Medical Device Control Handle With Disk Lever And Ring Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control handles for medical devices, particularly electrophysiological catheters, are limited in their ability to independently control multiple puller wires, which is necessary for complex procedures like atrial fibrillation treatment, requiring additional wires and space, and are not easily adaptable to existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A control handle with a disk actuator, lever actuator, and ring actuator that allow independent control of multiple puller wires, enabling bi-directional deflection and manipulation of catheter features, while being modular for integration with existing handles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple puller wires are added to enable bi-directional deflection and mapping assembly contraction, then the control capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (deflection, mapping assembly contraction, and additional catheter features) into a single integrated control handle. Multiple actuators are merged into one housing, allowing independent control of multiple puller wires through a unified interface, thereby improving control capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control handle is designed as a multi-functional device that can control various catheter features through different actuators. The housing and support structure serve universal purposes by providing mounting for multiple actuators and routing for multiple puller wires, enabling the same basic structure to support diverse control functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are integrated into a single control handle, then the control capability is improved, but the space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where multiple actuators are housed within a single control handle housing. The actuators are positioned in close proximity, with some components potentially nested within or adjacent to others, allowing multiple control mechanisms to occupy minimal space while maintaining independent functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The actuators are arranged in three-dimensional space within the housing, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions rather than simply extending linearly. This spatial arrangement allows multiple actuators to be compactly organized, reducing the overall footprint of the control handle while maintaining access to all control mechanisms
3Ease of manufacture
If existing control handle designs are used, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to complex procedures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle is segmented into distinct functional modules, with each actuator representing an independent control unit. This modular segmentation allows the base design to remain relatively simple while enabling incremental addition of control functions. Each actuator can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the housing, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving adaptability to complex procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device control handle or catheter includes deflection assembly and at least one of the following: a disk actuator, a lever actuator and a ring actuator for actuating additional puller wires in manipulation of multiple features of the medical device or catheter independently of each other. The disk actuator has a common rotational axis with but is rotationally independent of the deflection assembly. The lever actuator has a separate rotational axis. The ring is mounted outside of the control handle and rotatable relative to the control handle to actuate another puller wire for manipulating another feature of the catheter. Each of the disk, lever and ring actuators are of a design that allows existing control handles and catheters to be readily modified to include these actuators.