Interlocking Gear System for Sterile Robotic Catheter Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic catheter navigation systems face challenges in sterilization due to exposure to blood and contaminants, requiring costly sterilization after each procedure.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking gear system that isolates motors and non-disposable parts within a sterile bag, using torque transfer disks to rotate gears for catheter steering, allowing for reduced sterilization needs by separating the motor components from direct contact with contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If motors and non-disposable parts are isolated within a sterile bag, then sterilization requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct segments: a sterile disposable catheter handle containing gears and shafts, and a non-sterile reusable motor unit. The torque transfer disk acts as the interface between these segments, allowing the sterile and non-sterile portions to be separated for sterilization purposes while maintaining functional connectivity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque transfer disk serves as an intermediary component that bridges the sterile and non-sterile portions of the system. It transfers rotational torque from the motor shaft to the gear system without requiring the motor itself to be sterile, thus enabling cost-effective sterilization of only the necessary components.
2Device complexity
If motors directly drive gears in the catheter handle, then device complexity is reduced, but sterilization cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The direct drive connection is segmented into two parts: a torque transfer disk in the sterile handle and a motor coupling in the non-sterile motor unit. This segmentation allows the expensive-to-sterilize motor to be isolated from the sterile field while maintaining the mechanical drive function through the torque transfer interface.
3Ease of operation
If the torque transfer disk nests within separable portions, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transfer disk is designed with a nested structure where separable portions can be assembled together to form the complete disk. This nesting approach simplifies assembly during manufacturing and allows for modular production, while precision features ensure proper alignment and torque transfer when the portions are joined.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic catheter navigation system, and a method for operating the robotic catheter navigation system, are provided. The robotic catheter navigation system comprises a catheter handle, a motor, and a torque transfer disk. The catheter handle comprises a set of gears coupled to a first shaft. The motor is for rotating a second shaft. The torque transfer disk is coupled to the first shaft and the second shaft for transferring the rotation of the second shaft to the first shaft to thereby rotate the set of gears for steering a catheter.