An actuator for a medical device and a medical device

Abstract

The application provides an actuator for a medical device and the medical device, wherein the medical device comprises a constriction structure connected with the actuator, the actuator is used to drive the constriction structure to tighten or loosen an organ, the actuator comprises: a driving unit used to provide a forward driving force and a reverse driving force; one end of a transmission unit is connected with the driving unit, the other end of the transmission unit is connected with the constriction structure, and an inner hole is arranged in the transmission unit; when the driving unit provides the forward driving force to the transmission unit, part of the transmission unit is accommodated in the inner hole to reduce the distance between the driving unit and the constriction structure, so as to drive the constriction structure to tighten the organ; when the driving unit provides the reverse driving force to the transmission unit, the transmission unit is away from the inner hole to expand the distance between the driving unit and the constriction structure, so as to drive the constriction structure to loosen the organ. The application increases the adjustment range of tightening the organ by accommodating or moving away the transmission unit from the inner hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of implantable medical devices, and more particularly to an actuator for a medical device and a medical device. Background Technology

[0002] To treat conditions such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and to treat obesity through gastric banding, medical devices are typically implanted into the patient. These devices include a retractable structure, often referred to as a clamp, which attaches to a hollow human organ such as the urethra, rectum, esophagus, or stomach. The retractable structure applies pressure to the organ to reduce its diameter or to close it. Particularly in cases of urinary or fecal incontinence, the retractable structure essentially forms an artificial sphincter that can open and close by controlling the pressure applied by the clamp.

[0003] However, existing medical devices implanted in patients cannot be adjusted according to different user conditions, resulting in a poor patient experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem solved by this invention is that existing medical devices implanted in patients cannot be adjusted according to different user conditions.

[0005] To address the above problems, the present invention provides an actuator for a medical device, the medical device including a contraction structure connected to the actuator, the actuator driving the contraction structure to tighten or loosen an organ, the actuator comprising:

[0006] A drive unit, the drive unit being used to provide forward drive force and reverse drive force;

[0007] A transmission unit, one end of which is connected to the drive unit, and the other end of which is connected to the shrinking structure, wherein an inner hole is provided inside the transmission unit;

[0008] When the drive unit provides a positive driving force to the transmission unit, a portion of the transmission unit is accommodated in the inner hole to reduce the distance between the drive unit and the contraction structure in order to drive the contraction structure to tighten the organ;

[0009] When the drive unit provides a reverse driving force to the transmission unit, the transmission unit moves away from the inner hole to increase the distance between the drive unit and the contraction structure to drive the contraction structure to release the organ.

[0010] Optionally, the transmission unit includes a transmission nut and a lead screw. One end of the transmission nut is connected to the drive unit, and the other end of the transmission nut is connected to one end of the lead screw. The other end of the lead screw is connected to the retractable structure. The transmission nut is a hollow structure, and an inner hole is provided inside the transmission nut.

[0011] When the drive unit provides a positive driving force to the transmission nut, the lead screw moves along a direction close to the transmission nut until it is received in the inner hole to drive the contraction structure to tighten the organ;

[0012] When the drive unit provides a reverse driving force to the transmission nut, the lead screw moves in a direction away from the transmission nut until it leaves the inner hole to drive the retractable structure to release the organ.

[0013] Optionally, the transmission unit further includes a screw head, a screw stud, and a rotating shaft that are coaxially arranged and sequentially connected within the transmission nut. One end of the screw head is connected to one end of the lead screw, and the other end of the rotating shaft is connected to the drive motor. The rotating shaft has an inner hole.

[0014] The screw head and the stud are both hollow structures. The diameter of the lead screw is smaller than the diameter of the screw head, the diameter of the stud, and the diameter of the inner hole, so that the lead screw passes through the screw head and the stud and is accommodated in the inner hole.

[0015] Optionally, the diameter of the stud portion is larger than the diameter of the screw head, so that the screw head can be accommodated in the stud portion.

[0016] Optionally, the diameter of the screw head is less than or equal to the diameter of the inner hole, so that the screw head can pass through the stud and be accommodated in the inner hole.

[0017] Optionally, the transmission unit further includes at least one ball bearing connected to the transmission nut to improve the rotation of the transmission nut and to withstand the axial force generated by the drive unit.

