Articulation Section Locking via Cinching Element Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional articulated medical devices lack efficient locking and unlocking mechanisms, often requiring significant compressive forces to lock joints, which can apply high tensile forces to wires and complicate the manipulation of flexible devices.
Innovation Solution
An articulation section that can be locked using a single wire and unlocked by applying tension to another wire, utilizing a cinching element to restrict movement and apply frictional forces for secure locking and easy unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used to lock articulation joints, then the device can be locked in position, but significant compressive forces are required which apply high tensile forces to wires and complicate manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional locking approach by using tension instead of compression. The cinching element is pulled in a proximal direction to create friction against the articulation link, locking the joint through tension rather than compression. This inversion eliminates the need for high compressive forces while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical compression-based locking system with a friction-based tension system. Instead of using complex compression mechanisms that require significant force, the invention uses a cinching element that creates friction through tension, substituting a simpler mechanical principle that reduces operational complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then joints can be locked, but the complexity of the locking and unlocking mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex locking mechanisms from the articulation system. By using a simple cinching element that relies on friction through tension, the invention removes unnecessary mechanical components while maintaining reliable locking functionality. The solution takes out the complexity of traditional multi-component locking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cinching element system is self-locking through friction. When tension is applied to the cinching element, it automatically creates sufficient friction against the articulation link to maintain the locked position without requiring additional locking components. The system serves itself by using the tension force to create its own locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If compressive forces are applied to lock articulation links, then the joint can be locked, but high tensile forces are applied to wires which may cause wire damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the force application direction from compression to tension on the cinching element. By pulling the cinching element in the proximal direction, the system creates locking friction without subjecting wires to high tensile forces. This inversion protects wire integrity while achieving reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The cinching element acts as an intermediary that transfers force through friction rather than direct wire tension. Instead of applying high tensile forces directly to wires for locking, the cinching element mediates the force transmission through friction contact with the articulation link, protecting the wires from excessive stress.
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
Enables secure locking and easy unlocking of articulated medical devices, allowing for stable tissue manipulation and access to difficult-to-reach body sites with reduced risk of wire damage, and is applicable to various medical and industrial devices.
Implementation Method 1
a cinching element movable within the second lumen and configured to engage the first elongate member. Movement of the cinching element can be used to apply frictional forces to the first elongate member that restrict movement of the articulation section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (10; 410; 610) including: a steerable shaft (20) with a proximal end (30) and distal end (40), wherein the proximal end (30) can be manipulated by an operator to control the distal end (40); an articulation section (50; 450; 650) at or near the distal end (40), wherein the articulation section (50; 450; 650) is configured to move the distal end (40) relative to the proximal end (30); at least one elongate member (100; 500; 700) configured to control movement of the articulation section (50; 450; 650) in one or more directions, wherein: the at least one elongate member (100; 500; 700) extends through an internal passage of the articulation section (50; 450; 650), a distal end (105) of the at least one elongate member (100; 500; 700) is attached to the distal end (40) of the shaft (20), the at least one elongate member (100; 500; 700) is configured to move longitudinally to deflect the articulation section (50; 450; 650) relative to the proximal end (30), and the at least one elongate member (100; 500; 700) includes at least one protrusion (505; 705); and a cinching element (550; 750) comprising at least one recess (555) configured to engage with the at least one protrusion (505; 705) to limit movement of the at least one elongate member (100; 500; 700) within the internal passage.