Catheter Actuator With 360-Degree Access and Integrated Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation catheters face challenges in usability and clinical efficiency due to limited accessibility and control mechanisms for spline assemblies, which hinder precise positioning and configuration changes during cardiac ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical catheter design featuring a tubular outer shaft, inner shaft, radially expandable spline assembly, handle, and actuator with a slider knob that allows 360-degree accessibility and integrated locking mechanisms, enabling precise control over the spline assembly's configuration through axial displacement and locking arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional actuator design is used with limited accessibility, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access to the spline assembly control
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed with a slider knob that can be accessed from multiple directions (360-degree accessibility) rather than being limited to a single access point. This dimensional change in accessibility allows the operator to reach the control mechanism from various angles, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator components are nested within the catheter structure, with the slider knob positioned to be accessible from the outside while the internal mechanisms remain compact. This nesting approach allows for easy access to the control interface while maintaining a streamlined overall device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner shaft is made slidable within the outer shaft to enable spline assembly expansion, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct segments (outer shaft, inner shaft, spline assembly) that can move independently relative to each other. The inner shaft can be slidated within the outer shaft to expand or collapse the spline assembly, allowing for adaptable configuration while maintaining a relatively simple actuation mechanism through the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a slider knob that can move axially and rotate, allowing the inner shaft to be selectively advanced or retracted. This dynamic design enables versatile configuration control of the spline assembly while using straightforward mechanical movements rather than complex actuation systems.
3Ease of operation
If the slider knob is made rotatable and axially displaceable for locking functionality, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and unlocking functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism where rotation of the slider knob in a specific direction engages a locking element, while rotation in the opposite direction releases it. This combined design provides easy operation through a unified control action rather than requiring separate locking and unlocking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the rotational direction of the slider knob. The locking element self-activates when the knob is rotated in the locking direction and self-releases when rotated in the opposite direction, providing ease of operation through automatic functionality without requiring additional complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical catheter comprising a tubular outer shaft, an inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer shaft and dimensioned to extend distally beyond the outer shaft, a radially expandable and radially collapsible spline assembly comprising a plurality of splines, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the outer shaft, wherein the proximal portion of the inner shaft is slidably disposed within the handle, an actuator comprising a slider knob slidably disposed about and fully circumscribing the outer surface of the handle body, wherein the slider knob is operatively coupled to the proximal portion of the inner shaft such that axial displacement of the slider knob by the user causes the inner shaft to translate axially relative to the outer shaft to selectively control a configuration of the spline assembly.