Electric Handle Lead-Screw Drive for Prosthetic Valve Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manual delivery systems for prosthetic valves in interventional procedures are laborious, prone to hand fatigue, and result in inaccurate operations due to demanding manual operations and lack of precise control over deployment.
Innovation Solution
An electric handle with a power-driven transmission mechanism and control buttons for prosthetic valve delivery, allowing single-handed operation with precise control over direction and speed, eliminating the need for manual force and reducing fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual delivery systems are used for prosthetic valve delivery, then the system structure remains simple, but the operation becomes laborious and prone to hand fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical push-pull mechanism with an electric drive system. The electric handle includes a motor that drives a lead screw mechanism, which in turn drives the outer tube to advance and retract. This substitution eliminates the need for manual pushing and pulling operations, significantly reducing physician hand fatigue while maintaining precise control over the delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electric handle as an intermediary device between the operator and the delivery system. The handle contains control buttons that send electrical signals to the motor, which then controls the movement of the outer tube. This intermediary mechanism translates simple button presses into precise mechanical movements, improving ease of operation while managing system complexity through modular design.
2Measurement precision
If manual push-pull operations are performed, then the system remains easy to manufacture, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to hand fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive system with motor and lead screw replaces manual push-pull operations, enabling precise control of the outer tube's movement. The motor provides consistent, fatigue-free actuation, and the lead screw mechanism converts rotational motion into precise linear displacement. This allows the physician to accurately position the prosthetic valve at the target site without the positioning errors caused by hand fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates control buttons on the electric handle that allow the physician to control the direction and speed of the outer tube movement. The system provides controlled advancement and retraction with the ability to stop at predetermined positions, enabling precise positioning feedback. The physician can monitor the delivery system's position and make incremental adjustments to achieve accurate valve placement.
3Reliability
If sophisticated manual operations are required, then basic delivery functions are achieved, but surgical performance deteriorates due to operational errors
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive system eliminates sophisticated manual operations by automating the push-pull mechanism. The motor-controlled system reduces operational errors associated with manual fatigue and complex hand coordination. The system maintains reliability through controlled, repeatable movements and the ability to pause and adjust positioning as needed during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric handle system performs the actuation function automatically through the motor and control mechanism. The physician simply needs to press control buttons to initiate and control the movement, rather than manually manipulating complex mechanical linkages. This self-actuating system reduces the skill threshold and operational complexity while maintaining surgical reliability.
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
Enables accurate and reliable positioning of prosthetic valves with enhanced operating convenience and stability, reducing physician fatigue and improving surgical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a motor, a shaft coupler, a threaded rod, a moving nut and a bearing, wherein the motor is connected to the power supply socket and receives the signal from the controller; an output of the motor is coupled to the threaded rod via the shaft coupler
Implementation Method 2
the threaded rod is supported within the handle housing by the bearing; and the threaded rod has an outer thread that engages an inner thread of the moving nut
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~5b
Figure 6a~6c
AI summary
An electric handle for delivering an implant is disclosed. The electric handle (1) includes an electric control unit (10), a power-driven transmission mechanism (20), a handle housing (30), an outer tube anchor (40) and an inner tube anchor (50), wherein: the electric control unit (10) is operatively coupled to the power-driven transmission mechanism (20) to actuate the power-driven transmission mechanism (20); the power-driven transmission mechanism (20) is supported within the handle housing (30) and moveable together with the outer tube anchor (40); the inner tube anchor (50) is disposed within the handle housing (30) and is configured to hold an inner tube (3) of a delivery system; and the outer tube anchor (40) is configured to hold an outer tube (2) of the delivery system and is fixed to an end of the outer tube (2). A delivery system used especially for delivery of prosthetic valves is also disclosed, including an outer tube (2), an inner tube (3), an expandable implant (4) and the electric handle (1).