Device for implanting artificial cochlea electrode at constant speed

Abstract

The invention discloses a device for implanting an artificial cochlea electrode at a constant speed. The device comprises a shell, a rotating cap, a linkage device, a movable cylinder, a normally-closed clamping device, an opening promoting device and a driving device, the rotating cap is rotatably mounted on the shell; an elastic locking device is arranged between the rotating cap and the shell; the driving device is arranged in the shell and is used for driving the rotating cap to rotate; the linkage device is mounted in the shell and is in synchronous running fit with the rotating cap; the movable cylinder is used for moving in the axial direction of the shell when the linkage device rotates. The normally closed clamping device is mounted on the movable cylinder and is used for clamping an artificial cochlea electrode; the opening promoting device is installed on the inner side of the rotating cap and used for promoting the normally-closed clamping device to be opened. An electric driving mode is adopted for propelling, so that the propelling speed is constant, stable and reliable work is ensured, the propelling speed and strength can be adjusted according to using requirements, using is flexible, and the functions of real-time force feedback and motion data collection are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cochlear implant electrode implantation devices, and particularly to a device for uniformly implanting cochlear implant electrodes. Background Art

[0002] In cochlear implant surgery, the cochlear implant electrode is implanted into the cochlear spiral structure along the cochlear base during the operation. Successful electrode implantation requires the operation process to be "slow, stable, and accurate" to avoid mechanical damage to the cochlear tissue, especially the spiral nerve endings, reduce the risk of postoperative complications (such as dizziness, auditory nerve injury, and electrode displacement), and preserve residual hearing. However, most cochlear implant electrodes currently in clinical use still rely on manual advancement by the operator, with a high dependence on the operator's experience and it is difficult to maintain a constant advancement speed.

[0003] To solve the above problems, electric cochlear implant electrode implantation devices have emerged on the market to make the advancement speed constant. However, it is easy for the cochlear implant electrode to become loose from the clamping device during advancement, resulting in unstable operation. Moreover, the existing cochlear implant electrode implantation devices are either manually advanced or electrically driven, and cannot combine these two propulsion methods of manual advancement and electric drive, so they cannot be used flexibly according to the usage requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for uniformly implanting cochlear implant electrodes, which can be advanced by an electric drive method to make the advancement speed constant, reduce the phenomenon of the cochlear implant electrode becoming loose or falling off from the normally closed clamping device during advancement, ensure stable and reliable operation, and can also be advanced manually, with strong flexibility in use.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A device for uniformly implanting cochlear implant electrodes includes a housing, a rotating cap, a linkage device, a movable cylinder, a normally closed clamping device, an opening promoting device, and a driving device; the rotating cap is rotatably installed on the housing; an elastic locking device is provided between the rotating cap and the housing; the driving device is installed inside the housing and is used to drive the rotating cap to rotate; the linkage device is installed inside the housing and is rotationally coordinated with the rotating cap; the movable cylinder is used to move axially along the housing when the linkage device rotates; the normally closed clamping device is installed on the movable cylinder and is used to clamp the cochlear implant electrode; the opening promoting device is installed inside the rotating cap and is used to promote the opening of the normally closed clamping device.

[0007] The normally closed clamping device includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm; the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are respectively pivotally connected to the movable cylinder.

[0008] A first torsion spring is arranged between the first clamping arm and the movable cylinder, and a second torsion spring is arranged between the second clamping arm and the movable cylinder.

[0009] A first inclined guiding surface is arranged on the first clamping arm.

[0010] A second inclined guiding surface is arranged on the second clamping arm; along the direction away from the rotary cap, the distance between the first inclined guiding surface and the second inclined guiding surface gradually decreases.

[0011] A pushing part is arranged on the opening promoting device, and the pushing part is used for pushing the first inclined guiding surface and the second inclined guiding surface to promote the normally closed clamping device to open; from the end of the pushing cap close to the rotary cap to the end away from the rotary cap, the width of the pushing cap gradually decreases.

[0012] The driving device includes a motor.

[0013] A transmission mechanism is arranged between the motor and the rotary cap.

[0014] The transmission mechanism includes a gear arranged on the output shaft of the motor.

