Articulating Shaft Layout for Space-Constrained Endoscopic Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices such as ureteroscopes and endoscopes face limitations in incorporating features and instruments due to limited space for electronic components, imaging, and working channels, as well as restricted access through a patient's anatomy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an articulating shaft with a composite cable that houses electrical wires and an articulation mechanism, allowing control of the shaft's distal portion through user input, and includes channels for instruments and electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reduced profile shaft is used to traverse through patient's anatomy, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to limited space for electronic components and working channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the composite cable (containing electrical wires for articulation control) within an accessory channel inside the shaft structure. This nested arrangement allows the articulation mechanism to be integrated within the existing shaft profile without increasing external dimensions, thereby maintaining ease of navigation while incorporating additional control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension of the shaft by creating an accessory channel that houses the composite cable. This dimensional approach allows the articulation mechanism to be accommodated within the shaft's cross-sectional space rather than increasing the longitudinal profile, effectively using available internal volume to resolve the contradiction between reduced profile and enhanced functionality.
2Ease of operation
If space for electronic components is limited at the distal face, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability worsens due to restricted imaging and illumination capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The composite cable serves multiple functions: it houses electrical wires for articulation control, and can also accommodate optical fibers for imaging and illumination. This multi-functional design allows the limited distal space to support both navigation control and imaging capabilities, thereby maintaining adaptability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the articulation control function and imaging/illumination function into a single composite cable structure. By combining these functions within one integrated cable assembly, the design efficiently utilizes the limited distal face space while providing both articulation control and imaging capabilities, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If space within shaft cross section is limited, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to restricted working channels and fluid channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shaft internal space into distinct functional zones: a working channel for instruments, an accessory channel for the composite cable, and fluid channels for irrigation/suction. This segmentation allows each function to be accommodated in its dedicated space, enabling complex functionality while maintaining a manageable overall structure that does not compromise ease of navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices and systems with articulating shafts are described. The medical device may include a handle including an articulation mechanism, e.g., with an actuator configured to receive user input, and a shaft extending distally from the handle. The shaft may define an accessory channel that houses a composite cable extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal portion of the shaft. The composite cable may include at least one electrical wire operable coupled to at least one electronic component at or proximate a distal end of the shaft. The articulation mechanism may be configured to articulate the distal portion of the shaft by controlling movement of the composite cable by the user input received by the actuator.