Catheter Robot Translation Modules Automate Element Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual exchange of flexible elongated medical elements in catheter robots increases procedure time and limits maneuverability, especially in complex interventions requiring multiple elements.
Innovation Solution
A catheter robot with multiple catheter translation modules, each equipped with a set of movable parts that can automatically switch between tracks, allowing for robotic translation and rotation of flexible medical elements, with a clamping device to secure unclamped elements and reduce manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual exchange of flexible elongated medical elements is performed, then the catheter robot can handle multiple elements, but the procedure time increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes (parking lot mode and robotized track mode) allowing automatic translation of multiple flexible elongated medical elements. The translation mechanism can be activated or deactivated for each track, enabling automated exchange without manual intervention and reducing procedure time while maintaining the ability to handle multiple elements simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter robot incorporates a universal translation mechanism that can service multiple tracks (both parking lot tracks and robotized tracks). This single mechanism can translate any flexible elongated medical element on any track, eliminating the need for separate manual exchange procedures for each element and significantly reducing overall procedure time
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual exchange of flexible elongated medical elements is performed, then element replacement is possible, but the number of operational steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of the translation mechanism to automatically perform exchanges. By programmatically controlling when and how the mechanism translates elements between tracks, the system reduces the number of manual operational steps while maintaining full exchange capability between parking lot and robotized tracks
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter robot performs self-service by automatically translating flexible elongated medical elements between tracks without requiring manual intervention. The system manages its own element exchange operations through automated control of the translation mechanism, reducing operational complexity and the number of steps required
3Shape
If curved balloon design is used in catheter robot, then catheter configuration is improved, but push force is limited and maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the curvature of the balloon catheter during translation. By controlling the translation mechanism to gradually advance the catheter and allowing it to progressively assume its curved configuration rather than forcing a pre-curved shape, the system maintains push force and maneuverability while achieving the desired catheter shape at the target location
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a catheter robot including: a base, at least two catheter translation modules supported by the base, each catheter translation module including: only one set of movable parts so as to translate longitudinally at a time only one flexible elongated medical element, a group of several crossing tracks within which several corresponding flexible elongated medical elements can translate through the catheter translation module, a switch to direct the single set of movable parts in any of the crossing tracks so as to then translate longitudinally the corresponding flexible elongated medical element, the first and second catheter translation modules being longitudinally spaced apart from each other so that: respective groups of crossing tracks of both catheter translation modules are facing each other so that a given flexible elongated medical element which translates within a crossing track of one group also translates within a crossing track of the other group.