Medical Actuator Locking Rack for Hands-Free Position Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices, such as duodenoscopes, lack effective mechanisms to lock actuators or controllers in a desired position, requiring significant operator effort and leading to user fatigue.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of fixed gear structures, including stationary rack gears and movable features, to lock actuators like levers in desired positions, allowing operators to use a free finger and reducing the need for constant manual retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual retention of actuators is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but operator fatigue increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism automatically locks the actuator in position through the interaction between the rack gear and the feature on the actuator. The spring automatically biases the feature into engagement with the rack teeth, providing self-service locking without requiring continuous operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically. When the actuator rotates, the feature moves along the rack gear, allowing automatic engagement or disengagement of teeth based on the actuator's position, providing adaptive locking behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If locking mechanisms are added, then actuator retention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator retentionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is segmented into discrete components: the rack gear with teeth, the feature on the actuator, and the spring. Each component has a specific function, and their combined interaction provides reliable locking while keeping individual components simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a traditional latch or lock that requires active engagement, the design uses a passive rack-and-pinion style mechanism where the actuator's own motion drives the locking feature into engagement with the rack teeth, inverting the conventional locking approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20260000272A1Medical device actuator locks

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A handle of a medical device may comprise an actuator; a lock movable relative to the actuator and having a feature movable relative to the actuator; and a rack having plurality of teeth separated from one another by a plurality of gaps. The lock may be configured to move the feature from (a) a first configuration, in which the feature is disposed in the gap, between two of the plurality of teeth, such that the two teeth inhibit the actuator from rotating; to (b) a second configuration, in which the feature is disposed outside of the gap, such that the actuator is rotatable. In the second configuration, the teeth may be disposed between the feature and the actuator.