Accessory Actuation Device for Single-Operator Medical Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices, such as endoscopes, require multiple operators or cumbersome equipment setups to simultaneously control the device and employ accessory devices, limiting efficiency and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
An actuation device with a device body and an actuator, featuring a first and second fixation mechanism, allows for the removably affixing of medical device members. The actuator's operable mechanism moves the second member relative to the first member, enabling single-operator control of both the medical device and accessory devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional medical device designs are used, then the device can be operated, but multiple operators or cumbersome equipment setups are required to simultaneously control the endoscope and employ accessory devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the endoscope handle and accessory device actuation into a single integrated unit. The handle assembly includes both the endoscope control mechanisms and the accessory device fixation mechanisms (first and second fixation mechanisms) in one unified structure, allowing a single operator to control both the endoscope and accessory devices simultaneously without requiring separate equipment setups or multiple operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it controls the endoscope operations and simultaneously provides fixation mechanisms for accessory devices. The first fixation mechanism affixes the first member of the accessory device while the second fixation mechanism affixes the second member, making the handle a universal control station for both endoscope and accessory device operations.
2Productivity
If multiple operators are used to control the endoscope and accessory devices, then simultaneous control is achieved, but procedural efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the endoscope handle and accessory device actuation into one integrated unit, the patent enables a single operator to perform tasks that previously required multiple operators. The unified handle assembly provides direct mechanical coupling between the operator's manual input and both the endoscope controls and accessory device actuators, eliminating the need for coordinate operations by multiple people and thereby improving procedural efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removably affixing mechanisms are used for the first and second members, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the accessory device into two separable members (first member and second member) that can be independently affixed to the handle assembly through separate fixation mechanisms. This segmentation allows the first member to be fixed to the device body while the second member is fixed to the actuator, enabling flexible assembly and disassembly of different accessory device configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuation device comprising: a device body that comprises a first fixation mechanism configured to affix a proximal end of a first member of a medical device to the device body, and an actuator comprising an operable mechanism and a second fixation mechanism configured to affix a proximal end of a second member of the medical device to the actuator. Movement of the operable mechanism from a first position to a second position may be configured to move the second member proximally relative to the first member. Movement of the operable mechanism from the second position to the first position may be configured to move the second member distally relative to the first member. At least one of the first member or the second member of the medical device may be configured to be removably affixed to the device body or the actuator, respectively.