Medical Device Holding Assembly Single-Handed Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device holding assemblies for elongate devices like embolization coils are difficult to handle and require two people to manage, risking device integrity due to potential kinking or squashing, and complicate deployment operations.
Innovation Solution
A medical device holding assembly with a compact tubular holding element that winds the sheath in a spiral form, allowing it to be held within a planar cartridge, featuring a locking mechanism with embedded teeth and a pusher element, enabling single-handed handling and secure attachment to a catheter, reducing the risk of damage and simplifying deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the holding sheath is detached from the carrier before deployment, then the device can be accessed for deployment, but the risk of squashing or kinking increases and device integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The holding assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sealed distal portion containing the medical device within the holding sheath, and a proximal portion allowing access. The sealing member creates a barrier that maintains device integrity in the distal section while enabling controlled access from the proximal section.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element that selectively allows fluid communication between the holding sheath lumen and the exterior. It maintains device integrity by sealing when not in use, yet enables controlled access during deployment through its movable configuration.
2Reliability
If the holding sheath is handled by two people, then device integrity may be maintained, but the deployment operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The holding assembly merges the device containment function and the handling interface into a single integrated structure. The cartridge housing combines the holding sheath, sealing mechanism, and carrier into one unit that can be manipulated by a single operator while maintaining device integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the medical device during transport, maintains sterility through the sealing member, enables controlled deployment, and provides a user-friendly interface for single-handed operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple personnel.
3Ease of operation
If the holding sheath is made elongated to accommodate the medical device, then the device can be properly housed, but the length of sheath requiring handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding sheath is nested within the cartridge housing, which provides structural support and protection. This nested arrangement allows the sheath to be elongated enough to accommodate the medical device while the housing prevents excessive handling of the entire length, as the operator only needs to manipulate the proximal portion of the integrated assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A medical device holding assembly (50) includes a carrier sheath (52) which carries an endoluminal medical device such as an embolization coil (10). The assembly also includes a housing (54) including at least one holding element (56) to hold the sheath (52), and a fixation device (80) attached to the housing (54) and coupled to the sheath (52). The fixation device (80) includes a locking element (120) having an unlocked configuration which allows the sheath (52) to slide relative to the housing (54) and a locked configuration which fixes the sheath (52) to the housing (54). A lock actuator (90) is configured to lock permanently the locking element (120) into the locked configuration. As a result, the sheath (52) with the medical device (10) held therewithin cannot be removed from the holding assembly (50) during the deployment procedure, thereby ensuring that the procedure can be carried out by a single person and also protecting the integrity of the medical device (10) before it is deployed into a patient.