[0015] The transmission mechanism includes a tooth ring arranged on the rotary cap and meshing with the gear.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] A device for uniformly implanting an artificial cochlear electrode provided by the present invention, through the combination of a housing, a rotary cap, a linkage device, a movable cylinder, a normally closed clamping device, an opening promoting device and a driving device, can adopt an electric driving mode for propulsion, so that the propulsion speed is constant, and the phenomenon that the artificial cochlear electrode loosens and falls off from the normally closed clamping device during the propulsion process is reduced, ensuring stable and reliable operation, and the propulsion speed can be adjusted. At the same time, it can also adopt a manual propulsion mode, making the use more flexible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of part A of

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the opening promoting device, omitting the first return spring;

[0021] Among them, 10 is the outer shell; 11 is the main housing; 12 is the handle; 13 is the attached housing; 20 is the rotating cap; 21 is the first axial protrusion; 30 is the linkage device; 31 is the first axial groove; 40 is the movable cylinder; 41 is the annular protrusion; 50 is the normally closed clamping device; 51 is the first clamping arm; 52 is the second clamping arm; 53 is the first inclined guiding surface; 54 is the second inclined guiding surface; 60 is the opening promoting device; 61 is the pushing part; 62 is the first mating pushing surface; 63 is the second mating pushing surface; 64 is the inner sleeve; 65 is the moving push rod; 66 is the first return spring; 67 is the air chamber; 68 is the air hole; 69 is the limiting groove; 70 is the driving device; 71 is the motor; 72 is the gear; 73 is the toothed ring; 80 is the elastic locking device; 81 is the movable cavity; 82 is the plunger; 83 is the second return spring; 91 is the positioning hole. Detailed implementation manners

[0022] Next, in combination with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners, the present invention will be further described. It should be noted that, on the premise of no conflict, the following-described embodiments or technical features can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0023] As Figures 1-3 shown, a device for uniformly implanting cochlear implant electrodes includes an outer shell 10, a rotating cap 20, a linkage device 30, a movable cylinder 40, a normally closed clamping device 50, an opening promoting device 60, and a driving device 70; the rotating cap 20 is rotatably installed on the outer shell 10; an elastic locking device 80 is provided between the rotating cap 20 and the outer shell 10; the driving device 70 is installed inside the outer shell 10 and is used to drive the rotating cap 20 to rotate; the linkage device 30 is installed inside the outer shell 10 and is in synchronous rotation cooperation with the rotating cap 20; the movable cylinder 40 is used to move axially along the outer shell 10 when the linkage device 30 rotates; the normally closed clamping device 50 is installed on the movable cylinder 40 and is used to clamp the cochlear implant electrodes; the opening promoting device 60 is installed inside the rotating cap 20 and is used to promote the opening of the normally closed clamping device 50.

[0024] During the advancement process by the electric drive mode, the drive device 70 can drive the rotating cap 20 to rotate forward, and the rotating cap 20 drives the linkage device 30 to rotate forward synchronously, so that the movable cylinder 40 moves forward uniformly along the axis of the housing 10 under the linkage action of the linkage device 30, driving the normally closed clamping device 50 to move forward uniformly, thereby realizing the uniform advancement of the cochlear implant electrode clamped on the normally closed clamping device 50. After the cochlear implant electrode is advanced in place, the normally closed clamping device 50 can be opened by the opening device 60, and the rotating cap 20 is driven to rotate reversely by the drive device 70, so that the normally closed clamping device 50 moves backward uniformly to separate from the cochlear implant electrode, completing the implantation placement of the cochlear implant electrode. Therefore, by the constant-speed drive of the drive device 70, the advancement speed is constant. At the same time, the rotation speed of the drive device 70 can also be adjusted according to the usage requirements to adjust the advancement speed. Moreover, by adopting the normally closed clamping device 50 and the opening device 60, and installing the normally closed clamping device 50 on the movable cylinder 40 and the opening device 60 inside the rotating cap 20, the opening device 60 and the normally closed clamping device 50 are separated during the advancement process, reducing the phenomenon that the normally closed clamping device 50 is accidentally triggered by the opening device 60, causing the cochlear implant electrode to loosen or fall off from the normally closed clamping device 50 during the advancement process, ensuring stable and reliable operation. In addition, the user can also adopt manual advancement according to individual special surgical needs. The specific process is as follows: The user manually rotates the rotating cap 20 forward, and the linkage device 30 rotates forward synchronously under the driving action of the rotating cap 20, so that the movable cylinder 40 moves forward along the axis of the housing 10 under the linkage action of the linkage device 30, driving the normally closed clamping device 50 to move forward, so that the cochlear implant electrode clamped on the normally closed clamping device 50 moves forward. After the cochlear implant electrode is advanced in place, the elastic locking device 80 between the rotating cap 20 and the housing 10 locks the rotating cap 20 to prevent the movable cylinder 40 from moving. Then, the normally closed clamping device 50 is opened by the opening device 60, and the rotating cap 20 is rotated reversely manually, so that the normally closed clamping device 50 moves backward to separate from the cochlear implant electrode.

