Actuating Member Axial Push-Pull Transmission for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices with actuating members for elongated flexible members face challenges in efficiently transmitting push-pull forces and maintaining a compact size, as they often require a pulley configuration that can interfere with the lumen and result in a larger apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An actuating member design featuring a push-pull member with a first and second connection portion connected to movement members, allowing axial movement to efficiently transmit forward and backward movements, enabling bending operations without changing the operation direction, and minimizing the device's size by aligning components along the axial direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pulley configuration is used to transmit push-pull forces, then the actuating member can perform bending operations, but the apparatus size increases and the pulley may interfere with the lumen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pulley component from the actuating member design. Instead of using a pulley to change the direction of the push-pull member, the invention uses a direct axial configuration where the push-pull member extends along the axial direction of the elongated member without requiring a pulley mechanism, thereby eliminating the space occupation and interference issues associated with pulleys
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a circumferential/winding configuration (requiring pulley) to a direct axial alignment. The push-pull member is arranged to extend in the axial direction of the elongated member, allowing bending operations to be achieved through axial movement rather than circumferential winding, thus eliminating the need for pulley components
2Adaptability or versatility
If the push-pull member is arranged circumferentially around the pulley, then bending operations can be performed, but the rigid wire cannot satisfactorily transmit push-pull force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a circumferential arrangement of the push-pull member around a pulley to a direct axial arrangement where the push-pull member extends along the axial direction of the elongated member. This dimensional change allows the rigid wire to be directly aligned with the force transmission path, enabling effective push-pull force transmission without the mechanical disadvantage of a pulley system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the pulley as an intermediary component between the push-pull member and the elongated member. By directly connecting the push-pull member to the elongated member along the axial direction, the force transmission path is simplified and direct, removing the potential for force loss or misalignment that could occur through pulley intermediaries
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the pulley is offset in the orthogonal direction to avoid interfering with the lumen, then the lumen can be maintained clear, but the actuating mechanism becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pulley component entirely from the design. By eliminating the pulley that required orthogonal offsetting to avoid lumen interference, the invention achieves both clear lumen passage and a compact actuating mechanism without the need for spatial offsetting or complex routing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a configuration requiring orthogonal offsetting (to avoid lumen interference) to a direct axial alignment. The push-pull member extends along the axial direction of the elongated member, allowing the actuating mechanism to be compact and centrally aligned without interfering with the lumen, thus eliminating the need for offsetting and reducing overall device size
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating member includes: a first movement member and a second movement member which are located at a proximal side of the elongated member and are configured to be relatively movable toward and away from each other along an axial direction of the elongated member; a push-pull member that includes a first connection portion configured to be connected to the first movement member, a first extension portion extending from the first connection portion toward a distal side in the axial direction of the elongated member, a second connection portion configured to be connected to the second movement member, and a second extension portion extending from the second connection portion toward the distal side in the axial direction of the elongated member; and an operation member configured to operate the movement of the first movement member and the second movement member.