Deflectable Sensing Instrument Flexure Control for Wall Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive medical procedures face challenges in accurately positioning sensing instruments within anatomical passageways to visualize target tissues and guide interventional tools due to difficulties in achieving contact between sensing elements and the passageway walls, especially in larger diameters, which can degrade image quality and limit the versatility of instruments.
Innovation Solution
A deflectable sensing instrument system with a flexible elongate member and a flexure control apparatus that allows the sensing element to bend and change orientation, enabling contact with the passageway wall while allowing independent control of the interventional tool's trajectory, thereby improving imaging and operational versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid sensing instrument is used, then the instrument structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sensing element cannot contact the passageway wall in larger diameter anatomical structures, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing instrument incorporates a flexure portion that allows the distal portion to dynamically bend and articulate relative to the proximal portion. This dynamic capability enables the sensing element to contact the passageway wall in larger diameter anatomical structures while maintaining a relatively simple overall instrument structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument uses a flexure portion with a flexible structure that allows bending and articulation of the distal portion. This flexible mechanism enables the sensing element to adapt to the passageway geometry and achieve wall contact without requiring a completely complex articulated structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensing element is fixed relative to the instrument shaft, then the instrument structure is simple, but the instrument cannot adapt to various anatomical configurations and target tissue locations
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure portion enables the distal portion to articulate dynamically, allowing the sensing element to reach different target tissue locations and adapt to various anatomical configurations. This dynamic articulation provides versatility without requiring multiple separate instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is divided into a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a flexure portion. This segmentation allows independent movement and positioning of the distal portion, enhancing adaptability to different anatomical configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Measurement precision
If the sensing instrument is deflected to contact the passageway wall, then image quality improves, but the control and positioning of the instrument becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure portion provides an additional degree of freedom for the distal portion, allowing it to articulate in a direction perpendicular to the instrument shaft. This dimensional change enables the sensing element to contact the passageway wall for improved imaging while the proximal portion remains easily controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the instrument into proximal and distal portions connected by a flexure, the control complexity is isolated to the distal portion. The proximal portion remains simple to control, while the distal portion's articulation is managed through the flexible connection, maintaining ease of operation.
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
The system enhances the accuracy and quality of intra-operative imaging by ensuring contact between the sensing element and the passageway wall, providing clear images of target tissues and interventional tools, and facilitating more complex procedures in various anatomical configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a flexure at the flexure portion of the elongate flexible member... configured to bend the flexure to change an orientation of the sensing element
Data Source
AI summary
A system may comprise a sensing instrument including an elongate flexible member with a channel extending therein. The elongate flexible member may include a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a flexure portion between the distal and proximal portions. The sensing instrument may also include a flexure at the flexure portion of the elongate flexible member, a sensing element coupled at the distal portion of the elongate flexible member, and a flexure control apparatus extending within the elongate flexible member and configured to bend the flexure to change an orientation of the sensing element relative to the proximal portion of the elongate flexible member. The sensing instrument may also include an exit port in the proximal portion of the elongate flexible member.