[0025] The normally closed clamping device 50 includes a first clamping arm 51 and a second clamping arm 52; the first clamping arm 51 and the second clamping arm 52 are respectively pivotally connected to the movable cylinder 40. A first torsion spring is provided between the first clamping arm 51 and the movable cylinder 40, and a second torsion spring is provided between the second clamping arm 52 and the movable cylinder 40. By adopting the above structure for the normally closed clamping device 50, it can be ensured that the normally closed clamping device 50 can stably clamp the cochlear implant electrode and is convenient for processing and manufacturing.

[0026] The first clamp arm 51 is provided with a first oblique guide surface 53, and from the end of the first oblique guide surface 53 away from the rotating cap 20 to the end of the first oblique guide surface 53 close to the rotating cap 20, the first oblique guide surface 53 gradually tilts toward the direction close to the second clamp arm 52. The second clamp arm 52 is provided with a second oblique guide surface 54; from the end of the second oblique guide surface 54 away from the rotating cap 20 to the end of the second oblique guide surface 54 close to the rotating cap 20, the second oblique guide surface 54 gradually tilts toward the direction close to the first clamp arm 51; along the direction away from the rotating cap 20, the distance between the first oblique guide surface 53 and the second oblique guide surface 54 gradually decreases.

[0027] The opening promotion device 60 is provided with a pushing portion 61, and the pushing portion 61 is used to push the first inclined guide surface 53 and the second inclined guide surface 54 to promote the opening of the normally closed clamping device 50; the width of the pushing cap gradually decreases from the end of the pushing portion 61 close to the rotating cap 20 to the end away from the rotating cap 20; the pushing portion 61 is provided with a first matching pushing surface 62 that matches the inclination of the first inclined guide surface 53 and is used to push the first inclined guide surface 53, and a second matching pushing surface 63 that matches the inclination of the second inclined guide surface 54 and is used to push the second inclined guide surface 54; the width of the pushing cap is the distance between the first matching pushing surface 62 and the second matching pushing surface 63. By adopting the above-mentioned structure, during the movement of the pushing portion 61 relative to the normally closed clamping device 50 toward the direction away from the rotating cap 20, the small end of the pushing portion 61 first abuts against the first inclined guide surface 53 and the second inclined guide surface 54. As the width of the pushing portion 61 gradually increases from the end of the pushing portion 61 away from the rotating cap 20 to the end close to the rotating cap 20, and as the pushing portion 61 continues to move, the pushing portion 61 gradually pushes the first inclined guide surface 53 and the second inclined guide surface 54 to open the first clamping arm 51 and the second clamping arm 52, so that the normally closed clamping device 50 is opened.

[0028] The opening promoting device 60 includes an inner sleeve 64, a moving push rod 65 and a first return spring 66; the inner sleeve 64 is installed inside the rotating cap 20, and an air chamber 67 and air holes 68 communicating with the air chamber 67 are provided on the inner sleeve 64. The moving push rod 65 is slidably and sealingly fitted with the air chamber 67. The first return spring 66 abuts between the moving push rod 65 and the inner sleeve 64 and is used to provide a force to urge the moving push rod 65 to move towards the direction close to the rotating cap 20. The pushing part 61 is arranged at one end of the moving push rod 65 away from the rotating cap 20. After the normally closed clamping device 50 is pushed in place, gas is introduced into the air chamber 67 through the air holes 68 to push the moving push rod 65 to move through the gas, and the normally closed clamping device 50 is urged to open through the moving push rod 65. After the normally closed clamping device 50 is opened, the gas supply to the air holes 68 is stopped, and the moving push rod 65 moves towards the direction close to the rotating cap 20 under the action of the elastic force of the first return spring 66.

