Adjustable Medical Retrieval Device with Filament Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical retrieval devices are complex, bulky, and prone to failure due to their intricate structure and lack of adjustable features, making them expensive and difficult to use effectively in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an expandable grasping portion featuring movable branch members and a filament system that can be actuated to vary the size of the grasping portion between pre-selected configurations, allowing for adjustable capture and release of body matter, with a simplified handle mechanism for user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known medical retrieval devices use complex structures with many components, then they can achieve functional requirements, but the devices become bulky, expensive, and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single device structure. The retrieval device integrates the grasping mechanism, size adjustment capability, and retrieval function into one unified device with fewer components. The handle assembly integrates the actuation mechanism with the filament control, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves multi-functionality through a universal design where the same structural components serve multiple purposes. The movable branch members function both as structural support and as the grasping mechanism. The filament system serves both as a structural element and as the actuation transmission medium. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized components needed, lowering complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If known medical retrieval devices have fixed size configurations, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different patient needs and concretion sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic size adjustment capability through movable branch members that can be repositioned along the filament. The actuation mechanism allows the branch members to be dynamically adjusted between different positions, enabling the device to adapt to various concretion sizes. This dynamic configuration capability provides versatility while maintaining a relatively simple structure compared to fixed multi-size devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the grasping portion into multiple movable branch members that can be independently positioned. Each branch member can be adjusted to different positions along the filament, allowing the overall device size and configuration to be segmented and adjusted to match different patient needs. This segmentation enables adaptability without requiring completely different device designs for different sizes.
3Manufacturing precision
If known medical retrieval devices require visual magnification and specialized training for assembly, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but ease of operation and assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates self-aligning and self-assembling features that reduce the need for specialized assembly procedures. The filament and branch member configuration allows for intuitive assembly without requiring visual magnification or specialized training. The design enables operators to assemble and adjust the device through straightforward mechanical manipulation, improving ease of operation while maintaining necessary precision through the inherent design of the components.
4Strength
If known medical retrieval devices use joining mechanisms to connect components, then structural integrity is maintained, but the device profile increases beyond optimal parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the branch members are positioned within or adjacent to the main device body and sheath, rather than extending outward. The filament is contained within the branch members, and the handle components are nested within each other during retraction. This nesting approach maintains structural integrity through the joining mechanisms while minimizing the overall device profile and length, achieving optimal parameters for minimally invasive procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device may include a distal end having an expandable grasping portion with a plurality of movable branch members, and at least one filament connected to and slidably movable within at least a portion of the plurality of movable branch members. The proximal end of the device may include a handle having an actuation guide and an actuation selector connected to and movable along the actuation guide. The actuation selector may be coupled to ends of the at least one filament and may be configured to exert a force on the filament to vary the size of the grasping portion between a plurality of pre-selected discrete configurations of the grasping portion. In addition, the medical device may include a sheath member extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. The proximal ends of the plurality of movable branch members may be disposed within the sheath member.