exemplary, and other configurations of the actuator 20 (e.g., a plunger, a slider without a finger ring, or a rod) may also be employed. The actuator 20 may move proximally and distally along the shaft 24 of the handle 12 (in the directions indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 ). The shaft 24 may include a thumb ring 26 at its proximal end. The actuator 20 may move proximally until it reaches the thumb ring 26 or until it reaches another stop. In some examples, Figure 1 the configuration of the actuator 20 in may be the configuration where the actuator 20 is in its most distal possible position. For example, the proximal portion of the body 28 of the handle 12 may serve as the distal stop for the actuator 20, preventing the actuator 20 from moving further distally. The shapes and relative dimensions of the actuator 20, the shaft 24, and the body 28 are merely exemplary, and other arrangements may also be considered within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the actuator 20 is depicted as an actuator manually actuated by an operator, it should be understood that the actuator 20 may also be configured to be actuated by a robot additionally or alternatively.

[0021] The actuator 20 may include an attachment 30 for coupling the actuator 20 to a control assembly 100 (discussed below in connection with Figures 2 to 3BFor a detailed discussion). For example, as discussed below, the attachment 30 can directly or indirectly couple the actuator 20 to a wire, cord, thread, cable, or other structure. The attachment 30 can include a pin, post, rivet, crimp, clamp, adhesive, tie, buckle, or other structure. As the actuator 20 moves proximally or distally, a portion of the wire, cord, or other structure coupled to the actuator 20 by the attachment 30 can also move proximally or distally, respectively. As discussed below, the movement of the wire, cord, or other structure can actuate the end effector 16 through other elements of the handle 12 (e.g., in the case of the illustrated snare, opening / closing the snare).

[0022] Figure 2 depicts the control assembly 100. Figure 3A depicts the control assembly 100 in a first configuration, Figure 3B depicts the control assembly 100 in a second configuration. The elements of the control assembly 100 can be disposed within the body 28 of the handle 12 or within other portions of the handle 12 and / or the shaft 14. The control assembly 100 can include a pull wire 102 or other type of pulling member. Although the term "pull wire" is used herein, it should be understood that the pull wire 102 can include a wire, cord, cable, and / or other structures (e.g., at least one of a wire, thread, cable, or cord). As discussed in further detail above and below, the pull wire 102 can be coupled to the actuator 20 (e.g., by an attachment 30 as Figure 3A and Figure 3B shown). In Figure 3A and Figure 3B are cross-sectional views of the actuator 20 taken along the longitudinal axis L of the handle 12 (in the proximal / distal direction).

[0023] The control assembly 100 may also include a first pulley 104 and a second pulley 106. In some examples, the first pulley 104 may be proximal to the second pulley 106 (i.e., the second pulley 106 may be distal to the first pulley 104). The first pulley 104 may be fixed axially (i.e., along the longitudinal axis L of the device 10 / handle 12) and laterally (i.e., transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the device 10 / handle 12) relative to the body 28 of the handle 12 (and / or, for example, the housing of the handle 12). The first pulley 104 may rotate about a first axis 114 that may extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Alternatively, the first pulley 104 may not be able to rotate about the first axis 114. In some examples, the first axis 114 or another element of the first pulley 104 may be fixedly coupled to the base 140, allowing the first pulley 104 to rotate about the first axis 114. The base 140 may include a portion of the housing of the handle 12 (such as the housing of the body 28), or may be a separate element within the housing of the handle 12. Fixing the first axis 114 or another element of the first pulley 104 to the base 140 may inhibit / prevent the first pulley 104 from moving axially and laterally as discussed above.

[0024] The second pulley 106 may rotate about a second axis 116 that may extend generally parallel to the first axis 114 and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Alternatively, the second pulley 106 may not be able to rotate about the second axis 116. The second pulley 106 may move along an axis A that extends between the first axis 114 and the second axis 116 (when the first pulley 104 may be fixed relative to the body 28 or another portion of the handle 12 along the axis A that extends between the first axis 114 and the second axis 116, as discussed above). For example, the axis A may be coaxial or parallel with the longitudinal axis L, and the second pulley 106 may move axially along the longitudinal axis L or parallel to the longitudinal axis L relative to the first pulley 104. Alternatively, the axis A may be transverse to the longitudinal axis L.

[0025] The second pulley 106 may be restricted from moving laterally in a direction transverse to (a) the axis A and / or (b) the longitudinal axis L. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the base 140 may include a slot 150. The slot 150 may extend generally parallel to or coaxial with the longitudinal axis L, and / or generally parallel to or coaxial with the axis A. The second axis 116 or another element of the second pulley 106 may move within the slot 150. The slot 150 may restrict the second pulley 106 from moving laterally. The slot 150 is merely exemplary, and additional or alternative structures (such as sidewalls, rails, etc.) may be used to restrict the second pulley 106 so that it moves only in the desired direction (e.g., axially rather than laterally).

