Robotic Catheter Distal Guide Ring Notch Strain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steerable medical instruments face challenges in navigating tortuous paths due to a rigid distal portion, which limits flexibility and increases strain on delicate electrical wiring, potentially causing patient discomfort and instrument malfunction.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a robotically steerable medical instrument with a catheter body featuring a distal tip that houses electrical components, wire-guiding members arranged to form void regions, and strain relief elements within these voids to minimize tensile loads on the electrical cable during bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distal portion is made rigid to house electromagnetic sensors and maintain straight shape, then sensor functionality is improved, but catheter flexibility and maneuverability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into a rigid distal portion (containing the electromagnetic sensor and distal guide ring) and a flexible proximal portion. This segmentation allows each section to fulfill its specific function: the rigid distal portion maintains sensor alignment and structural integrity, while the flexible proximal portion enables navigation through tortuous anatomical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic sensor is housed within the rigid distal portion of the catheter, with the distal guide ring anchoring the sensor in place. This nested configuration protects the sensitive electromagnetic components while maintaining the overall catheter flexibility through the flexible proximal section.
2Reliability
If the electrical cable is routed offset from the central axis to accommodate the electromagnetic sensor, then sensor integration is improved, but cable strain and potential damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distal guide ring acts as an intermediary structure that anchors the electromagnetic sensor and provides a stable mounting point for the electrical cable. This intermediary element distributes mechanical loads and reduces strain on the electrical cable by providing a rigid attachment point within the distal portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical cable is routed through the rigid distal guide ring before reaching the flexible proximal portion. This routing arrangement pre-positiones the cable in a protected path that minimizes bending stresses and strain during catheter manipulation, preventing cable damage before it occurs.
3Manufacturing precision
If the distal guide ring is enlarged to provide stable sensor mounting, then sensor positioning accuracy is improved, but catheter flexibility and ease of navigation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into a rigid distal portion containing the distal guide ring and a flexible proximal portion. This segmentation confines the large rigid structure to only the distal tip where sensor mounting is required, while the majority of the catheter remains flexible for easy navigation through anatomical pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid structure with the large distal guide ring is localized only to the distal tip of the catheter where sensor positioning accuracy is critical. The proximal portion of the catheter maintains flexible properties to enable maneuverability, creating local quality differences that satisfy both precision and ease of operation requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable medical instrument, such as a catheter or endoscope, comprises a tubular body having non-steerable section and steerable sections arranged from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The tubular body defines a tool channel and a plurality of wire conduits formed along the wall of the tubular body. The steerable section includes wire-guiding members arranged in lengthwise direction alternated with void regions.