[0018] Optionally, the actuator further includes:

[0019] A coupling unit is disposed between the drive unit and the transmission unit. The coupling unit includes a first magnet and a second magnet. The first magnet is disposed on the side of the drive unit near the rotating shaft, and the second magnet is disposed on the side of the rotating shaft near the drive unit.

[0020] When the drive unit rotates, the first magnet rotates and transmits the rotation to the second magnet that rotates the shaft.

[0021] Optionally, the driving unit includes:

[0022] At least one drive motor, said drive motor being used to provide forward driving force and reverse driving force;

[0023] A speed reducer, one end of which is connected to the drive motor and the other end of which is connected to the transmission unit, is used to adjust the magnitude of the forward driving force and the reverse driving force.

[0024] This application embodiment also provides a medical device, the medical device comprising:

[0025] Actuator, such as any of the actuators mentioned above;

[0026] A contractile structure is connected to the actuator, which drives the contractile structure to tighten or loosen the organ.

[0027] Optionally, the contraction structure includes:

[0028] A closure element, the closure element being used to form the contractile structure into a closed loop surrounding a hollow human organ;

[0029] A flexible strip extends longitudinally from the closure member, with one end of the flexible strip connected to the closure member and the other end of the flexible strip connected to the actuator;

[0030] When the actuator provides a positive driving force, the flexible strip tightens to drive the closure member to form the closed loop of the contraction structure; when the actuator provides a reverse driving force, the flexible strip loosens to drive the closure member to prevent the contraction structure from forming the closed loop.

[0031] The actuator for a medical device provided in this application embodiment, when the driving unit provides a positive driving force to the transmission unit, a portion of the transmission unit is housed within the inner hole to reduce the distance between the driving unit and the contraction structure, thereby driving the contraction structure to tighten the organ; when the driving unit provides a reverse driving force to the transmission unit, the transmission unit moves away from the inner hole to increase the distance between the driving unit and the contraction structure, thereby driving the contraction structure to loosen the organ. By accommodating the transmission unit within the inner hole and moving it away from the inner hole to reduce or increase the distance between the driving unit and the contraction structure, the adjustment range of the closing ring size is increased. This allows the closing ring size of the tightened organ to be adjusted according to the needs of different users, avoiding situations where the closing ring is too tight or too loose, thus improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the framework of the medical device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the retractable structure in the medical device shown.

[0034] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the actuator and control structure in the medical device shown;

[0035] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the actuator and control structure after removing the housing is shown.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the actuator provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The side view of the actuator shown;

[0038] Figure 7 for Figure 6 The actuator shown is a cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0039] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The actuator shown is a cross-sectional view along the BB direction.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0041] 1. Medical device; 100. Actuator; 200. Retractable structure; 300. Control unit; 400. Power supply unit; 500. Housing;

[0042] 110. Transmission unit; 120. Drive unit; 130. Shaft coupling unit;

[0043] 111. Transmission nut; 112. Lead screw; 113. Screw head; 114. Stud; 115. Shaft; 116. Inner hole; 117. Ball bearing;

[0044] 121. Drive motor; 122. Reducer;

[0045] 131. First magnet; 132. Second magnet; 133. Third magnet;

[0046] 210. Closure element; 220. Flexible strip. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0048] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the framework of the medical device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the medical device. This application provides a medical device 1, which includes an actuator 100 and a contraction structure 200. The contraction structure 200 is connected to the actuator 100, and the actuator 100 drives the contraction structure 200 to tighten or loosen an organ.

[0049] The contractile structure 200 includes a closure member 210 and a flexible strip 220. The flexible strip 220 and the closure member 210 extend longitudinally. The closure member 210 forms the contractile structure 200 into a closed loop around the hollow human organ. One end of the flexible strip 220 is connected to the closure member 210, and the other end is connected to the actuator 100. When the actuator 100 provides a positive driving force, the flexible strip 220 tightens to drive the closure member 210 to form a closed loop with the contractile structure 200. When the actuator 100 provides a reverse driving force, the flexible strip 220 loosens to drive the closure member 210 to prevent the contractile structure 200 from forming a closed loop. Specifically, when the flexible strip 220 tightens, the closure member 210 drives the flexible strip 220 to wrap around the hollow human organ, and closes one end of the closure member 210 with the flexible strip 220 to tighten the contractile structure 200 to its desired diameter; when the flexible strip 220 loosens, the closure member 210 drives the flexible strip 220 to unwrap and return to its initial state. The medical device 1 of this application applies gentle, uniform pressure to the hollow human organ through the cooperation of the actuator 100 and the contractile structure 200, without local pressure peaks, and can adjust the pressure according to the size of the organ, thereby reducing the impact of the medical device 1 on organ tissue and minimizing damage to organ tissue.