[0026] One or more control wires 120 or other types of control members may be coupled to the second pulley 106 via a connector 122. Although the term "control wire" is used herein, it should be understood that the control wire 120 may additionally or alternatively include a cable, wire, string, or other structure along all or a portion of its length. Figures 2 to 3B Two control wires 120 are depicted. Each control wire 120 may be coupled, for example, to the legs of a snare forming the end effector 16. Proximal movement of the control wires 120 may cause the legs of the snare to collapse and retract into the sheath of the shaft 14. Distal movement of the control wires 120 may cause the legs of the snare to deploy and extend distally of the shaft 14. However, a single control wire 120 may be used to actuate the end effector 16, or more than two control wires 120 may be used to actuate the end effector 16. The number and arrangement of the control wires 120 may depend on the type of end effector 16. The control wires 120 may be separate elements from the traction wire 102 (i.e., the control wires 120 may not be integrally formed with the traction wire 102).

[0027] The connector 122 may be coupled to the second pulley 106 (e.g., securely coupled to the second pulley 106). The control wire 120 may also be coupled to the connector 122 (e.g., by crimping, adhesive, screws, rivets, clamps, interference fit, knots, or other fastening means, or any other suitable mechanism). As shown in the figure, the connector 122 may include an arm 124 and a body 126. The arm 124 may be coupled / attached to one face / surface of the second pulley 106 (a portion of the second pulley 106 on which the traction wire 102 is not wound). The body 126 may be distal to the arm 124 and distal to the second pulley 106. The arm 124 may be thinner than the body 126, as it may be desirable for the connector 122 to have a thinner profile along a portion of its extension along the second pulley 106 (i.e., the arm 124). A portion of the base 140 may include a recess 142 for receiving the arm 124 as it moves proximally along the base 140 (see Figure 3A ). The proximal edge 144 of the recess 142 may act as a stop for the arm 124 such that when the proximal end of the arm 124 contacts the proximal edge 144, further proximal movement of the arm 124 and the second pulley 106 is prevented. The configuration of the connector 122 is merely exemplary, and the control wire 120 may be coupled to the second pulley 106 in any desired manner. For example, one or more arms may extend from the second shaft 116 and may be coupled to the control wire 120.

[0028] The pulling wire 102 can be wound around the first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 in any suitable manner. The first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 can form a compound pulley system. The pulling wire 102, the first pulley 104, and the second pulley 106 can be arranged in any known or yet-to-be-known compound pulley arrangement. Although the drawings depict the first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 in a linear arrangement (longitudinal axis L extending through or generally parallel to the first shaft 114 and the second shaft 116), this arrangement is merely exemplary. The first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 can be offset from each other in the transverse (or other) direction. Additionally, although two pulleys 104, 106 are depicted, other numbers of pulleys (such as three, four, or five pulleys) can also be used.

[0029] The pulling wire 102 can be wound around the pulleys 104, 106 in any suitable manner as discussed below. As the pulling wire 102 is moved proximally to transition the control assembly 100 to Figure 3B a second configuration (e.g., by an operator moving the actuator 20 proximally), the pulling wire 102 can interact with the first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 (e.g., by causing the first pulley 104 and / or the second pulley 106 to rotate about the shafts 114, 116 respectively, or by moving relative to the first pulley 104 and / or the second pulley 106) to move the second pulley 106 proximally. The proximal movement of the second pulley 106 in turn applies a force to the control wire 120 (e.g., via the connector 122), causing the control wire 120 to move proximally. This proximal movement of the control wire 120 can actuate the end effector 16 (e.g., closing the Figure 1 snare shown or performing any other desired action).

[0030] The control assembly 100 can be configured such that the second pulley 106 moves a certain amount to move the control wire 120 (e.g., the proximal end of the control wire 120) the same amount. In other words, a change in the distance between the first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 corresponds to moving the control wire 120 the same amount (equal to the change in distance). For example, in Figure 3A a first configuration, the first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 can be separated by a first distance. In Figure 3B as shown by the arrow, the actuator 20 can be moved proximally, which in turn can move the proximal end of the pulling wire 102 proximally. This can cause the second pulley 106 to move along axis A (e.g., proximally) such that the first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106 are separated by a second distance that is less than the first distance in the first configuration. The difference between the first distance and the second distance can correspond to the amount the control wire 120 moves proximally (e.g., the amount the proximal end of the control wire 120 moves proximally).