[0029] Specifically, a valve is provided on the air hole 68.

[0030] The locking device includes a movable chamber 81, a plunger 82 and a second return spring 83; the movable chamber 81 is arranged on the rotating cap 20, the plunger 82 is movably installed in the movable chamber 81, a second return spring 83 is arranged between the plunger 82 and the chamber wall of the movable chamber 81, and a plurality of positioning holes 91 for the outer end of the plunger 82 to be embedded are arranged in a circumferential arrangement on the outer shell 10. During the rotation of the rotating cap 20, the plunger 82 of the rotating cap 20 moves out of the original positioning hole 91 under the drive of the rotating cap 20. At this time, the outer end of the plunger 82 abuts against the circumferential wall of the outer shell 10 and compresses the second return spring 83, and as the rotating cap 20 rotates, when the rotating cap 20 rotates in place, the plunger 82 corresponds to the corresponding positioning hole 91, the second return spring 83 elastically restores, and the plunger 82 is embedded in the corresponding positioning hole 91 under the action of the elastic force of the second return spring 83. Thus, when the cochlear implant electrode is pushed in place, the rotating cap 20 can be locked relative to the outer shell 10 to avoid the displacement of the normally closed clamping device 50. Since the rotating cap 20 can be locked relative to the outer shell 10 when the cochlear implant electrode is pushed in place, it is suitable for manual pushing and does not affect the pushing in the electric drive mode.

[0031] In this embodiment, the plunger 82 includes a cylindrical main body and an embedded end head arranged on the cylindrical main body and in a hemispherical shape. The embedded end head forms the outer end of the plunger 82, and the shape of the positioning hole 91 matches the shape of the embedded end head. There are two elastic locking devices 80, and the two elastic locking devices 80 are symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the rotating cap 20.

[0032] The rotating cap 20 includes a cap body and a lower circumferential wall provided below the cap body and extending in the circumferential direction. The outer shell 10 includes an upper circumferential wall provided with an annular groove. The lower circumferential wall is disposed in the annular groove. The elastic locking device 80 is disposed on the lower circumferential wall, and the positioning hole 91 is disposed on the upper circumferential wall. By adopting the above structure, the assembly stability can be improved.

[0033] The linkage device 30 includes a linkage sleeve. A first axial groove 31 extending along the central axis direction of the rotating cap 20 is provided on the linkage sleeve. A first axial protrusion 21 extending along the central axis direction of the rotating cap 20 is provided on the inner side of the lower circumferential wall. The first axial protrusion 21 is embedded in the first axial groove 31. By the cooperation of the first axial protrusion 21 and the first axial groove 31, when the rotating cap 20 rotates, the linkage device 30 can be driven to rotate synchronously, and it is convenient for processing and manufacturing.

[0034] Internal threads are provided on the inner side of the linkage sleeve. External threads are provided on the movable cylinder 40, and the movable cylinder 40 is threadedly connected to the inner side of the linkage sleeve through the cooperation of the external threads and the internal threads. A second axial groove extending along the central axis direction of the rotating cap 20 is provided on the movable cylinder 40. A second axial protrusion extending along the central axis direction of the rotating cap 20 is provided on the inner side of the moving push rod 65. The second axial protrusion is embedded in the second axial groove. By the cooperation of the second axial protrusion and the second axial groove, relative axial movement can occur between the moving push rod 65 and the movable cylinder 40, which can guide the axial movement of the moving push rod 65 and limit the rotation of the movable cylinder 40 along with the linkage sleeve.

[0035] An annular protrusion 41 protruding inward is provided on the movable cylinder 40 on the side close to the rotating cap 20 of the normally closed clamping device 50. The wall surface at one end of the annular protrusion 41 close to the rotating cap 20 forms an upper limiting wall, and the inner side wall of the annular protrusion 41 forms an inner limiting wall. A limiting groove 69 matching the annular protrusion 41 is provided on the top pushing portion 61. The top wall of the limiting groove 69 forms an upper matching limiting wall for abutting against the upper limiting wall, and the side wall of the limiting groove 69 forms an inner matching limiting wall for abutting against the inner limiting wall. When the moving push rod 65 moves toward the normally closed clamping device 50 and moves to a position where the limiting groove 69 cooperates with the annular protrusion 41, the top pushing portion 61 causes the normally closed clamping device 50 to open. That is, when the top pushing portion 61 causes the normally closed clamping device 50 to open, through the cooperation of the limiting groove 69 and the annular protrusion 41, the upper matching limiting wall abuts against the upper limiting wall, and the inner matching limiting wall abuts against the inner limiting wall, which can limit the continuous forward movement of the moving push rod 65.

