Steerable Medical Handle With Dual Knobs for Four-Way Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steerable medical device handles, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,944,690 and 7,691,095, lack ease of use, precision in steering, and are complex to manufacture, making them difficult to operate and control.
Innovation Solution
A handle design featuring a spindle with rotatable knobs and wire holders that allow for precise control over multiple control wires, enabling deflection of a medical device in four directions, with a lock mechanism to maintain desired shapes, and anti-rotation washers to prevent unintended rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slider mechanism is used to control control wires, then the device can be steered, but the handle is awkward to grasp and use with limited control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into separate functional components: a grip portion for comfortable hand placement, a spindle for wire routing, multiple independent knobs for controlling different wire pairs, and a lock mechanism for position maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall ease of operation and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a slider mechanism that moves along a track, the invention inverts the approach by using rotatable knobs that turn to manipulate wires. This inversion provides more intuitive control and greater precision in wire manipulation, directly addressing the limitation of the slider mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bi-directional steerable catheter control handle with adjustment knob is used, then steering control is achieved, but the device is complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a wire routing channel, and a mounting platform for multiple knobs. The lock mechanism simultaneously secures multiple wire holders in position. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatile steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single integrated handle structure. The grip, spindle, multiple knobs, and lock mechanism are combined into one unified assembly that can be manufactured as a single unit or pre-assembled components, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to separate control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a thumb control mechanism is used, then basic steering is possible, but precision for minute manipulations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The knobs are designed to be rotatable in continuous motion, providing dynamic control over wire tension. This continuous rotation capability allows for precise, incremental adjustments of control wire tension, enabling minute manipulations of the catheter tip position that exceed the resolution of static thumb controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A handle for a steerable medical device including a plurality of control wires, a distal end of the plurality of control wires being coupled to the medical device at a distal region thereof, includes a grip having a distal end and a proximal end. A spindle extends from the distal end of the grip and includes a channel for receiving the control wires and a plurality of openings through which the plurality of control wires extend. A first knob is rotatably coupled to the spindle. The first knob is configured for actuating a first wire holder to manipulate a first control wire to produce a change in deflection of the medical device in a first direction and actuating a second wire holder to manipulate a second control wire to produce a change in deflection of the medical device in a second direction. The handle includes a rotatable lock.