[0031] The pulleys 104, 106 can provide a mechanical advantage. In other words, the force applied to the actuator 20 can be less than the force transmitted to the control wire 120. The pulleys 104, 106 can amplify the force applied to the actuator 20. In other words, for a given force required to move the control wire 120, only a smaller force may be required on the actuator 20. During a medical procedure, the shaft 14 of the device 10 can be inserted into a tortuous body cavity or otherwise subjected to forces that require a greater force to be applied to the control wire 120 than when the shaft 14 is straight. In the absence of the pulleys 104, 106, the greater force that would need to be applied to the actuator 20 in such a configuration can be difficult for the operator. The mechanical advantage provided by the pulleys 104, 106 can reduce the magnitude of the force that needs to be applied to the actuator 20. This mechanical advantage exists when the shaft 14 is in both straight and bent configurations. This mechanical advantage can be particularly beneficial when the shaft 14 is bent (e.g., in a tortuous body cavity) or when the force required to move the control wire 120 otherwise increases.

[0032] The elastic member 130 can extend between the first pulley 104 and the second pulley 106. For example, the elastic member 130 can be fixed at a first end to the first shaft 114 of the first pulley 104 and at a second end to the second shaft 116 of the second pulley 106. The elastic member 130 can be biased to a configuration corresponding to the unactuated configuration of the end effector 16 (e.g., a deployed, retracted, open, closed, or undeployed, etc. configuration). Thus, when the actuator 20 is released, the elastic member 130 can apply a restoring force to return the second pulley 106 (and the control wire 120) to their biased configuration (e.g., Figure 3A the first configuration). For example, when the actuator 20 is moved proximally as Figure 3B shown to actuate the device 10, causing the second pulley 106 to move proximally, and then the actuator 20 is released or moved distally, the elastic member 130 can apply a distal force to the second pulley 106 and move it distally. Although the elastic member 130 is depicted as a helical spring, it should be understood that alternative structures can be used (e.g., leaf springs, air compression pistons, or structures with shape memory). Alternatively, the elastic member 130 can be omitted, or can be positioned between alternative structures (e.g., between the second pulley 106 and the housing of the handle 12). Alternatives to the elastic member 130 can include additional actuators (e.g., an actuator attached to the second shaft 116 and extending through the housing of the handle 12), or other structures for moving the second pulley 106. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator 20 can include a lock for holding the second pulley 106 / control wire 120 / end effector 16 in a desired configuration (e.g., the configuration where the second pulley 106 / control wire 120 has moved proximally).

[0033] Although the principles of the present disclosure have been described with reference to examples of specific applications, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art, after obtaining the teachings provided herein, will recognize that additional modifications, applications, and equivalent substitutions all fall within the scope of the examples described herein. Therefore, the present invention should not be considered limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A medical device handle, comprising: An actuator; A first pulley; A second pulley, wherein the second pulley is movable relative to the first pulley along an axis extending between a first axis of the first pulley and a second axis of the second pulley; A tension member wound around the first pulley and the second pulley and coupled to the actuator; And A control member coupled to the second pulley, wherein movement of the second pulley along the axis is configured to move the control member in a direction parallel or coaxial with the axis.

2. The medical device handle according to claim 1, wherein the first pulley is fixed relative to the body of the medical device handle.

3. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the tension member and the control member comprises at least one of a wire, a cable, or a thread.

4. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axis extending between the first axis of the first pulley and the second axis of the second pulley is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the medical device handle.

5. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control member is configured to actuate an end effector at a distal end of an axis extending from the medical device handle.

6. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pulley is rotatable about the first axis, and wherein the second pulley is rotatable about the second axis.

7. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an elastic member extending between the first pulley and the second pulley.

8. The medical device handle according to claim 7, wherein the elastic member comprises a spring.

9. The medical device handle according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the medical device handle is configured to switch between a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration, the first pulley and the second pulley are separated by a first distance, in the second configuration, the first pulley and the second pulley are separated by a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

10. The medical device handle according to claim 9, wherein the elastic member is configured to apply a restoring force to the second pulley when the medical device handle is in the second configuration.

11. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pulley and the second pulley provide a mechanical advantage such that the force exerted by the actuator on the tension member is less than the force exerted by the second pulley on the control member.

12. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator comprises at least one finger ring.

13. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pulley is coupled to the control member by a connector.

14. The medical device handle according to claim 13, wherein the connector is attached to a surface of the second pulley.

15. The medical device handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement of the second pulley along the axis by a certain distance is configured to move the control member by the same distance.

Images