[0050] In some embodiments, the flexible strip 220 is made of an implantable silicone elastomer with sufficient Shore hardness.

[0051] Please continue reading. Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the actuator and control structure in the medical device shown; Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the actuator and control structure without the housing. The medical device 1 also includes a housing 500 for housing the actuator 100, and in some embodiments, the housing 500 is made of titanium.

[0052] The medical device 1 also includes a control unit 300, which is disposed within the housing 500 and is used to control the execution of the actuator 100.

[0053] The medical device 1 also includes a power supply unit 400, which is disposed within the housing 500. The power supply unit 400 is connected to the control unit 300 via a cable. In some embodiments, the power supply unit 400 includes two implantable primary batteries, i.e., non-rechargeable batteries, each with a lifespan of at least 4 years. In other embodiments, these batteries may be arranged sequentially rather than in parallel; the specific arrangement can be determined according to actual conditions and is not specifically limited herein.

[0054] Please continue reading. Figures 5 to 8 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the actuator provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 for Figure 5 The side view of the actuator shown is shown. Figure 7 for Figure 6 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the actuator along the AA direction. Figure 8 for Figure 7 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the actuator along the BB direction. This application also provides an actuator 100 for a medical device 1. The medical device 1 includes the aforementioned contraction structure 200, which is connected to the actuator 100. The actuator 100 drives the contraction structure 200 to tighten or loosen an organ. The actuator 100 includes a drive unit 120 and a transmission unit 110. The drive unit 120 provides forward and reverse driving forces. One end of the transmission unit 110 is connected to the drive unit 120, and the other end is connected to the contraction structure 200. An inner hole 116 is provided within the transmission unit 110. When the drive unit 120 provides a forward driving force to the transmission unit 110, a portion of the transmission unit 110 is accommodated within the inner hole 116 to reduce the distance between the drive unit 120 and the contraction structure 200, thereby driving the contraction structure 200 to tighten the organ. When the drive unit 120 provides a reverse driving force to the transmission unit 110, the transmission unit 110 moves away from the inner hole 116 to increase the distance between the drive unit 120 and the contraction structure 200, thereby driving the contraction structure 200 to loosen the organ. This application increases the adjustment range of the closing ring size by accommodating the transmission unit 110 within the inner hole 116 and moving it away from the inner hole 116 to reduce or increase the distance between the drive unit 120 and the contraction structure 200. This allows for adjustment of the closing ring size of the tightening organ according to the needs of different users, avoiding situations where the closing ring is too tight or too loose, and improving the user experience.

[0055] It should be noted that this application accommodates part of the transmission unit 110 within the inner hole 116, which can not only ensure the adjustment of the tightness of the shrinkage structure 200, but also reduce the volume occupied by the medical device 1 in the human body, thereby alleviating the foreign body sensation of the medical device 1 in the user's body.

[0056] The extent to which the transmission unit 110 is housed in the inner hole 116 can be adjusted according to the size of different user organs, the user's comfort level, and the needs of those skilled in the art, without specific limitations.

[0057] The transmission unit 110 includes a transmission nut 111 and a lead screw 112. One end of the transmission nut 111 is connected to the drive unit 120, and the other end of the transmission nut 111 is connected to one end of the lead screw 112. The other end of the lead screw 112 is connected to the retraction structure 200. The transmission nut 111 is a hollow structure, and an inner hole 116 is provided inside the transmission nut 111. When the drive unit 120 provides a positive driving force to the transmission nut 111, the lead screw 112 moves along the direction close to the transmission nut 111 until it is accommodated in the inner hole 116 to drive the retraction structure 200 to tighten the organ. When the drive unit 120 provides a reverse driving force to the transmission nut 111, the lead screw 112 moves along the direction away from the transmission nut 111 until it leaves the inner hole 116 to drive the retraction structure 200 to loosen the organ. This application sets the transmission nut 111 as a hollow structure, so that the lead screw 112 can move axially within the transmission nut 111. Furthermore, by providing an inner hole 116 in the transmission nut 111, the range of distance the lead screw 112 can move axially can be increased, thereby increasing the range of tension adjustment of the shrinkage structure 200. Therefore, the shrinkage of the shrinkage structure 200 can be better adjusted according to the actual situation of the user.

