Hinged Catheter Control Handle With Deformable Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control handles for medical tubular elements like catheters and cannulas are difficult to use due to their design, which often requires repeated clamping and releasing, can cause mechanical strain, and may tire the operator's hand, potentially damaging the element and compromising precision.
Innovation Solution
A control handle with a hinged outer casing and deformable jaws that provide a large contact surface for secure gripping and controlled movement, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling with the tubular element, reducing mechanical stress, and enabling precise manipulation without constant finger action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through hole insertion design is used, then the control handle can accommodate the tubular element, but repeated clamping and releasing is required which tires the operator's hand and reduces precision
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle employs a dynamic clamping mechanism where the jaws can be quickly released and re-clamped on the tubular element. This allows the operator to maintain a stable grip without continuous finger action, reducing hand fatigue while preserving precise control throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control handle is divided into functional segments including a body, movable jaws, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the jaws provide secure gripping while the release mechanism enables quick repositioning without compromising the overall stability and precision of the device.
2Strength
If a ferrule with elastic unit is used, then the tubular element can be clamped securely, but the element must be inserted to a pre-established length which may cause mechanical strain
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle features jaws with localized high-friction surfaces that contact only specific portions of the tubular element. This concentrated contact provides secure gripping strength while distributing mechanical stress across a larger area of the element, preventing damage and strain.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaws are constructed with materials or surface treatments that provide high friction coefficients, enabling strong gripping forces to be applied to the tubular element without causing mechanical strain or damage to the element itself.
3Measurement precision
If the control handle is gripped firmly for stable thrust, then positioning precision is improved, but the operator cannot easily reposition the element which reduces flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle incorporates a quick-release mechanism that allows the operator to rapidly release and re-clamp the tubular element at different positions. This dynamic capability maintains firm gripping for precise positioning while enabling flexible repositioning when needed, combining both precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control handle design allows the operator to easily adjust the clamping position along the tubular element without requiring assistance or complex maneuvers. The element can be repositioned by simply releasing and re-clamping at the desired location, providing self-service repositioning capability.
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 control handle offers high flexibility and ease of use, minimizing the risk of damage to the tubular element, maintaining operator precision, and reducing fatigue, while allowing for efficient positioning and manipulation of the cannula during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
there is an elastic unit that surrounds a portion of the catheter along the whole format with at least three edges that are tightened onto the outer surface of the tubular element to be clamped
Implementation Method 2
locked in position by a spring-loaded button or a 'push to release' type elastic means, i.e. the element engaged by the spring-loaded button or the elastic means is free to slide within the body of the control handle only when the spring-loaded button or the elastic means are pressed
Implementation Method 3
the element inserted into the control handle crosses a body solidly joined to the spring-loaded button or to the elastic means by means of a through hole: the activation of the button in the engagement position produces stress, prevalently shear stress, preventing all types of sliding of the locked element
Data Source
AI summary
A control handle (1) for a tubular element (100) for medical use, comprising an outer casing (2) comprising a first half-shell (2a) and a second half-shell (2b) connected to each other in a respective side connecting portion so that the first (2a) and the second (2b) half-shell are configurable in at least a configuration of being moved away from each other, adapted to enable the transversal insertion of at least a portion of the tubular element (100) between the two half-shells (2a, 2b), and a configuration of being moved near each other adapted to close over said portion of the tubular element (100). Each half-shell (2a, 2b) has a respective jaw (9a, 9b), the jaws (9a, 9b) of the two half-shells (2a, 2b) cooperate with each other to define a clamping member (9) suitable for being tightened around a portion of the tubular element (100).A control handle (1) further comprising driving means (11), applied on at least one of said half-shells (2a, 2b) and acting upon the respective jaw (9a, 9b) to move said jaw (9a, 9b) away from and toward the other jaw (9b, 9a) so as to produce, respectively, a release configuration and a clamping configuration of said clamping member (9).