[0036] The driving device 70 includes a motor 71. A transmission mechanism is provided between the motor 71 and the rotating cap 20. The transmission mechanism includes a gear 72 provided on the output shaft of the motor 71. The transmission mechanism includes a gear ring 73 provided on the rotating cap 20 and meshing with the gear 72. During the operation of the motor 71, the gear 72 can be driven to rotate, so that the gear ring 73 can be driven to rotate through the gear 72, thereby driving the rotating cap 20 to rotate.

[0037] The motor 71 may be a reduction motor 71 , a stepping motor 71 or the like.

[0038] The housing 10 includes a main housing 11, a handle 12 disposed on the main housing 11, and an attachment housing 13 disposed on the handle 12; the rotating cap 20 is mounted on the main housing 11; the upper surrounding wall is formed on the main housing 11, and the motor 71 is mounted on the attachment housing 13; the attachment housing 13 is detachably fixed to the handle 12. By adopting the above method, in the event of a failure of the motor 71, the attachment housing 13 can be disassembled to facilitate the inspection and maintenance of the motor 71, and the attachment housing 13 can also be disassembled together with the motor 71 during manual propulsion to reduce the overall weight and facilitate operation.

[0039] The device for uniformly implanting cochlear implant electrodes also includes a collection system, which can have both real-time force feedback and motion data collection functions.

[0040] The above-mentioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by technicians in this field on the basis of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for uniformly implanting cochlear electrodes, characterized in that: It includes a housing, a rotating cap, a linkage device, a movable cylinder, a normally closed clamping device, an opening promoting device and a driving device; the rotating cap is rotatably mounted on the housing; an elastic locking device is provided between the rotating cap and the housing; the driving device is mounted inside the housing and is used to drive the rotating cap to rotate; the linkage device is mounted inside the housing and is rotationally matched with the rotating cap synchronously; the movable cylinder is used to move axially along the housing when the linkage device rotates; the normally closed clamping device is mounted on the movable cylinder and is used to clamp the cochlear electrode; the opening promoting device is mounted inside the rotating cap and is used to promote the opening of the normally closed clamping device.

2. The device for uniformly implanting a cochlear electrode according to claim 1, wherein: The normally closed clamping device includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm; the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are respectively pivotally connected to the movable cylinder.

3. The device for uniformly implanting the cochlear electrode according to claim 2, wherein: A first torsion spring is provided between the first clamping arm and the movable cylinder, and a second torsion spring is provided between the second clamping arm and the movable cylinder.

4. The device for uniformly implanting a cochlear electrode according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first inclined guiding surface is provided on the first clamping arm.

5. The device for uniformly implanting a cochlear electrode according to claim 4, wherein: A second inclined guiding surface is provided on the second clamping arm; along the direction away from the rotating cap, the distance between the first inclined guiding surface and the second inclined guiding surface gradually decreases.

6. The device for uniformly implanting a cochlear electrode according to claim 5, characterized in that: A pushing portion is provided on the opening promoting device, and the pushing portion is used to push the first inclined guiding surface and the second inclined guiding surface to promote the opening of the normally closed clamping device; from the end of the pushing cap close to the rotating cap to the end away from the rotating cap, the width of the pushing cap gradually decreases.

7. The device for uniformly implanting the cochlear electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving device includes a motor.

8. The device for uniformly implanting cochlear electrodes according to claim 7, characterized in that: A transmission mechanism is provided between the motor and the rotating cap.

9. The device for uniformly implanting a cochlear electrode according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism includes a gear provided on the output shaft of the motor.

10. The device for uniformly implanting a cochlear electrode according to claim 9, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism includes a toothed ring provided on the rotating cap and meshing with the gear.

Images