Medical Device Handle With Fiber Slack For Delayed Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical device deployment systems lack the capability to accommodate complex deployment modes, such as steering, reconstraining, and multiple stage deployment, while maintaining ease of use for clinicians, particularly in endoluminal treatment of aortic diseases.

Innovation Solution

The introducer assembly includes a handle with a dual actuating mechanism that allows for the deployment of vascular implants by transitioning between constraining and deployment states, featuring a film sleeve or axially displaceable tube constraint, and a ratchet mechanism for controlled knob operation, enabling concurrent actuation of the sheath and blocking mechanisms with tactile feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dual actuating mechanism with multiple functions is implemented, then the capability to accommodate complex deployment modes is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to accommodate complex deployment modesVSAvoiddual actuating mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed with a dual actuating mechanism where a single handle structure performs multiple functions: it can actuate the deployment sheath through a first actuator and control the blocking mechanism through a second actuator. This multi-functional design allows the device to accommodate complex deployment modes including steering, reconstraining, and multiple stage deployment while using a unified control interface that maintains ease of use for clinicians

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuating mechanisms are integrated into the handle, then the functionality for concurrent operation is improved, but the ease of operation may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcurrent operation capabilityVSAvoidclinician ease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second actuators are integrated into a single handle structure, allowing concurrent operation of the deployment sheath and blocking mechanism through coordinated actuation. The actuators share common structural elements and control interfaces, enabling clinicians to perform complex deployment sequences without managing separate devices, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving sophisticated deployment capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If a ratchet mechanism is added for controlled operation, then the precision of positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidratchet mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ratchet mechanism incorporates tactile feedback through engagement teeth that provide audible and tactile clicks during actuation. This feedback mechanism allows clinicians to precisely control the actuation of the blocking mechanism and deployment sheath by feeling the discrete engagement positions, thereby achieving precise positioning without requiring complex electronic control systems or additional sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3125834B1Method of manufacturing a deployment handle of a medical device deployment system
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 WL GORE & ASSOC INC
  • EP3125834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3125834B1 patent drawingFigure 2~8
  • EP3125834B1 patent drawingFigure 9A~9B

AI summary

An introducer assembly having a handle, at least one fiber operatively coupling at least one handle with one or more functions of the handle; and having a fiber routing system that allows a predetermined amount of slack to be created during assembly in at least one fiber so as to delay by a desired amount of time actuation of the one or more functions of the handle associated with the at least one fiber during operation of the handle.