Distal Steering Tube Flexibility With Intermediate Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering tools for medical devices lack precise control over the flexibility and locking mechanisms of the distal portion, limiting their ability to navigate complex body lumens effectively.
Innovation Solution
A steering tool with an internal and external tube arrangement that allows for longitudinal axial movement, featuring a locking mechanism with adjustable biasing forces to control the flexibility of the distal portion, enabling locked, intermediate, and unlocked positions for precise navigation and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the internal and external tubes are allowed to move freely relative to one another, then the steering tool can bend to conform to body lumen shapes, but the tool lacks stability and cannot maintain a fixed position for guiding catheters
Solution Approach 1:
The steering tool implements a dynamic locking mechanism that allows the operator to switch between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position, the internal and external tubes can move freely to conform to body lumen shapes. In the locked position, the tubes are fixed at predetermined positions to maintain stability for guiding catheters. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
2Device complexity
If the locking mechanism provides only fully locked or fully unlocked positions, then the structure is simple, but the control over distal flexibility is imprecise for complex navigation tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The steering tool employs multiple stop elements positioned at different locations along the internal tube, each corresponding to a predetermined locking position. By changing which stop element engages with the biasing device, the operator can precisely control the degree of flexibility and the locked position of the distal portion. This allows precise adjustment of tube relative positions while maintaining a relatively simple locking mechanism structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distal portion is made completely flexible to navigate complex lumens, then navigation capability is improved, but the ability to provide stable guidance for catheters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing device provides a locking mechanism that can be switched between engaged and disengaged states. When disengaged, the distal portion is completely flexible for navigating complex lumens. When engaged, the biasing device locks the internal and external tubes at predetermined positions, providing stable and reliable guidance for catheters. This dynamic state change allows the tool to switch between high adaptability and high reliability as needed.
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
Enhances the ability to navigate complex body lumens by providing controlled flexibility and stability, allowing the tool to conform to lumen shapes and serve as a guide wire for catheters and other devices.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment assembly includes a biasing device operative to apply a biasing force on at least one of the internal and external tubes that at least partially inhibits movement of the internal and external tubes relative to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A steering tool includes an internal tube disposed inside an external tube. The internal and external tubes are arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one another. A distal end of the internal tube is fixedly joined to a distal end of the external tube. A tube manipulator can cause relative axial movement and distal bending of the internal and external tubes. A locking mechanism can switch between a locked position in which the internal and external tubes are locked at a particular longitudinal axial position relative to one another, and an unlocked position in which there is uninhibited free movement of the internal and external tubes relative to one another. The locking mechanism also includes an intermediate locked position in which there is partially inhibited movement of the internal and external tubes relative to one another.