Articulation Joint Bending Structure for Low-Cost Sterile Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulation joints in steerable medical devices are expensive to manufacture and prone to cross-patient contamination, necessitating the development of more affordable and contamination-resistant solutions.
Innovation Solution
The articulation joint design incorporates a plurality of articulation links with elongate bodies, radially extending arms, and lumens to accommodate a bending member and control member, featuring asymmetric central axes and contact surfaces for relative movement, allowing for flexible bending while reducing material costs and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If articulation joints are made from stainless steel or other biocompatible materials, then reliability and biocompatibility are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by designing articulation joints that can be sterilized and reused multiple times rather than requiring expensive biocompatible materials like stainless steel. The joint components are made from cost-effective materials that maintain reliability through proper sterilization protocols, eliminating the need for costly premium materials while reducing manufacturing costs.
2Reliability
If articulation joints are made from stainless steel or other biocompatible materials, then reliability is improved, but risk of cross-patient contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses contamination risk by designing articulation joints as disposable or easily sterilizable components. Rather than relying on expensive biocompatible materials that still require repeated sterilization, the design allows for cost-effective replacement or sterilization, reducing the risk of cross-patient contamination while lowering manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If articulation joints are designed with complex structures to withstand repeated sterilizations, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by designing articulation joints that do not require complex sterilization-resistant structures. Instead, the joints are designed to be sterilizable or replaceable at low cost, eliminating the need for expensive complex structures while maintaining reliability through proper sterilization or replacement protocols.
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
This design enhances the flexibility and control of steerable medical devices while lowering manufacturing costs and reducing the risk of contamination, making minimally invasive procedures more cost-effective and safer.
Implementation Method 1
the bending member can include at least one of an elastomeric rod and spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an articulation joint that can include a plurality of articulation links, wherein each articulation link can include an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. Each articulation link can further include a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the elongate body, wherein each arm includes an inner end attached to the outer surface of the elongate body and a second lumen extending from a proximal side of the arm to a distal side of the arm. The articulation joint can also include a bending member positioned within the first lumen of the elongate body and a control member positioned within a plurality of second lumens, wherein each of the plurality of second lumens includes a common longitudinal axis.