Articulating Laparoscopic Catheter with Variable Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laparoscopic fluid delivery devices are difficult to maneuver, prone to fluid wastage, and complex in operation, making it challenging to precisely apply medical fluids to targeted areas without dripping on non-targeted tissues, and they often trap valuable medical fluids within the device.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic medical fluid delivery device with a flexible catheter having a pre-shaped 90° distal end and a movable inner stainless steel tube that allows for variable curvature and 360° rotation, enabling one-handed operation and efficient delivery of medical fluids, along with a syringe system that effectively expels trapped fluids from the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid tubular member is used for fluid delivery, then structural stability is maintained, but maneuverability and ability to reach behind anatomical structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the tubular member into two segments: a rigid proximal portion for structural stability and a flexible distal portion for maneuverability. The rigid outer tubular member provides stability during insertion and positioning, while the flexible inner catheter allows the distal end to bend and reach behind anatomical structures. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different mechanical properties to different sections of the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies local quality by making only the distal end of the catheter flexible while keeping the proximal portion rigid. This allows the specific region that needs to navigate complex anatomy (the tip) to have flexible properties, while the insertion shaft maintains rigidity for stable handling and positioning. The differential mechanical properties are localized to where they are most needed.
2Ease of operation
If a bendable distal end is added to improve maneuverability, then ability to reach targeted sites improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bending function from a complex multi-component system and implements it through a simpler concentric tube design. Instead of using multiple tubular members with slots and pull-wires as in prior art, the patent achieves articulation by simply allowing the flexible inner catheter to bend relative to the rigid outer tube through axial movement. This extraction of the essential bending function reduces structural complexity while maintaining maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible catheter made from elastomeric material as the bending element. This flexible shell replaces complex mechanical articulation mechanisms with a simple flexible tube that can naturally bend and conform to anatomical structures. The elastomeric material provides the necessary flexibility while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating the need for slots, wires, or complex hinge mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional rigid applicators are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but precision in directing adhesive to targeted area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic controllability to the fluid delivery system through the articulating distal end. The flexible catheter can be actively bent and positioned by axial movement of the inner tube, allowing real-time adjustment of the tip orientation. This dynamic capability enables precise directing of the adhesive stream to the targeted area while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing compared to other articulation mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device allows for precise, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of medical fluids to targeted tissues with minimal waste, simplifying the operation and reducing the complexity of fluid delivery, while ensuring all trapped medical fluids are utilized.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible catheter made from a material having memory retention properties
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A laparoscopic medical fluid delivery device includes a catheter (6) having a articulating tip (8) formed with shape memory properties and thus having a pre-shaped curvature. A tubular member (4) is reciprocatingly slidable axiall on the catheter to selectively cover and uncover portions of the articulating tip to thereby selectively vary the degree of curvature of the articulating tip. An actuator (28) operatively linked to the tubular member selectively moves the tubular member reciprocatingly on the catheter. The pre-shaped articulating tip of the catheter is constrained by the tubular member from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when the tubular member covers the articulating tip, and bends to a selected degree of curvature when the articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by the tubular member.