Medical Handle Assembly for Precise End Effector Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices face challenges in providing intuitive control and positioning during minimally invasive procedures, leading to prolonged procedures and potential injury due to device failure or breakage.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a handle assembly that includes a movable body and a fixed body, allowing for rotation and deflection of an end effector relative to the shaft, facilitated by actuators and actuation wires, enabling precise control and positioning through a combination of rotation and deflection mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a medical device uses a fixed handle structure, then the device structure is simple, but the control precision and positioning ability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidhandle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into a fixed body and a movable body that can rotate relative to each other. The fixed body remains stationary while the movable body provides rotational control of the end effector, enabling precise positioning without requiring the entire handle structure to be complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic structure where the movable body can rotate relative to the fixed body. This dynamic capability allows the end effector to be precisely positioned and oriented while maintaining a relatively simple overall handle design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the medical device allows rotation and deflection of the end effector, then the positioning ability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning abilityVSAvoidrotation and deflection mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is segmented into independent rotational and deflecting mechanisms. The movable body handles rotation while the deflecting mechanism handles angular adjustment, allowing each component to be optimized separately rather than requiring a single complex mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable body serves multiple functions: it rotates the end effector relative to the shaft, deflects the end effector to change its orientation, and can be locked in position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the handle assembly includes multiple actuators and actuation mechanisms, then the control precision is improved, but the ease of operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple control functions (rotation, deflection, positioning) are merged into a single movable body that the user manipulates. Instead of requiring separate actuators for each function, the movable body integrates these controls, improving ease of operation while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4670613A1Medical device handle assemblies
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 BOSTON SCI LTD
  • EP4670613A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4670613A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4670613A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A medical device (100), comprising: a handle (102) including a fixed body (106) and a movable body (104), wherein the movable body is movable relative to the fixed body; a shaft (108) extending from the fixed body; and an end effector (183) at a distal end of the shaft; and a pair of actuators (110) extending radially outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle; wherein, when the pair of actuators is in a fully extended state relative to the handle, the medical device is in an unactuated state, and when the pair of actuators is in a compressed state relative to the handle, the medical device is in an actuated state.