Catheter Input Device Orientation Blocks Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotically controlled catheter systems lack intuitive and precise methods for clinicians to manipulate the position and orientation of catheters within a patient's body, limiting their ability to perform complex surgical procedures effectively.
Innovation Solution
An input device comprising orientation blocks and a controller that determines the orientation of these blocks, outputting control signals to an actuator to manipulate the catheter's tip, combined with a user interface that allows clinicians to input desired shapes for the catheter tip, enabling precise control over the catheter's position and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If robotically controlled catheter systems are used to manipulate catheters within a patient's body, then the ability to perform surgical procedures is improved, but the precision and control for complex surgical procedures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is divided into multiple orientation blocks, each representing a specific portion of the catheter assembly. Each block can be independently manipulated to control different segments of the catheter, enabling precise control over the catheter's shape and orientation through modular manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation blocks create a physical model or copy of the desired catheter configuration. By manipulating these blocks to form a specific shape, the system translates the physical arrangement into control signals that replicate this shape with the actual catheter, ensuring precise positioning and orientation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional catheter control methods are used, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the ability to perform complex surgical procedures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation blocks serve multiple functions: they represent different portions of the catheter assembly, enable manipulation of catheter shape and orientation, and generate control signals for the robotic actuator. This multi-functional design enhances surgical capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation blocks act as an intermediary between the clinician's manual manipulation and the robotic catheter control system. By physically arranging these blocks, the clinician intuitively defines the desired catheter configuration, which the controller then translates into precise robotic movements, bridging the gap between simple user interaction and complex surgical capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes a plurality of orientation blocks each representing a portion of a catheter assembly and a controller configured to determine an orientation of the plurality of orientation blocks relative to one another. The controller is further configured to output a control signal that causes a tip of a catheter assembly to adopt the orientation determined by the controller. A system includes an actuator configured to manipulate a position and orientation of the catheter assembly. The controller of the input device is configured to output a control signal to the actuator to make a tip of a catheter assembly adopt the orientation determined by the controller. The input device can be virtually represented on a computing device.