Steerable Guide Catheter Rack Pinion Steering Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steerable guide catheters require excessive manipulation by physicians and often have an overbuilt design with unnecessary components, leading to inefficiency and increased procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A guide catheter with a steering mechanism that utilizes a flexible guide tube, a pull wire, and a compact steering assembly comprising a stationary rack, gear, reel, and slider to achieve deflection of the distal end portion with minimal manipulation, incorporating a fast-pitch lead screw that can be passively locked to maintain position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current steerable guide catheters are used, then deflection of the distal tip can be achieved, but excessive manipulation by the physician is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the steering mechanism by implementing a rack and pinion gear system with a reel. This gear system provides mechanical advantage, allowing small rotational movements of the reel to translate into larger deflection angles at the distal tip of the guide catheter, thereby reducing the manipulation effort required by the physician.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex traditional steering mechanisms with a more efficient compact steering assembly comprising a rack, pinion gear, and reel. This simplified mechanical system reduces the number of components and manipulation steps while maintaining effective deflection control, thus reducing procedure time.
2Ease of operation
If current steerable guide catheters are designed with multiple components, then steering functionality can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple steering components into a single integrated compact steering assembly. The rack, pinion gear, and reel are combined into one cohesive unit that provides complete steering functionality. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components while maintaining effective steering control through the interconnected mechanical elements.
3Force
If traditional steering mechanisms are used, then deflection can be achieved, but mechanical advantage is insufficient requiring excessive manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rack and pinion gear system that provides significant mechanical advantage. The gear engages with the rack to convert small rotational movements of the reel into larger linear displacements and deflection angles at the distal tip. This mechanical substitution amplifies the physician's input force, making operation easier and more efficient.
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 solution provides a mechanical advantage that translates small clinician movements into larger guide tube deflections with reduced component complexity, enhancing physician efficiency and reducing procedure time while maintaining the deflected position without continuous hand manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
The gear engages the rack and the reel is coupled to and configured to rotate with the gear
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a fast-pitch lead screw that can be passively locked to maintain position
Implementation Method 3
The pull wire is coupled to the reel such that rotation of the reel causes the pull wire to wind or unwind around the reel
Data Source
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AI summary
An endovascular guide catheter includes a guide tube and a handle. The flexible guide tube has a distal end portion configured to deflect via actuation of a pull wire. The handle is coupled to the guide tube and comprises a steering assembly configured to actuate the pull wire to deflect the distal end portion of the guide tube. The steering assembly can comprise a stationary rack, a gear, a reel, and a slider. The gear engages the rack and the reel is coupled to and configured to rotate with the gear. The pull wire is coupled to the reel such that rotation of the reel causes the pull wire to wind or unwind around the reel. The slider is adapted for translation relative to the rack. Translation of the slider translates the reel relative to the rack and rotation of the gear along the rack rotates the reel.