[0058] The transmission unit 110 also includes a screw head 113, a stud portion 114, and a rotating shaft portion 115, which are coaxially arranged and sequentially connected within the transmission nut 111. One end of the screw head 113 is connected to one end of the lead screw 112, and the other end of the rotating shaft portion 115 is connected to the drive motor 121. An inner hole 116 is provided in the rotating shaft portion 115. The screw head 113 and the stud portion 114 are both hollow structures. The diameter of the lead screw 112 is smaller than the diameter of the screw head 113, the diameter of the stud portion 114, and the diameter of the inner hole 116, so that the lead screw 112 passes through the screw head 113 and the stud portion 114 and is accommodated in the inner hole 116. By designing the screw head 113 and stud portion 114 as hollow structures, and the diameter of the lead screw 112 being smaller than the diameters of the screw head 113, stud portion 114, and inner hole 116, the lead screw 112 can pass through the screw head 113, stud portion 114, and inner hole 116. This further increases the range of distance the lead screw 112 can move in the axial direction, increasing the range of tension adjustment for the contraction structure 200. Consequently, the contraction of the contraction structure 200 can be better adjusted according to the user's actual situation. Additionally, it reduces the area occupied by the medical device 1 within the user's body, alleviating user discomfort and improving user comfort.

[0059] In some embodiments, the diameter of the stud portion 114 is larger than the diameter of the screw head 113, so that the screw head 113 can be accommodated in the stud portion 114. By accommodating the screw head 113 in the stud portion 114 during the movement of the lead screw 112, the distance between the retraction structure 200 and the actuator 100 can be further reduced, and the area occupied by the medical device 1 within the user's body can be further reduced, alleviating user discomfort and improving user comfort. Furthermore, since the screw head 113 can be accommodated in the stud portion 114, the range of distance the lead screw 112 can move in the axial direction is increased, thus increasing the range of tension adjustment for the retraction structure 200.

[0060] In some embodiments, the diameter of the screw head 113 is less than or equal to the diameter of the inner hole 116, so that the screw head 113 can pass through the stud portion 114 and be accommodated within the inner hole 116. By accommodating the screw head 113 within both the stud portion 114 and the inner hole 116 during the movement of the lead screw 112, the distance between the retraction structure 200 and the actuator 100 can be further reduced, and the area occupied by the medical device 1 within the user's body can be further reduced, alleviating user discomfort and improving user comfort. Furthermore, since the screw head 113 can pass through the stud portion 114 and be accommodated within the inner hole 116, the range of distance the lead screw 112 can move in the axial direction is further increased, increasing the range for adjusting the tension of the retraction structure 200.

[0061] The transmission unit 110 also includes at least one ball bearing 117, which is connected to the transmission nut 111 and the shaft coupling unit 130, for improving the rotation of the transmission nut 111 and for bearing the axial force generated by the drive unit 120.

[0062] The actuator 100 also includes a coupling unit disposed between the drive unit 120 and the transmission unit 110. The coupling unit includes a first magnet 131 and a second magnet 132. The first magnet 131 is disposed on the side of the drive unit 120 near the rotating shaft portion 115, and the second magnet 132 is disposed on the side of the rotating shaft portion 115 near the drive unit 120. When the drive unit 120 rotates, the rotation of the drive unit 120 drives the first magnet 131 to rotate, and the rotation of the first magnet 131 drives the second magnet 132 to rotate. The rotation of the second magnet 132 drives the rotation of the rotating shaft portion 115.

[0063] In some embodiments, the coupling unit further includes a third magnet 133, which is mounted on a metal plate for shielding the magnetic field from the first magnet 131, and the metal plate is a support for the first magnet 131 and the third magnet 133.

[0064] The drive unit 120 includes at least one drive motor 121 and a reducer 122. The drive motor 121 is used to provide forward driving force and reverse driving force. One end of the reducer 122 is connected to the drive motor 121, and the other end of the reducer 122 is connected to the transmission unit 110. The reducer 122 is used to adjust the magnitude of the forward driving force and reverse driving force to avoid organ damage due to excessive driving force of the drive motor 121.

