Detachable Steering Unit for Disposable Steerable Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steerable surgical instruments face challenges with high manufacturing complexity, material weakness, and contamination issues, particularly in longer instruments, leading to difficulties in steerability, flexibility, stiffness, durability, and contamination prevention, especially in medical applications like colonoscopy.
Innovation Solution
A steerable instrument design featuring a supporting unit with a first channel and a steering unit that allows easy coupling and decoupling of longitudinal elements, utilizing a ball-shaped element and a locking mechanism for precise control and secure attachment, enabling disposable instruments while reusing the steering device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional steering cables with sub 1 mm diameters are used in prior art devices, then the instrument can be steered, but the instrument becomes complex to manufacture resulting in expensive instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steering function from the instrument shaft by using a separate steering device that connects to the instrument. The steering cables are contained within the steering device rather than being integrated into the instrument shaft, simplifying instrument manufacturing while maintaining steering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate components: the instrument with longitudinal elements and the steering device with steering cables. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while preserving steering functionality
2Device complexity
If plastic extruded tube is used to accommodate cables, then the instrument construction is simple, but the plastic is rather weak causing problems in very long instruments due to high forces on cables
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device is separated from the instrument shaft, allowing the steering cables to be housed in a robust steering device structure rather than a weak plastic tube in the instrument shaft. This maintains construction simplicity while providing adequate mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the instrument, housing the steering cables in a structurally sound environment. This mediator protects the weak instrument shaft from bearing the high forces required for steering
3Device complexity
If plastic tube is used with integrated channels, then the construction is simple, but the channels may be deformed in bent portions causing steering cables to be clamped and cannot move freely
Solution Approach 1:
The steering cables are extracted from the instrument shaft and housed in the steering device. This eliminates the problem of deformed channels in the instrument shaft, as the cables now travel through the steering device's channel structure which is designed to accommodate cable movement even when bent
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device serves as an intermediary that provides a stable, non-deforming path for the steering cables. The steering device's structure maintains consistent channel geometry even when the overall system is bent, ensuring cables can move freely
4Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable instruments are used to prevent contamination, then contamination risk is minimized, but the cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into disposable instrument components and reusable steering device components. Only the instrument portion that contacts the patient is disposable, while the expensive steering device can be sterilized and reused, reducing overall cost and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument shaft and longitudinal elements are designed as disposable components that can be easily discarded after single use, while the steering device is designed for recovery and reuse. This selective disposal approach minimizes contamination risk while reducing waste and cost
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device for connecting to an elongated instrument comprises a supporting unit comprising a first channel having a first central axis, said first channel extending from a distal side to a proximal side of the supporting unit, wherein the supporting unit is arranged around said first channel, and a steering unit rotationally arranged on said supporting unit, the steering unit arranged to secure/release a plurality of longitudinal elements of an instrument to move with the rotational movement of the steering unit.