Handle-Mounted Rotation Assembly for Ureteroscope Shaft Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ureteroscopes face challenges due to limited working channel diameters and articulation joints that complicate handling, leading to safety concerns and procedural delays.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a rotation assembly at the handle, featuring a guide member and rotational member that allows for 360-degree rotation of the shaft, combined with articulation joints, enhancing maneuverability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If articulation joints are added to deflect the shaft, then navigation capability is improved, but handling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidhandling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components: a handle assembly, a shaft with articulation joints, and a rotation assembly. The articulation joints are segmented into multiple deflection points along the shaft, allowing independent control of each segment to achieve complex navigation paths while maintaining manageable control at each joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation assembly adds a rotational degree of freedom around the shaft's longitudinal axis, complementing the articulation joints' deflection capabilities in lateral planes. This multi-dimensional control system enables three-dimensional navigation by combining articulation-based bending with rotation-based orientation adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If working channel diameter is reduced, then device size is improved, but instrument versatility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidinstrument versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple instruments and tools are designed to nest within the constrained working channel diameter. The rotation assembly and articulation joints are integrated in a nested configuration where components are housed within each other, maximizing space utilization while maintaining full functionality despite the reduced overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If rotation assembly is added to the handle, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation assembly is merged with the handle structure, integrating the rotational control mechanism directly into the handle body. This consolidation allows the operator to control both rotation and articulation from a single handle assembly, improving maneuverability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250302279A1Medical devices and systems with a rotatable shaft

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Medical devices and systems with a rotatable shaft are described herein. The disclosure includes a medical device. The medical device includes a shaft, a handle, and a rotation assembly. The rotation assembly is positioned at a distal end of the handle. A proximal portion of the shaft is fixedly coupled to the rotation assembly. The rotation assembly includes a guide member. The guide member is fixedly coupled to the handle. The rotation assembly also includes a rotational member. The rotational member is rotatable relative to the guide member and the handle. The shaft is configured to rotate with the rotational member.