[0065] In some embodiments, the control unit 300 controls the rotation of the drive motor 121 in the actuator 100. The rotation of the drive motor 121 is transmitted to the transmission nut 111 via the shaft coupling unit 130 to drive the rotation of the transmission nut 111. The rotation of the transmission nut 111 drives the lead screw 112 to move axially. The axial movement of the lead screw 112 drives the contraction structure 200 to tighten or open the organ. Furthermore, since the transmission nut 111 has an inner hole 116, the movement of the lead screw 112 to the inner hole 116 increases the range of movement of the lead screw 112 in the axial direction, thereby increasing the tension range for tightening the organ. In other words, the size of the closed loop can be better adjusted according to the user's needs.

[0066] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An actuator (100) for a medical device (1), characterized in that, The medical device (1) includes a contraction structure (200) connected to the actuator (100), which drives the contraction structure (200) to tighten or loosen an organ. The actuator (100) includes: The drive unit (120) includes at least one drive motor (121) for providing forward driving force and reverse driving force; The transmission unit (110) includes a transmission nut (111) and a lead screw (112). The transmission nut (111) has a hollow structure. The transmission unit (110) also includes a screw head (113), a stud portion (114), and a rotating shaft portion (115) coaxially arranged and sequentially connected within the transmission nut (111). One end of the screw head (113) is connected to one end of the lead screw (112), and the other end of the rotating shaft portion (115) is connected to the drive motor (121). The other end of the lead screw (112) is connected to the shrinking structure (200). The rotating shaft (115) is provided with an inner hole (116). The screw head (113) and the stud (114) are both hollow structures. The diameter of the lead screw (112) is smaller than the diameter of the screw head (113), the diameter of the stud (114), and the diameter of the inner hole (116), so that the lead screw (112) passes through the screw head (113) and the stud (114) and is accommodated in the inner hole (116). When the drive unit (120) provides a positive driving force to the transmission nut (111), the lead screw (112) moves in a direction close to the transmission nut (111) until it is received in the inner hole (116) to drive the contraction structure (200) to tighten the organ; When the drive unit (120) provides a reverse driving force to the transmission nut (111), the lead screw (112) moves away from the transmission nut (111) until it leaves the inner hole (116) to drive the retractable structure (200) to release the organ.

2. The actuator (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the stud portion (114) is larger than the diameter of the screw head (113) so that the screw head (113) can be accommodated in the stud portion (114).

3. The actuator (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the screw head (113) is less than or equal to the diameter of the inner hole (116) so that the screw head (113) can pass through the stud (114) and be accommodated in the inner hole (116).

4. The actuator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The transmission unit (110) further includes at least one ball bearing (117), which is connected to the transmission nut (111) to improve the rotation of the transmission nut (111) and to withstand the axial force generated by the drive unit (120).

5. The actuator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The actuator (100) further includes: A coupling unit is disposed between the drive unit (120) and the transmission unit (110). The coupling unit includes a first magnet (131) and a second magnet (132). The first magnet (131) is disposed on the side of the drive unit (120) near the rotating shaft (115), and the second magnet (132) is disposed on the side of the rotating shaft (115) near the drive unit (120). When the drive unit (120) rotates, the first magnet (131) rotates and transmits the rotation to the second magnet (132) that rotates the shaft (115).

6. The actuator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The drive unit (120) further includes: A speed reducer (122) is provided, one end of which is connected to the drive motor (121) and the other end of which is connected to the transmission unit (110), for adjusting the magnitude of the forward driving force and the reverse driving force.

7. A medical device (1), characterized in that, The medical device (1) includes: Actuator (100), the actuator (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6. A contraction structure (200) is connected to the actuator (100), which drives the contraction structure (200) to tighten or loosen the organ.

8. The medical device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The contraction structure (200) includes: Closure (210), the closure (210) being used to form the contractile structure (200) into a closed loop surrounding the hollow human organ; A flexible strip (220) is provided to extend longitudinally with the closure member (210). One end of the flexible strip (220) is connected to the closure member (210), and the other end of the flexible strip (220) is connected to the actuator (100). When the actuator (100) provides a positive driving force, the flexible strip (220) tightens to drive the closure (210) to form the closed loop of the contraction structure (200); when the actuator (100) provides a reverse driving force, the flexible strip (220) loosens to drive the closure (210) to prevent the contraction structure (200) from forming the closed loop.

Images