LAA Occluder Delivery Hub Alignment With Keyed Snap Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems for collapsible and expandable medical devices, such as left atrial appendage occluders, face challenges in securely aligning and maintaining the position of the sheath and dilator hubs during catheter-based procedures, leading to potential detachment and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device with a sheath hub featuring a keyed and snap feature to prevent rotation and axial movement, coupled with a dilator hub that provides tactile feedback for alignment, ensuring secure coupling and alignment during transseptal puncture and device deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple coupling mechanism is used between sheath hub and dilator hub, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a keyed interface for rotational alignment, a snap feature for axial positioning, and a latch mechanism for securing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall design manageable and not overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed interface uses asymmetric keyways that fit into corresponding recesses, providing inherent rotational alignment and preventing rotation during the procedure. This asymmetric design ensures reliable connection while maintaining simplicity through the use of straightforward geometric shapes rather than complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If tactile feedback features are added to dilator hub, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tactile feedback through physical features such as ridges, grooves, or textured surfaces on the dilator hub that provide sensory information to the operator during alignment. These tactile indicators allow the operator to sense rotational position and alignment status without requiring complex electronic systems, thus improving ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If keyed and snap features are implemented, then stability of alignment is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The keyed and snap features are designed and manufactured as integral parts of the hub components during the molding or fabrication process. By incorporating these features into the primary manufacturing steps rather than adding them as separate assembly operations, the patent achieves stable alignment while controlling manufacturing precision requirements through integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device includes a catheter sheath extending distally from the handle, a sheath hub coupled to the catheter sheath, the sheath hub having a body including at least one proximal aligning feature, a dilator insertable within the catheter sheath, and a dilator hub coupled to the dilator, the dilator hub having a hub aligning feature configured to couple to the at least one proximal aligning feature of the sheath hub.