Flexible Catheter Steering Shaft for Intuitive Tip Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter control systems lack intuitive control mechanisms for bending the distal end, often requiring complex rotational movements that do not directly correspond to the desired bending motion of the catheter tip.
Innovation Solution
A catheter control device incorporating a flexible steering shaft, pulleys, steering wires, and a swashplate mechanism that translates intuitive handle movements into corresponding distal end movements, utilizing components such as elastomers, metallic springs, or flexible metal tubing, and hydraulic actuators to achieve direct control over the catheter tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rotational dials are used to control catheter bending, then the catheter can be steered, but the control is not intuitive and does not directly correspond to the desired bending motion
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft is designed to physically replicate the desired bending motion of the catheter tip. When the operator bends the steering shaft in a particular direction, it directly corresponds to the bending direction of the catheter distal end, creating an intuitive 1:1 mapping between operator input and catheter response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional rotational dial mechanisms with a flexible steering shaft system that uses direct mechanical bending motion. This substitution eliminates the non-intuitive rotational control and replaces it with natural hand-bending motions that directly translate to catheter tip movement.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible steering shaft with pulleys and steering wires is used, then intuitive control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate components such as pulleys and steering wires that act as mediators between the flexible steering shaft and the catheter pull wires. These intermediaries transmit and translate the bending motion of the steering shaft into the appropriate tensioning of pull wires, enabling intuitive control while managing the complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional components: the flexible steering shaft for input, pulleys for motion translation, steering wires for force transmission, and pull wires for catheter actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability.
3Measurement precision
If complex rotational mechanisms are used for catheter control, then steering capability is achieved, but operational ease and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft physically copies the desired catheter tip trajectory through direct bending motion. This 1:1 motion copying provides precise control because the operator's hand movements directly determine the catheter tip position without requiring interpretation of rotational dial positions or complex mechanical transformations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible steering shaft system is self-aligning and self-adjusting. As the operator bends the shaft, the internal mechanics automatically distribute the forces through the pulleys and wires to achieve the precise desired catheter configuration, eliminating the need for complex calibration or coordination between multiple controls.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides intuitive control over the catheter distal end, allowing for precise and direct manipulation of the catheter tip in multiple directions, enhancing operational ease and reducing the risk of damage during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible steering shaft are configured to bend in response to a force being applied to the flexible steering shaft
Implementation Method 2
The one or more steering wires and the one or more pulleys are configured to transfer the force to the one or more pull wires of the catheter
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter steering system wherein the user interface device is a flexible shaft that can be manipulated by hand. The motion imparted on the flexible steering device is reflected in the motion of the catheter tip through an arrangement of pull wires or other mechanisms. Through this arrangement a more intuitive control of the catheter tip is obtained. In an example, a catheter control device includes a catheter port configured to receive the proximal end of a catheter that includes one or more pull wires for attachment to a swashplate, a swashplate, a steering shaft configured to bend in response to a force being applied to the steering shaft; and a mechanism configured to translate the bend of the steering shaft to movement of the swashplate to correspondingly move the distal tip of a catheter coupled to the swashplate.